Slowing down & Taking up Space this Winter

Welcome to Winter. The most yin season there is.

You might find that the windows are fogging up, and it’s much colder than before. Your motivation to excel and be productive might also be lessened. That’s okay. Looking towards nature’s seasons is an excellent reminder of how we should live our own lives. You can’t always be in the fast lane or you burn out.

Winter is traditionally the time of hibernation. It’s an overall time of nurturing and looking after yourself. Allow yourself to make mistakes, and slow down during this season.

It’s a great time to reflect on what type of life you want to build for yourself. Imagine this life, how does it feel? What are you doing? Then break it down to daily habits that can get you there.

After all, our future, our health, and pretty much every aspect of ourselves are a product of our daily habits.

Want to feel better in you skin? Start breathing into the uncomfortable aspects of your body you don't like. Breath to the edge of discomfort, and stay there. What does it feel like? Make a home within yourself. Look at the ripples on your thighs and let it remind you or the ripples on water as we all come from nature.

Have some childhood trauma that you haven’t yet addressed but it rears its head as insecurity in your relationships and everyday life? Acknowledge the inner child within yourself, provide a safe and nurturing space for this child to reside. Pick an age for when this child needed more love, & attention that they didn’t get. Visualise meeting this child and giving them the love, attention, and safety they need. Visualise the younger you in a magical garden that is vibrant and healthy and they’re protected and safe. Do this until the child is playing and healthy in the garden.

Look after your physical body. Drink water, eat nourishing foods, and for the love of yourself please turn off Netflix and get enough sleep!

Use the quieter moments this month to reflect and speak kinder to yourself. Shine some light onto your insecurities, and do the shadow work for yourself.

If you create a kinder, loving environment for your soul to reside in you will emanate this love and kindness from your being. Whenever I’m in a situation or I’m feeling uncomfortable I remember these words from Brene Brown “Don’t puff up, don’t shrink. Just stand you sacred ground”. Often as a child we’re told we’re “too loud” or “in the way” and over time this can lead to the belief that we don’t belong or we’re not meant to be there. Saying a mantra like Brene’s can help overcome this unconscious belief.

You do belong, and you deserve to be here.

Allow yourself to slow down. Rest.

and goodness, let yourself take up space. Allowing your light to shine unconsciously gives others the same permission.