The longest night of the year is upon us, and I am ready for winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
In fact, I embrace it.
In fact, I embrace it.
The cold.
The short days (although, they will begin to grow long again by the new year).
The end of a 12 month life chapter.
And most of all, rest.
I may be a mid-summer baby. But winter is my season.
That said, this is not the season for everyone.
The darkness can be a scary place.
Just as the almighty Sun can be hard to ease into in the bitter cold, so, too, can unwanted thoughts, difficult feelings, hard emotions, and isolated time indoors.
The truth is, no one really thrives in winter. I embrace it because it is the only time of year where I - we - have permission to move at a slower pace.
But for some, stillness means confronting things that are best avoided, i.e., anxiety, grief, and depression.
And so, as we "solstice," remember the restless.
Remember our sisters and brothers who must work a little harder to make it through these months.
Remember that sadness can walk around with a smile on its face.
And as you preserve your energy for spring, be sure to put some of it toward a phone call, coffee date, or a simple check-in with those who need a little light in the dark.
Solstice blessings.
National Suicide Hotline: 1.800.273.TALK (8255)
The short days (although, they will begin to grow long again by the new year).
The end of a 12 month life chapter.
And most of all, rest.
I may be a mid-summer baby. But winter is my season.
That said, this is not the season for everyone.
The darkness can be a scary place.
Just as the almighty Sun can be hard to ease into in the bitter cold, so, too, can unwanted thoughts, difficult feelings, hard emotions, and isolated time indoors.
The truth is, no one really thrives in winter. I embrace it because it is the only time of year where I - we - have permission to move at a slower pace.
But for some, stillness means confronting things that are best avoided, i.e., anxiety, grief, and depression.
And so, as we "solstice," remember the restless.
Remember our sisters and brothers who must work a little harder to make it through these months.
Remember that sadness can walk around with a smile on its face.
And as you preserve your energy for spring, be sure to put some of it toward a phone call, coffee date, or a simple check-in with those who need a little light in the dark.
Solstice blessings.
National Suicide Hotline: 1.800.273.TALK (8255)
