Perhaps it's enough to simply be: end of fall roundup

How to find rest and recoup as we enter winter this week

Hi, beautiful friends! It’s been a minute since I’ve posted a regular newsletter, but ya know, life.

Creativity isn’t a linear path — it’s one that ebbs and flows. Our world preaches consistency, which is great, but isn’t always realistic with a creative practice. We need rest to balance out the work. We need reflection time to balance out the experimentation. Breaks are good and valid.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m not quite sure what the regularity of this newsletter holds for me, but I’m trying to let that go. To let this be what it originally was; a place to experiment and have fun, and hopefully share some words that are helpful to you. To let go of any tightly held vision and to simply enjoy the road as it unfolds in front of us.

Cheers to the season ahead!

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Embracing the winter ahead

The main thesis of this newsletter is to prepare ourselves for the winter ahead. Today is the winter solstice (marking the first day of winter, and the shortest day of the year), and is the beginning of Capricorn season. Capricorn sets off our trio of mini zodiac seasons (Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces) that are all about rooting and grounding ourselves, and getting comfortable with who we are.

The biggest theme of winter is to find restoration. In the busy season of holidays and year-end goal setting, rest can feel difficult. But we can listen to the season outside, turning inward and quieting ourselves. It’s a time to get to know who we are, what we want, and what we want to leave behind. To get clear on where we want to go, so we can take those steps confidently forward as we gain energy and momentum.

Winter gets a bad reputation for being dark and dreary — and it can be. But today is the shortest day of the year, and it only gets brighter from here. We’ve made it through the darkness and are on the way up. The only way out is through, and it’s time to celebrate where we’ve been.

When it comes to restoration, perhaps it’s enough to just take care of ourselves.

I have a nasty habit of waking up, and immediately making my to do list for the day. In our society, we often think that more = better, and productivity = good.

On days where I wake up and don’t have much filling my schedule, a sense of dread can enter my brain. My jaw feels tight and my mind races, looking for scraps of productivity and self-directed events to schedule my day with. I’m tying my worth to what I can do, instead of who I can be.

Winter is our time to challenge this notion. To eschew typical productivity; to perhaps look at rest as the productive thing. We aren’t machines; without rest, we burn out and exhaust ourselves.

Maybe it’s enough to take care of your mind and body, and put those things first every day. Go for a walk. Do some stretches. Pet the dog. Read a book. Eat nourishing food. Learn something new. Maybe once we do this, the other stuff comes easier. What we want to create just flows. And maybe it doesn’t. And maybe just doing is enough. Winter is the time to try out putting yourself first.

I think most folks who have pets know what it’s like to get excited over the most basic stuff. I’m sure it’s like this for those who have small children, too. To watch through their eyes as they learn to fulfill their needs, and to take care of themselves. I love to watch my cat lay in a sun patch, closing her eyes with bliss (or as close to bliss as a feline gets). Watching herself lick her paws and take care of her cleanliness prompts me to tell her “good kitten!” I get excited for my dog — who is wonderfully picky with her food — when she actually wanders over to her food bowl to eat something on her own.

Why is it that we are so proud of others (and other species) for achieving something so base level — but it’s so difficult to extend that to ourselves?

In winter, we can get used to the idea that taking care of ourself is more than enough. Perhaps once you take care of yourself, the rest falls into place. 

If you’re looking for inspiration, here’s few things that are working for me in my routine right now:

• Morning movement/stretches to get into my body

• Weekly card pulls to anchor myself

• Marking the turn of the day on my paper calendar to remind myself to begin anew

• (Mostly) daily walks to free up my brain space

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Your Winter Solstice intention setting pack:

Remember when “starter packs” were cool on Twitter? That’s how I felt putting this stuff together. Here’s some cool resources I’ve been working on over the past few weeks that could be helpful if you’re searching for reflection in this restful time.

Downloadable reflections:

2024 Lunar Calendar & Reflection Guide

This calendar + guide kit gives you the tools to visually remind yourself of the current lunar cycle throughout the year, and includes 1) a beautifully designed, minimal 2024 moon phase poster (for at-home or professional printing), 2) a detailed printable moon phase guide, and 3) a printable intention setting guide for the year ahead.

Winter Intentions (free!)

A 30+ page guide to setting your goals and intentions for the 2023/24 winter season. Part educational resource, part workbook, and full written accountability buddy.

Somatic Reflection:

Capricorn Season Yoga.

A short reflective flow led by yours truly :)

… with accompanying Spotify playlist.

Enjoy, my lovely friends, and find rest on this magical day!