I am not a fan of New Year's resolutions. In fact, for the last decade I have intentionally not started anything new on Jan 1st but I have chosen to begin on the new moon closest to the end of the year. I have never felt as though January is the new year, this Gregorian calendar system does not resonate with me. I have always felt as if winter is the ending and the beginning of the year. The circular nature of the wheel of the year nourishes my spirit in a way I cannot describe.
This is one of the reasons the Wheel of the Year has felt more natural to me.
In the PNW, in January, we are in the center of our winter season. Its cold outside, the plants are dormant, and its dark and gloomy. This is not the signature of new-life, new-project or a new year to be honest. This is the energy of rest. This is the energy of resetting and restoring. This is the energy of slow. Why would we force ourselves to try to start a new routine or become a new person when we just barely completed a mind-blowingly busy holiday season.
When what we need most is rest. We need quiet, we need time for reflection. We need time to take a breath and check into our needs, wants and desires.
I was thinking about the inevitable new years resolutions I would see in the media and I thought I would put some out there that are more of a balm for my soul. We can all feel the angst and concern as we saunter into 2025. Anyone who is paying attention can see that humanity is a moment of intense change. I hope these images help soothe your heart a little bit.
To be ready for these changes, we need to make time for rest and restoration. Take time to calm your nervous system, to feed your body well, don’t overdo it this time of year. In the last half of the winter season make more time for sleep and take long walks in nature. Let your lack of resolution be an act of revolution as you push against the forces that call us to buy more stuff, starve our bodies and exhaust our minds with social media.
Happy Winter to you and yours
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