As we come to the end of one year and a new one begins... a time to start a fresh, leave behind what no longer serves us and yesterday, Monday 21st December marked the Winter Solstice - a celebration of new beginnings and light.
This time of year can feel quite dark for some of us, with the shorter days, less daylight and the colder weather. I certainly feel my mood changing with the seasons and at this time of year. It's called seasonal affective disorder (for short know as SAD) and I use a sad light to brighten up my desk and my mood this time of year. I also make changes to my daily routine, to allow more time for rest, sleep and offer more restorative yoga pratices, to promote and highlight the benefits of rest at this time of year.
The Winter Solstice is actually the shortest day of the year with the fewest hours of daylight.
There wouldn't be day without night and it is a balance of opposites that allows us to experience and know the other.
I am very much about not waiting for the new year, to start a fresh, set new intentions and put all the pressure on yourself in January - as explained in my previous blog "Let those Janaury Expectations go!".
Instead start at any point throughout the year, when you feel the need for change! When it is relevant for you and not 'waiting' for the perfect moment. You know when it is time and you are the 'creator or your own life, no one else is going to do this for you. No job, no person, no 'things', money, or waiting for the right time, is going to change things for you, you have to be brave and go with your gut!
Usually this time of year around the Winter Soltice we often can feel like change is needed and it is a good time to reflect and spend some time asking yourself "am I fulfilled and happy right now?" Don't wait and put all the pressure on yourself to make big changes at the start of a new year, start making changes NOW.
The Winter Soltice is a pivotal moment in the natural world, marking the shortest day and is celebrated in many ancient cultures and traditions. It marks the sun starting to return to stength, symbolising 'renewal', hope and time to celebrate the 'tirumph' of light over darkness.
I like to think of it as a great time and opportunity to think about "what lights you up" and makes you feel alive. To also reflect on where you are, what needs to change, to move you towards that light and awaken your soul again.
It may mean slowing down for a bit to take some time to think clearly and be able to see the oppotunities in front of you.
In my yoga classes this week I have encouraged my students to focus on 'what lights them up' and makes them feel alive, inspired and excited.
It is a great way to start creating a vision... and moving towards a new phase of your life!
Natures rhythms and the journey
The Winter Soltice is about 'transition' and a shift from darkness into the light. It is a time of introspection where we 'pause' and take time to contemplate our journey. Feeling and expressing gratidue for the past, experiences and journey that got us to where we are now, then setting new goals and intensions for the next phase of our lives.
Nature plays a big part of the celebrations and traditions of the Winter Soltice and transitional period and what I love is it reminds us about the internconnectivness between humans and the natural world.
Lots of traditions focus on the alignment and rhythms of nature like the natural cycles and patterns such as 'light' and 'dark', seasons, the moon, the tides (eb and flow) and animal rhythms. Encouraging us to live in harmony with nature.
A good way to do this is, to simply spend time outside, whether that be by water listening to the sounds of a flowing river or waves, being amoungst trees or sleeping longer (hybernating, like the rest of the animal kingdom). It helps us to feel more connected and grounded.
So the Winter Soltice, is often a natural time to feel a 'shift' happening and a great opportunity for change, or at least reflection to start towards a new journey.
To look forward to new things and manifesting a life you want!
Create your own light
Untimately you are the creator of your world!
You are brave
You are worth it
Listen to your heart
Go with your gut
You can do anything
You just need to start...
So "What lights you up?"
Try asking yourself this every day for the next two weeks and see what comes up, have fun with it, don't hold back, think big... and small. Write it all down and go 'bonkers' with it, make it fun, share it with someone and here's some suggestions on how to get you started:
Create a Vision Board - and put everything on it!
Journal your thoughts regulary (daily if you can) reminding yourself of your goals and exploring the things you want to manifest and what no longer serves you
Do more of the things that make you feel happy
Share with a friend your ideas, aspirations and brainstorm some ideas
Set yourself short term and long term goals (with deadlines) - and stick to them!
Make a plan and list what you need to do to work towards these goals.
Be brave and bold and accept that some things will need to go (to create space for the new)
Start small and build up to your vision and ultimate goal (be realistic)
Keep your eyes peeled in the next week, when I share my story of a transitional point in my life, where everything changed when I asked myself "what lights me up"
Big love and be kind to yourself... remember 'change is just a part of life' and you are always changing, so go with it x
Amanda
Thankyou so much for your beautiful post Amanda.xxxx