Slowing Down

Hello just a quick message from me today :)

I am coming to you a few days behind my usual Sunday evening schedule, but I am allowing myself to continue showing up imperfectly. December is halfway over (I know!), and we are making our way to the winter solstice, the shortest day out of our year. This darker period can be a great time to dive deeper into self exploration, finding more moments of stillness, and slowing down, mirroring the natural world which is also in a time of slowing down. While this season can be a time where busyness and holiday rush is pushed on you, you might notice all the places where you are invited to slow down. Here are some examples.

-take a slow drive around your neighborhood or local area admiring the Christmas lights.

-disconnect from fast media sources and log off of social media platforms. Find a slower form of entertainment such as reading, crafting, baking, etc.

- pause and enjoy the weather. I know this can be hard if you don't particularly enjoy the cold or the snow. However, you might choose to pause and look around you the next time you are outside or even driving.

-take your time enjoying holiday meals, songs or other activities without the pressure to get through as many things as possible.

It is amazing to see all the ways we are connected to the weather and the natural world around us. It is a great reminder to see how interconnected we are with the Earth and with each other. I like to use the weather as a signal to come out of autopilot. There have been many time I am caught rushing from one errand to the next over and over and I end the day feeling burnt out. I call these autopilot or robot days, as I don't feel fully human and plugged into the world when I am rushing around stuck in my own head and checking off to do lists. I love when I step outside and the weather forces me to pay attention. You feel the cold on your face, wind blowing, or rain falling on your skin. You might see snowflakes drifting down to the earth or the skies clearing and some blue peeking through. This is essentially using mindfulness techniques to notice what is happening in your moment to moment experiences (hooray for practicing mindfulness!). You might notice yourself using these same techniques when you are in your yoga or meditation practices to pull you out of auto pilot as well so you can leave your practice feeling more refreshed and connected with yourself despite what has been going on in your day so far.

Here is a mindfulness practice you can try building on this month. You might choose to intentionally set or write down a few phrases to say to yourself while you are out and about this season. Whether you are shopping, decorating, traveling, or hosting this season you can use this phrase to reground yourself and take a pause. Here are some phrases you can try out or choose to make some yourself. "I have all the time I need and I can go at my own pace", "I can take a break if I need to at any time", "I am allowed time for myself", and a big one here "not all tasks have to be done OR not all tasks have to be done by me". If you like to journal you might write your phrases out to remember or you can set a reminder on your phone to pause and reground. The next time you are feeling yourself rushing through your day or a task you might 1. pause and take three deep breaths 2. say one of these phrases to yourself, and 3. notice either your feet on the ground or where your body meets the surface underneath it. May this three step embodiment practice serve to keep you grounded and mindful amidst the holiday and family rush. Slowing down gives you more time to enjoy this season and spend time with yourself and your loved ones. I hope you can create some space and time for yourself these last few weeks this month.

If you want some help slowing down you can come catch a class with me anytime over the next week and a half. There are three classes a day offered M-Thurs. so pop in if you would like at any time.

I hope you and your loved ones are happy and healthy and until next time,

-Janae

P.S If being on social media around the holidays is triggering the comparison game in your head you might choose to log off or even temporarily delete the app from your phone all together.