Hibernation Reflections
with 6 invitations for this Winter season.
The gregorian calendar might say it’s the New Year - a time where we’re inundated with goal setting, word choosing, ‘new year, new you’ type of encouragements. Does that resonate with you? It doesn’t for me anymore.
Every year, I too, sit down, contemplate on big life questions, and create a vision board whilst sharing food with my friends; but this time around, something felt off. It felt different. It didn’t feel as aligned. Don’t get me wrong, I had a wonderful time in great company. It’s the process that felt off.
Choosing to live in sync with Nature’s cycles, I currently find myself in major hibernation mode, constantly reflecting within. I’m consuming more words than writing them out. I’m nourishing my body with comfort foods and sipping on warm and creamy beverages. I can’t get enough of animal cuddles, and I’m lighting lots of candles.
My body isn’t ready to birth new goals, work on new projects or even be excited about the ‘new’ that this time supposedly should bring. When my body says no, I now listen (you can read that post here). To me, it doesn’t feel new at all in my environment. It feels dormant. Looking outside my big bedroom window, nature is telling me to wait. It’s telling me to ponder, to rest, to notice, to feel, to nourish, and to reach for the comforts that will carry me through the winter months. It’s telling me to slow the fuck down.
Spring screams ‘new’. More specifically: Imbolc (also known as St.Brigid’s Day). Even before I knew anything about this February 1st Pagan celebration, It has always been a time where I would notice a shift in my body and in Nature. The buds of the trees start showing and there’s this uplifting and hopeful energy that starts to emerge.
We live in a society built completely differently from Nature’s synchronicities that doesn’t enable us to hibernate like a bear during the entire winter months. Wouldn’t that be nice? That’ll be another post for another week.
And so for this January I’ve decided that I can still make shifts that make sense to my body with what’s feasible. And so if you are feeling the same way. If this resonates with you. If you also want to move slowly during hibernation months, here are my invitations for you - invitations that I have come up with for myself:
Once a week, take a few minutes to ponder on the following questions. I like Mondays, but choose a day that works for you! Listen to your body, here! How does it respond when you think about these? Pay attention to body parts that sends you signals. If emotions come up, let them flow in and take note. If images show up, let them also flow in and take note.
a. What do I need to feel grounded this week?
b. What is something to let go of this week, to make space for that need?
c. If I cannot let go of it, can I delegate it or push it forward when I’ll have capacity?
d. What is 1 thing I’ve learned from last week, and how can I make that change/shift into this week?
Find 1 thing to be grateful for every day. I know you see this everywhere, and there’s reasons for that. Gratitude felt in the body really does make a world of a difference. Maybe this is your reminder to get back into it - like me!
Switch things up! Whether that’s taking your laptop in a different part of the house to work; switch pieces of furniture around; taking a different route to get to your destination; trying a new trail for your walk; or trying a new coffee brand, making small changes can be revitalizing. It can uplift our moods during these winter months without making big and expensive changes.
Join an online program that calls to you. Right now, there’s a buffet of them! And even lots of free geat ones. Do you like to draw? Do you like to play guitar? Do you like to read books? Do you like meditation & journaling? Find one that sparks an interest for you. I say online because the goal right now is to hibernate, but if you’re done with the digital world and want to join an in-person group, go ahead, and meet-up!
Breathe fresh air. It might not necessarily be tempting right now. It’s cold, muggy, and there’s not a whole lot of sun (well, in Ottawa anyways). But It doesn’t have to be complicated. An open window can even do the trick! But breathing in that fresh cold air has a way to really ground you into your body. Trust me! And if there’s a sun shining, it’s a absolute bonus. Make sure to spread your limbs wide and soak it in!
Stay connected. Have some people over for a Hygge-inspired evening; set a time to video chat with a friend; text a loved-one; or even go old-fashion on them and revive the lost art of writing letters. Regardless of what you choose, stay connected with people. Don’t completely isolate yourself. Hibernation can be done in community, and frankly, it’s a SAD saviour.
Most importantly, don’t judge yourself for choosing to let go of things, not setting goals, not joining the gym, or choosing to rest more than showing up. If Nature can do it, so should you!
How have you been feeling about the gregorian New Year?
Is there 1 thing from the list above that you’re thinking of trying?
I would love to open up the conversation.