tis’ the season…
hi friends
it is December 1. woah. I’m letting that sink in as I type and I truly cannot believe it.
Many say around this time of year the phrase written obnoxiously large above, “tis the season” and I’m here to share, I believe this saying needs an extension & a lot less pressure.
To me, ‘tis the season to be …
jolly.
generous.
indulgent.
surrounded by family, friends & those you love.
feeling a bit more aware of blessings and glimmers around you (even if those glimmers are simply your neighbors Xmas lights, they are there & glimmering).
you name it_____.
…may be helpful to be extended throughout the entire year.
I share this for a few reasons.
One, I believe the idea that it is just a season to feel this way adds a lot of pressure when you may be feeling the exact opposite of the above mentioned. For many, the holidays can bring about a wide array of emotions & feelings and the pressure of making this time of year everything I’ve listed above is just not possible. By applying this mindset to just this time of year, when I may feel the opposite can be really hard for me. May we recognize when we can and do feel/are capable of having the above+ and also offer ourselves the chance to honor right where we and others may be, especially when that is not in the realm of concentrated jolly.
My invitation to you is to hold yourself with compassion and tenderness as you feel exactly as you feel. Know that everyday is an opportunity to cease the ‘tis the season’ mindset, not just the month of December. exhale that pressure right on out of your orbit.
Two, I believe the scarcity mindset of the rest of the year not offering this opportunity may create the idea that the jolly spirt associated with this month is like a pie, that it is finite. Truth is, it is certainly not. The extension of ‘holiday spirit’ is infinite and yours to spread any day of the gosh darn year. Sprinkle that spirit whenever you darn well please and lay it on me heavy in February/March when I may be needing it most (please & thank you!).
Lastly, while we are 30 days away from 2024, please do not let the approaching new year bring about any unnecessary pressure to do/accomplish/be anything other than who you are, just as you are, right where you are. Be in this now, embrace this now, love this now you. The 365 day calendar year was determined by Julius Caesar in 45 B.C. and that was a looooonnnggg, loooooonggg time ago. While there are niceties of a 365 day year for the seasons and all, release the pressure you need to be anywhere else other than right here, in your now version, loving all of you, in all of your seasons, in all of your days, in all of your moments for all of your days. Break out of the box of 365 days. Break into the freedom of a liberated life without the confines of 365 day cap.
Wherever you are this season, I am holding space for you just as you are and sending peaceful, patient and loving energy to you. xoxo.
Now, for some practical tips for health through this month and beyond:
Hydrate con agua, por favor. Winter can make us feel less like drinking water, please do yourself a favor and focus on adequate hydration.
Stop restricting foods. Instead, I invite you to START eating with awareness. While you ‘indulge’ in your favorites, pull yourself to awareness of actually eating and enjoy this favorite choice you’ve made. Take a few deep breaths prior to eating and pull yourself into the moment. Why? For no other reason than pure enjoyment, as you embrace the moment of awareness in a choice you made to bring joy.
Say no. Do you feel stretched to the max? Allow yourself to hit pause when you get another invite. Consider your truth on if this opportunity/experience will be a bucket-filler or a bucket-leak. Move forward saying no to any leaks with confidence and recognize THIS is self-care and, honey, it’s free.
Connect with me to chat about how I can support you live in optimal health. I’m here for you and open for clients :)
As always, immense gratitude to each of you for reading,caitlin
TLDR:Let’s stretch out ‘tis the season mindset all year long and release the pressure to apply all this jolly spirit (that you may not have) to the next 31 days. Hold yourself with compassion and tenderness as you feel exactly as you feel, know that everyday is an opportunity to cease the ‘tis the season mindset, not just the month of December.
Practical tips for health through this month and beyond:
Hydrate, aim for as close to you your body weight in ounces as possible
Stop restricting, instead choose awareness.
Say no, it’s a beautiful form of self-care.
