This time of year can be rough on alot of us here in the northern part of the northern hemisphere. It’s cold, the days are short, it’s dark early in the day, and it’s the start of a new calendar year. We’ve set resolutions and goals and feel like we are supposed to be in a go go, get it done mode.

Unfortunately, our bodies are just not naturally made for that right now. We find ourselves in hibernation mode and many will lose motivation and feel like we’ve failed in our goals and resolutions before we really even had a chance to get them rolling.

Take a breath. You are not failing by feeling the need to rest. We are supposed to be resting right now. You may have come across posts that talk about the new year should really be in the spring, and there’s a reason for that! Our DNA remembers when we were hunkered down, surviving the winter, not starting new projects. So this blog is all about having love and compassion for yourself during this time.

Winter is a time for going inside, both physically and mentally. Now, I know, we have jobs and responsibilities and things we can’t just hibernate from as much as we’d like to sometimes, but we can do things for our mental and physical wellbeing.

Take some time and meditate. Meditation can look different for everyone and there’s really no wrong way to do it. So give yourself some grace, take some quiet time, listen to some healing hz music (I like 528), and let yourself be for a moment. It’s ok if your mind wanders, set the intention that you wander in to what you need. Ask your body what it needs for the day and listen to the answers! If you find you have a hard time relaxing, try some essential oils like lavendar and chammomile, just be sure to dilute or diffuse. I personally don’t enjoy the smell of the most calming oils, but have found MyFerrLady’s Magickally Calm rubbed on the back of my neck is amazing!

Once a week try to get in a hot, soaky bath. Make it detoxing by throwing in 1 cup each of epsom salt, baking soda, diatomaceous earth or bentonite clay, and a splash of apple cider vinegar.

Remember to breathe. The breath itself is so healing. Try box breathing, it helps calm the body as well as the mind. Breathe in to a count of 5, hold it 5, breathe out for 5, and hold again for 5. Do this multiple times throughout the day.

Celebrate your wins. All your wins, including getting up in the morning. Practice gratitude, looking for all the things big and small in your life. And most importantly, give yourself grace, love, and compassion. Not every day feels like a win, but you can find the littles things that add up.

As for any resolutions made, I’m not saying let those go. If it’s something important to you, but is feeling unachieveable or out of reach or in any way overwhelming, it’s just another great place to practice love and compassion for yourself. Rather than looking at it as a whole, ask yourself what is the first small step I need to make? Focus only on that first step. Breathe. Rest when you need to rest. It’s ok! You’ve got this!

If you’d like to give MyFerrLady’s Magickally Calm a try, you can find it here: MyFerrLady’s Magickally Calm | MyFerrLady’s Magical Boutique