After the hustle and bustle of summer, I have found myself tuning in to what helps me wind down. I am thinking about the important things in life, but looking at them from a different angle. Getting ready to settle into a new rhythm for the slower months ahead – have you been feeling the same?
I simply cannot wait for the darker evenings. For that glorious period of darkness, where I can go within and reflect on what I’ve learned in the lighter half of the year. Although, I wasn’t always like this, I had to learn to embrace the darkness – so to speak.
If you are like me, you may ask yourself – what can I do to slow down? And so, let me share with you some things that help me ease into this new pace.
Discover a New Recipe
Autumn/Winter is yin season – representing female, earth, the dark and the cold. It is the time we all want to be indoors, layered up and cosy. Why not try out a new nourishing recipe to nurture your soul. Recently, I have been exploring Ayurvedic foods and how they can heal and benefit my body. It has been so much fun! I highly recommend a hearty lentil stew as a starting point,
Meditation
Go within and trust. Give yourself permission to listen to that inner knowing. Find your new rhythm by listening to your body. Breathe, sleep, walk, eat, pray – whatever it is that brings you back to yourself, as life is our real meditation. Listen to what your inner voice or your inner child is guiding you to do. May it bring you calm.
“Learn to be calm and you will always be happy” – Paramahansa Yogananda
Embrace the Darkness
As ominous as it sounds, there comes a time we must accept the darkness of the short evenings. It can shine a light from within on how we really feel and what we genuinely want in life. When we sit with what’s umcomfortable, sometimes more emotional aspects of who we are reveal themselves. And this can propel us forward on our path. I like to think that, in a way, we are just like seeds. We too need the dark to germinate so we can flourish again.
Learn a New Skill
Learning new skills improves our wellbeing and helps us to build a sense of purpose, as well as helping us to connect with others. I’m fortunate that my local community hosts a variety of classes and gatherings. From céilí dancing and needle work to pilates and badminton. If you’re looking for a new challenge, check out my Rising Star training and initiation course coming up on November 5th.
Journalling
This is a wonderful way to reduce stress and anxiety, bring clarity to your thoughts and find inspiration. Recently I was falling into the old pattern of waiting for external permission when my internal guidance was saying something quite different all along. Thankfully, I stopped, sat and journalled. And I found great comfort in channelling a beautiful piece of writing I look forward to sharing with you soon.
SHARON QUINN 