Winter Rituals
It is going to happen tomorrow… The first day of spring, making this the last day of winter. It can be easy to want to move past the cold and dreary seasons along to the ones that may inspire you to become daring in your dreams and desires, or just to live life to what you deem to be the “fullest”.
The truth is every season serves a purpose, just as every phase of life serves a purpose. We are part of the world around us, and sometimes it is easy to forget that our energy levels and feelings can change with the seasons too.
It is hard to remember and see the purpose from past memories of suffering. Whether it was from being picked on by middle-school bullies, having your heart broken by your first love, or being betrayed by your best friend; it can be challenging to see the silver lining. More than seeing a silver lining, it can be hard to even see what the purpose was from those experiences. At times, you may even wish you could fast forward through the painful times, or delete unwanted memories. However, I want to encourage you by telling you that you are not defined by your past.
Winter serves as a time to let things die. From the trees, to the flowers that covered your paths during summer time hikes, they all died during this season of winter. What seems like death all around is really a conservation and repurposing of energy created and stored.
On this rainy day in San Jose, California— yes, I said rainy. I have my window open, candles lit, and i’m covered in a long sleeve shirt, warm fleece sweater, and exterior flannel to name a few things.
Why am I telling you this? I want to paint this picture of embracing what is left of winter 2022. It is almost gone, and with that it is the perfect time to embrace all of our passed flaws, hurt feelings, and mistakes given or received. Hold it close, like a mother holding a distraught toddler, and ask this hurt part of yourself what you need to let go.
I encourage you to take this energy that you stored during the winter and reflect on how you would like to TRANSFORM it. You know yourself better than anyone else does. Ask earnestly of your soul what it needs and desires to live the most fulfilled life you can.
It is challenging to go through traumatic parts of life, but I believe that it gives us the opportunity to do things differently in the future, be a light unto others going through similar trials, and to be hopeful in what there is to come. Below are 5 tips, rituals, and mantras that may help you finish this season with humility, strength, and reverence for all parts of life!
5 Winter Rituals
Rest and Reflect
Sleep in this last day of winter! Enjoy staying snuggled under a warm blanket with fuzzy socks on your feet a little longer than normal if you wish! The hallmark of winter included longer nights and colder days. Feel free to celebrate it by thoroughly enjoying your rest time. Like bears that will soon be coming out of hibernation, spring is around the corner and you will be getting busier before you know it.
Take time to breathe and reflect on the achievements and losses of your previous year, and hold space for those feelings. Then release them with love. You may not see it now, but everything has served a purpose to change you as a person and the way you view life. You can’t choose the experiences you had, but you can decide what you are going to do with them. You can carry your losses and let them weight you down, or take the courage to take the first step to let go of the things that are harming you.
You are a beautiful being and I’d like to encourage you to provide a sanctuary within yourself to harbor the emotion of gratitude for all you have, and compassion for all of your feelings. Sometimes being heard is enough, even if you are the only one listening.
Mantra: “Staying rested I find comfort in myself, being compassionate I build a sanctuary within.”
Walk and Observe
As you prepare you first cup of Joe or tea, I want to encourage you to meander around your home. You can begin with gazing outside of your window at home and preparing yourself mentally for all there is to come. Take time to see if there are things you need to take care of or would like to complete before the season begins. Ask yourself, “How would I like to start off this next season?” and answer it in a journal.
Mantra: “Breathing in I am home, breathing out I am calm”
Get grounded in nature
The world is changing all around you, open your eyes and look around! There are new leaves forming on the branches of trees, different species of wild flowers that are beginning to bud, and bees are eagerly seeking the pollen of the cherry blossoms. Not to mention new neighbors are moving in! Birds begin chirping more as heralds for spring. Observing these miracles of life may encourage you to change your perspective of different situations that you are going through right now.
Also, nature is a cleanser. So if you have some baggage or stress you need to let go of, this is the place to do it. Take a breath of the fresh air, and remember you are alive!Mantra: “When I look I can see; when I hear I can listen.”
Consume warm things
There is no better way to appreciate the comfort of a warm bowl or soup, than a cold day outside. Fully immerse yourself in this last day of winter with a hearty vegetable stew and a cup of tea. Also, blueberries mixed with some rolled oats are a healthy alternative to a slice of blueberry pie! Get this next season started on the right foot!
Mantra: “There is nothing more delicious than something warm on a cold day”
Meditate by candle light
Try and get some alone time tonight to reflect on your day and write down the things that you let go of and maybe some ideas for the next season. Tomorrow begins planting time, so please think about things you would like to grow in your life for the rest of the year! It could be rekindling friendships, picking up old hobbies that brought your joy, or learning something new. Find a few things and take it from there. Spring is almost here, but winter is still yours tonight.
Mantra: “I choose to let go of something old, to make way for something new”
Feel free to let me know if you found this to be helpful!