Dear Listeners,
When I think about December, I picture a triple-stuffed, thick, chewy sandwich—something like those double-stuffed cookies you can buy. The month presents itself as one thing but ends up delivering three, four, or even five times its usual payload. Needless to say, I’m glad to see it winding down, and I deeply appreciate the pause that seems to hover in the air right before the new year begins.
New Year’s itself hasn’t been a major focus for me in a long time. Transitions—those moments of endings and beginnings—happen all the time. It’s really about where you choose to place your attention. The end of the calendar year is one option, sure, but birthdays, solstices, full or new moons, or even the first of each month can all serve as meaningful transitions.
If there’s a theme I’m sensing for 2025, it’s old patterns ending and new ones beginning. Some people follow the stars for guidance, and while I take those cues lightly, I do believe we have a choice: we can either become disheartened by change—especially when it feels chaotic or turbulent—or we can prepare for it, like bracing for a storm. If rain is coming, wear boots, expect to get wet, and make time to dry off.
In terms of mental health, that preparation looks like this: Get quiet. Turn inward. Tune in (instead of tuning out). Rest when you need it.
So my invitation as this year wraps up and we prepare to move into 2025 is simple: Rest deeply.
Just rest. Eat nourishing food. Move your body. Meditate. Nap. Read. Love—love something, anything. If you don’t have someone in your life you feel you can love, love a cloud, love a flower, a bird, a tree, a cat. Love yourself, or your toe.
Today’s meditation is one you can return to throughout the year—a reclined meditation. If you fall asleep, it just means you needed the rest. If you deeply relax while staying awake, then you’ve landed in a good place. If you’re mind is still running, that’s ok too, you’re just like the rest of us… simply notice it and repeat the practice, no problem.
Think of this as a restorative meditation. One which may help support your mood. You might lay flat on your back, put your feet up a wall (discussed here on a prior post Viparita Karani), or settle into a supported reclined position (see below). A small hand towel over your eyes can help dim the light and signal your body to unwind.
It’s been quite a year, and there’s another lively one ahead. Make sure you take some time out, even if its brief. You deserve rest.
Thank you for listening, and as always, take care of yourself.
this is a fantastic illustration of a supported reclined pose, it takes a few minutes to set up. You don’t have to get as fancy, at minimum lay on a blanket and roll a towel under the knees. Please read more here at HighBrow.
happy new year
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