What are you feeding yourself?
February is not a month but a condition, so quipped a friend of mine. She has a point; we’re through January with all its hopes, resolutions and intentions for the new year, and now into the year proper.
But both climate and news have been pretty grey and depressing.
So how are you coping, and what are doing to push through?
Are you feeling pleased with yourself because you did dry January? Well done if you did. I can’t say I ever do it as I find it a too punitive way to start the year. I tend to wait until Lent when we’re heading into lighter days and nature is tiptoeing into life. That’s when I choose to fast something, usually alcohol, and my husband and I will have our annual argument about whether you can break it on Sundays; he says not, and I know you can. Regardless, there’s something soothing about knowing what creatures of habit we are, that these events are set in stone, yearly rituals that help give the year its texture.
It makes me think about how we do life, and how it feels better to go with the seasons, to align ourselves with them in the same way that we choose to eat more seasonally - who wants strawberries in February!
If we live true to the cycles of nature and embrace the natural rhythm of life that means changing our pace by slowing down in this season; in these last weeks of winter, we are still in the season of rest and reflect, before the blooming and growth of spring.
A hundred and fifty years ago, before the electric lightbulb became commonplace, our relatives would have slept eleven hours a night, going to bed at sunset and rising with the dawn. This feels right to me right now as I’m hunkered down writing my book. I’m embracing early nights and early morning walks with our new puppy. Not that it always feels easy; greeting the dawn, like cold showers, is never a joyous prospect, but as with many challenging things it has its payoff. I’ve found it a powerful way to support my mental health and sleep cycle. They say that the natural light helps regulate our internal clock, meaning it supports our circadian rhythm, plus the fresh air and exercise give us mood-enhancing boosts of serotonin and endorphins, which reduce stress and anxiety.
Added to this, I’ve become more intentional in wanting to nourish myself, not just through what I eat, but also through how I spend my time. My time is precious so I’m more aware of what I read, watch and listen to. Does it bring me peace? Is it uplifting, inspiring and enriching, or does it drag me into comparison, competitiveness and negativity?
Some podcasts I’ve been enjoying: Brene’ Brown’s Dare to Lead; Laurie Santos’ The Happiness Lab; Tim Keller; Chris Williamson’s Modern Wisdom; Craig Groeschel’s Leadership.
Film: Bridget Jones
Food: a lot of potato and leek soup.
What things are you doing to align yourself with the season and feed yourself?
