you know, driven to succeed energy They may not have a settled relationship with rest, because it's not your natural tendency. And as a result, you may feel very uncomfortable with winters call to slow down and rest. Or maybe you might feel unsafe doing this, since society tells us will surely fail or be a failure if we do. Right? Culturally, that might be the message you've been given. Not to mention also that schedule slowing business closures, vacation time, and access to other forms of leisure is not afforded to all and in large part, you know, those being bipoc, folks. So, my friend, I have a big radical thought for you to consider today. Within the intersection of your identities, your experiences, your access to resources, how can you begin to reframe the way you view and approach the winter season as three full months of time, that includes the second half of December, all of January, all of February, and the first half of March for your reflection, rest, recalibration, rejuvenation and imagining, because if you're listening to this, when this episode drops in mid January, that means we have two full months more of winters vibe. I mean, you know, you could also consider climate change, and the fact that today when I'm recording this, you know, it's gonna get to 50 degrees here in January in New Jersey, and then be back down to, you know, 30 degrees soon, like, it just fluctuates. And sometimes we have springtime here in the winter, right, putting that aside, because that's a whole thing, but a whole nother tangent, we don't have time to go on. We still have two months of winters vibe left. So how can you slow your pace, or purposefully tune in and endeavor to meet your needs, in the smallest sweetest ways possible? Because that's all that Winter is calling us to, not big, not fast, not shiny, Swan sweet. Because the reality is my friend, remember, society's pace is not going to slow down, and we cannot keep up with it anyway. Not that we're meant to write. Your Bing is telling you exactly what it needs every day and every moment of the day. Or let's be for real, maybe you're not really sure what your being is calling out for because you're so accustomed to bypassing your needs. Because society's pace and expectations aren't aligned with them. That's not your fault. This is the way society was designed to be. This is capitalism at work. This is all the isms at work. So my friend, I encourage you to get quiet and begin tuning into what your being is calling for shouting for. And consider what is your truth that you've been moving and doing and burning out that you need rest and to rest more often. But don't feel comfortable to or know how to that you're constantly pushed out of your comfort zone by society's breakneck speed. And you thrive though more in a calmer, steady environment. So you're feeling more exhausted by trying to slow things down and failing. Not because you're not trying hard enough by the way. Or maybe it's that you've been pushing forward to succeed with incredibly high expectations of yourself and others and critical of yourself and others along the way. That you really need space and softness, but there's no time or room for cultivating that without falling behind or missing the mark. Does any of that resonate? And remember, anytime I'm asking you questions, anytime I'm reflecting back to you. Anytime I'm asking you or encourage you to go deeper Remember, it's with zero judgment or expectation of from me. And guilt and shame are not even factors that we can welcome into the room at all. I've got to tell you, friend, I've got to remind you because you know this the shift you so deeply desire is possible. And this this this type winter, whether you're in the cold or you're still in a kind of, you know, warmer place where the shifts in winter are more subtle. This is the time to start the internal conversation with yourself of how to create the plan. To do it, this is the time to create room to breathe fully and deeply, to lean into the spaciousness of the atmosphere and simply just to be to be dormant, slow moving, reflective, contemplative. And when I say that, when you hear those words and consider that invitation, how do you feel? Like yes, let's do it. Or like, yes, but shit stuff? Or is it like hell? No, that's not even an option. No matter how shiny enticing you make the offer stuff. Think of it this way. The year is 12 months long. And this is month one. So if you shoot out of the gate at full speed, or nearly that from now, will you maintain it until December 31? I'm really asking you. If so, how, and at what cost to you, not just financially, but in terms of your time and energy. Octavia Rahim, the author of paws recipe gave us some beautiful considerations and reflections along these lines at the end of the year and beginning of the new year, and I encourage you to look up her work. If you know you won't maintain that speed, or at least without not without a major toll on you. What now, continue with the status quo isn't working? Or is it time to do some disrupting in this area of your life and consider a more supportive and aligned way forward? Isn't it time to put practices in place so you can stay grounded and uplifted in your wisdom and your knowing of what would be supportive for you this winter? Because how can you stay grounded in your with wisdom? If you're constantly on the move? How can you be uplifted in your wisdom if you're constantly bypassing your need for a slow and steady pace, all in trying to adhere to a speedy pace that just causes you to press the brake harder and feeling down and even lethargic? Maybe even more? How can you tune into your inner knowing if you're constantly pushing forward? Simply in the name of success and achievement? You know the answer, you can't. And I know you you're the person who's gifted, who gets things done at a high level of productivity, who cares so much. But my friend enough is enough, it's time to stop burning yourself out for society. This area of your life needs to be added to the list of ways you are dismantling toxic, toxic systems in place, and how they are affecting you and your work and all the things you care about. My friend, one of the simplest ways, let me stop yelling at you now, right? One of the simplest ways you can do this is aligning your actions with winters invitation. Now, I'm not saying call out of work until mid March. So you can be dormant quote unquote dormant in a cozy cave of blankets that you make for yourself. Although that does sound delightful, doesn't it? I'm not saying you know, put all of your plans and dreams on hold. And I'm certainly not saying you need to tell your boss you'll only be getting one project done a day instead of seven or however many your amazing self gets done. What I'm actually and by the way, if you want to do any of these things, you know you you are a boss and just make good decisions and think things through. Talk it out first, don't be rash. But what I'm actually saying is Start slow right meet yourself in small yet potent ways. Last week we discussed the Yama or ethical practice of a Ahimsa that's non violence or non harming and how it applies to you beyond not physically hurting yourself or someone else. It's in your thoughts, words, actions and beliefs the way you uphold systems of oppression, the way you gaslight or bypass someone else or yourself. Often especially for you disruptors, it's a way that you don't mean to right. It's also in the way you force yourself to do something that isn't aligned with your needs or desires. It's you know, not adding more to your plate when you know you cannot handle one more thing.