Connecting with the Slower pace of winter
This post was written by Community Partner Jordan Ashley, founder of Souljourn Yoga Foundation.
As the year draws to a close, winter emerges as a profound period for reflection and introspection. This time of year, often invites us to look back at the memories that have shaped our lives over the past months. We might find ourselves reminiscing about cherished moments spent with friends and family, celebrating personal achievements, or recognizing milestones in our professional journeys. These memories can fill us with positive feelings of nostalgia and gratitude, allowing us to appreciate the highs that defined our year.
However, as we reflect, we may also confront the feelings of regret that can arise when considering what didn’t come to fruition. Perhaps there was a trip you hoped to take but never managed, a relationship that reached its natural conclusion, or an opportunity that slipped through your fingers. It’s essential to acknowledge that these feelings are a natural part of life’s ebb and flow, beginning to lean into t
Winter serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of existence, where we learn to honor not only our successes but also our disappointments. This season invites us to lean into its slower pace, providing an opportunity for healing and catharsis. By embracing winter’s quietude, we can create space for self-reflection and renewal, allowing us to process the emotions that may linger from the year gone by.
The Gift of Hibernation
While winter is often associated with hibernation, it doesn’t necessarily mean we need to isolate ourselves from the world. On the contrary, this season encourages us to find a balance between solitude and community. It is a time to slow down, recharge, and reconnect with our inner selves while also engaging in the vibrant celebrations that mark this time of year. Across cultures, winter is filled with beautiful festivals of light celebrating hope and connection even in the darkest days.
Yet, as we partake in communal festivities, we also need to make space for introspection. The end of the year can often feel like a culmination of energy spent—be it through social engagements, professional commitments, or personal projects. This buildup can leave us feeling drained, overwhelmed, or burnt out. Burnout arises from sustained emotional, physical, or mental stress, often leading us to feel like we’re drowning in responsibilities without the ability to keep up. Acknowledging this state of being is crucial; it allows us to begin the process of reclaiming our energy and vitality.
Recognizing and honoring these parts of ourselves opens a wealth of opportunities to engage in ceremony and ritual. Whether personal or communal, these practices help us to celebrate the closing year and prepare for the one that lies ahead.
Embracing the Slower Pace
As winter envelops us, we’re called to tune into our needs and embrace the slower pace it brings. Self-care is an essential component of this process, allowing us to nurture ourselves in preparation for the new year. Leaning into self-care means listening to our bodies and minds, taking the time to unwind, and engaging in activities that nourish our spirits.
This season can be an excellent opportunity to establish boundaries and recognize our limitations. Often, we find ourselves overcommitted, spread too thin across various obligations and expectations. By saying no to things that don’t truly resonate with us, we create space for the people and experiences that energize and inspire us.
Winter invites both solitude and celebration. Perhaps you decide to take an evening for yourself, finally picking up that book that’s been gathering dust on your nightstand. Or maybe you create a personal ritual by lighting candles, writing a gratitude list, or lying on the ground listening to a guided meditation or binaural beats. These small acts of self-care allow us to reconnect with our essence, offering a nurturing space in which we can process our thoughts and emotions.
The Art of Self-Compassion
Self-care takes many forms, and it is an essential practice during the colder months. Creating sacred space for ourselves is vital as we transition into this new season. Designate a specific evening each week for self-care rituals, where you can unwind and nurture your spirit. This time is about tuning out the outside world and tuning into your divine essence, allowing you to recharge and rejuvenate.
As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, winter also presents us with an opportunity to reconnect with our creative spirit. This sacred time of year is perfect for rekindling joyful activities we loved as children, whether that means creating art from fallen leaves or even hand making holiday cards to tap into our artistic flow. Slowing down can also manifest in our connections with others; consider inviting loved ones over for an evening of creativity, food, and laughter. Encourage everyone to bring seasonal dishes, mulled wine, or board games to foster connection and joy.
In these moments, we can ground ourselves in the bounty of the earth by incorporating ingredients from local farmer’s markets, creating a sense of community around the meals we share. As the snow blankets the earth and the trees become barren, it offers us a moment to pause, reflect, and set powerful intentions for the year ahead. Just as each snowflake falls with purpose, we too can embrace winter as a time for clarity, grounding, and renewal.
Retreat for Renewal and Reflection
As winter invites us to shed what no longer serves us, it also prepares us to enter the new year with intention and purpose. The closing of one year offers a vital opportunity to reflect on our experiences and honor the lessons learned along the way. This reflection can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves and what we truly desire in the year ahead.
Joining a retreat during the winter months is a wonderfully nurturing experience. In this cozy environment, we can support one another on our journeys, fostering bonds that warm our spirits during the colder days ahead. This time dedicated to self-care is not only empowering but also allows us to connect with like-minded individuals who share our values and aspirations.
This December you are invited to join us in Taos, New Mexico to cocoon, reset, and set your intentions for the year ahead. Our Yoga and Sound Retreat is crafted to provide a holistic experience of relaxation and self-connection. The retreat will blend meaningful ceremonies and rituals with a variety of wellness practices designed to help you reconnect with yourself. Every aspect of this retreat is thoughtfully designed to nurture both body and mind, guiding participants through a journey of self-discovery and healing.
You’ll have the opportunity to soak in mineral springs, experience rejuvenating sound baths, and practice yoga nidra. Cultural immersion will allow you to engage with the rich traditions of the region, while dedicated moments of relaxation in the sauna and hot tub will help you unwind and recharge. In this beautiful setting, we will also be supporting Indigenous women and girls through wellness, environmental justice, and gender rights advocacy.
As winter envelops us, remember that this season is a time for self-compassion, healing, and renewal. Embrace the slower pace it brings, allowing yourself to reflect, recharge, set intentions for the future, and prepare for the new beginnings that await you in 2025.
About the author: Jordan Ashley is a Tedx speaker, PhD candidate, and founder Souljourn Yoga Foundation, a US 501(c)3 nonprofit that creates transformational yoga retreats and teacher training programs to raise awareness and funds for young women and girl’s education around the world. She is an expert on yoga and wellness, regenerative / transformational travel, ethical tourism, and culturally immersive travel experiences. In addition to service-based retreats, Jordan leads Souljourn Yoga’s On the Ground Yoga Teacher Training, an empowering program for young women in Morocco, Rwanda, and around the world that makes yoga accessible to the entire community and promotes leadership values, peace building, and self-compassion. Jordan’s work has been featured by Yoga Journal, USA Today, Forbes, the Los Angeles Times, Marie Claire UK, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, and more.
We still have a couple of spots left, and we’re excited for you to experience “the land of enchantment” with us!
Use promo code NM200 for $200 off and (re)treat yourself 🙂
Our Taos Guide: https://www.souljournyoga.com/blog/taos-guide-by-alison-beckner
More About the Author: Jordan is an activist, writer, yoga teacher, and Tedx speaker whose work has been featured by Forbes, the Los Angeles Times, Marie Claire UK, and more. She created Souljourn Yoga Foundation in 2016 as an avenue for the practitioner who wants more than a yoga retreat. She anchored it in the desire to expand equal education across the globe.
