Deeply connect to find renewal
Part 2
How is the last stretch feeling for you right now? Here are a few more reflections on how you might create a little more ease…
Ritual
Tree decorations come out year after year, some bought, some gifted; each have memories that connect with my heart.
Rituals turn ordinary moments into something extraordinary. Whether it’s, for example, lighting a candle, sharing a meal, or taking time each day to reflect, small practices ground us and bring a deeper sense of connection - to ourselves, to others near and far, perhaps also to those no longer with us to celebrate. And of course, for some, there is a deep spiritual connection in many rituals. They resonate with our values, nurture our wellbeing, and intentional practices bring structure, calm and joy to daily life.
Perhaps it’s continuing a family tradition, starting a new one, or simply carving out a moment of quiet amidst the busyness. As we approach Christmas I find myself doing seasonal baking, and sharing it with those I work and spend time with. That heart connection is so important to me, linking with those who first taught me to bake, happy memories of childhood Christmases, and sharing laughter and time with those I love.
What rituals help you feel calm, centred, or closer to what matters most? This season, lean into those rituals that fill your life with meaning and magic. And if coaching might be a useful way to help you explore how these practices can support and sustain you now and in the future, drop me a message and we can connect.
Routine
As I was preparing this little series of reflections, an email dropped into my inbox, an excerpt from David Whyte's book 'Consolations II', an essay entitled routine. He has a remarkable gift for words, and I look forward to reading this new book. He says:
'Routine is the way we worship fully at the altar of the timeless. Routine is the way we step down from what is absolutely extraordinary into the miracle of an ordinary day and an ordinary hour. Routine is disguised ritual... Routine is how we disguise our rituals of attentiveness: and like all rituals, routines are a way of enriching our relationship to a puzzling and sometimes overwhelming world or keeping that same fierce world at bay.'
When the season feels overwhelming, routine can bring calm amidst the chaos, familiar and life giving rhythms that support and bring balance and equilibrium at what can feel all at once a demanding, chaotic, joyful and sacred time.
What simple routines could help you feel more balanced this Christmas? How might you create rhythms of ebb and flow that work for you, not against you?
Recharge
In this season generosity it's easy to forget that this season of giving - of time and of love - is also by its very nature a time of receiving. For those whose lives are lived in the service of others it can feel harder to receive than to give, harder to take time to recharge and take care of ourselves and our wellbeing, but it's so important. It needn't be complicated, but it may take some work to ease into a space that feels restorative.
For the first time in 26 years I will not be working at Christmas. It's a gift, but I'm aware I'm also putting myself under a little pressure to 'do' something, to use the time 'wisely'. After a lot of change this year, I know time to recharge is so important, and 'being' is my heartfelt need this Christmas, so that afterwards I might be energised and my most creative self.
How might that look? Spending time in nature is a great way to recharge my batteries. Long walks by the ocean, spending time near and in the water, connecting with family and friends, volunteering with British Divers Marine Life Rescue, time reading, reflecting, writing - intentionally creating a breathing space and pause at the end of the year. Ebb after flow, before we move on again.
What truly replenishes you and sustains your energy, even at life's busiest of times? And moving forward, are you creating priorities for your wellbeing? By doing so we are able to show up for others and ourselves with more presence and generosity.
So, when you have an opportunity to pause, consider how you best thrive, not just survive. Take time to rest, reconnect with all that you value, or ease into moments of stillness. By doing so, we'll be better equipped to give generously and whole-heartedly to those we love and enjoy time to the fullest.
Rejoice
How do you feel when you immerse yourself in joy?
Joy is sometimes considered to be something grand or elusive, but finding joy in small, everyday moments brings a sense of happiness or deep contentment. Perhaps, at this time of year, you find joy in the soft glow of fairy lights, the warmth of a shared smile, the sound of familiar laughter, the crunch of leaves or frost underfoot, rainbows brightening up a dark, stormy sky, the chill of a cold water swim or fingers in the snow, or the calm breeze of a quiet morning.
We can choose to make these moments the heartbeat of this season. Such moments are waiting for our attention, beauty to be fully sensed when we are totally present, and in them we can rejoice. Being mindful of the little sparks of joy brings a focus beyond that which is fleeting and material, and invites us into a simple way living. True connection with that which is around us opens invites lives full of beauty awe, wonder, and joy.
What moments of joy will you find today? How might you use small joys to cultivate gratitude and live more fully in the present? Slowing down and really noticing the small joys can transform even the busiest days into moments in which to rejoice.
Rediscover
What does this season mean for you?
'Driving home for Christmas' is a familiar refrain accompanying our days at the moment. Christmas has a unique way of calling us back to what matters most - and to more than simply the place we call home. There is often a calling back to our centre, to our roots, physically and spiritually.
It’s a season steeped in memories, traditions, and moments that perhaps once filled us with child-like awe and wonder. As adults we might re-create and relive those through the eyes of children, but in the midst of busy schedules and life’s demands, we can lose sight of any magic we once knew, the things that lit it up. And for some, Christmas can bring a feeling of being unsettled, unrooted, and somehow out of balance.
In these days to come, self-compassion and giving yourself permission to reconnect with those things that make your heart full can be so important. Whether it’s rekindling old connections, starting fresh traditions, or simply rediscovering the magic of being present for and with others, and for yourself.
Take some space to pause and reflect on what have you drifted away from that you’d love to rediscover, and see with fresh eyes? Find the simple beauty of quiet moments or the sparkle of curiosity. How might you nurture more joy and a sense of playfulness? Coaching offers a space explore how you can rediscover these lost treasures and create space in your life for what brings meaning and joy—not just during the holidays, but beyond. Contact me if you'd like to know more.
Re-new
Reflect on what brought light and sparkle in 2024. What do you want to create for the next season in life?
As we move towards the edge of this holiday period - perhaps still with last minute tasks to complete and as we approach the end of the year, it's a good opportunity to reflect on all that is past, and to know that this season can also be the doorway into something new - so it's a great time to move forward with clarity, purpose, and energy.
Renewal honours the past while stepping into a fresh season of growth and possibility, with wholeheartedness creativity, and intention. What fresh beginning will you embrace? Perhaps it’s your commitment to self-care, a fresh perspective on relationships, a goal that has been sitting quietly on the sidelines, an idea that needs developing. Renewal doesn’t have to mean big changes; it can begin with small, meaningful shifts that set the stage for a life more aligned with your values and aspirations.
If you'd like a coaching conversation to explore what renewal looks like for you - whether it’s establishing healthy habits, creating clear goals, navigating a transition, or finding the confidence to step purposefully into something new - find a time to meet by clicking the button below:
