As the skies seem to be getting greyer and greyer by the minute, I want to take the opportunity to offer you a gentle... let’s say... suggestion. I simply suggest that instead of getting down on the cold temps and short days, that instead, you harness the energy of this season and use it optimally; the way nature (quite literally) intended. 

The energy of Winter, is one of introspection and letting go. It is the perfect time to shed layers, release unwanted storylines, ditch victimhood once and for all, and head into this beautiful time of year feeling lighter and brighter. 

First though, why might one want to let go? Well, someone once described to me that holding on to the past is akin to walking around with a huge metal ball strapped to your foot. You know, like the ones you see in prison movies?! Well, this beautiful and oh, so very wise person told me that with everything you cling to, the ball gets heavier and heavier. The harsh reality is that you don’t even realize how much it is weighing you down until you start the process of letting go. In short… living in the past, attaching to your story, holding onto resentments… they all rob you of your joy and your freedom. They diminish your ability to feel deeply in the present because you aren’t even truly in the present. 

This creates unwanted feelings and emotions that often surface in the form of anger, and usually come out on those closest to us. Most of the time (if not all of the time)  these people don’t deserve your anger, but if you live your life attaching to the past and sweeping painful emotions under the rug, instead of processing and letting go, this is what tends to happen. 

Thus, Winter, has its place in the circle of life (cue Lion King music). 

Below you’ll find a routine you can do every morning that takes under 10 minutes. It is created to help you process, heal, and let go of past trauma. I recommend doing it consistently for a month straight because when you start working through any healing routine, there will be a period of “push back” where your ego says NO. I use the term ego here to represent the part of your subconscious that wants to ‘protect you’ by staying in familiar patterns. I hope by now you’re starting to see, that’s not a place you want to hang out. 

Moral of the story? 

Start.

  Stick with it. 

 Feel fabulous. 

Here goes! You may want to download these 2 worksheets/guides I’ve created to help you with this process.

1. Set a timer for 3 minutes to sit in meditation. (Please refer to this post if you’ve never meditated before). You can sit comfortably here- it can be more traditional cross legged or in a chair or even on your couch will suffice! As you settle in take a couple of deep breaths, ask yourself the question, “What am I holding on to that is keeping my from evolving to my highest good?”After, try your best to let go of all conscious thought. Your focus during these 3 minutes is literally “I am breathing in, I am breathing out.” It’s only 3 minutes- you can do it! 

2. Have a blank piece of paper (or use my downloadable worksheet) next to you and when you come out of meditation, ask yourself the same question again, “What am I holding on to that is keeping me from evolving to my highest good?”Write down the first thing that comes to mind. Read it over out loud. Then say, “I release ______________” (whatever it is that you wrote down). Then, crumple up the piece of paper and throw it away immediately without re-reading. 

3. Now you get to shake it out! Oh, how I love shaking. This is the most simple thing you can do because there is absolutely no right or wrong way. Just shake out your limbs, your torso, your head, AKA dance like nobody’s watching (because no one should be, this is a deeply personal introspective practice). Dance/shake/move for at least a minute. 

4. When complete, gently let things settle, let the breath quiet. Stand in place and wrap your arms around yourself like you are giving yourself the warmest hug you’ve ever received. 

5. Last piece (I promise)—mantra! Grab another piece of paper (you’ll keep this one) and write down 11 times “ I am free, it is safe to evolve.” You need the repetition of doing this 11 times, don’t cheat yourself here! Why 11? The number 11 vibrates at an extremely high vibration, for more info, click here. After you’ve written it down, you’ll fold up your piece of paper and bring it with you wherever you go throughout the day! Whenever fear or negative thoughts come in, say the mantra over again… this should become very familiar to you by the end of the month. 

I really hope this practice brings with it peace, healing, and most of all freedom. Afterall, I want you to be livin’ your best lives, y’all! 

Here’s to change (in a good way),