Renewal Is Inevitable

How following the seasons can help us deal with change.

Who loves winter? I know there are some of you out there.*

I don’t understand it for a second but thanks to my Chinese medicine training and knowledge of the five elements and how they work I know how essential it is.

“For every burst of spring we need the stillness of winter”

(yet I’m still hoping for some sort of magical get out of jail free card where you get to skip around the board and not go to winter “jail”)

It’s winter here in Australia and the relentless social media spam of people you know enjoying Bali and the European Summer is a lot to contend with while wearing flannelette pyjamas considering the merits of said flannelette in sheets and wondering where the whimsical linen wearing version of yourself went.

You too?

With the whiplash changes to my work over the last two months (more on that one day possibly over a wine) I have had to really really dig deep into my own practices and attend to my health (mental emotional physical and spiritual ) like it’s my new full time job. I do technically have the time after all.

This might sound like the exact opposite of what I need to be doing (my inner critic has had a ball, like maybe getting another job might be a good idea Keri)

You might relate to some of these things. Nods in the general direction of pandemic/ weather events and general life.

I know in my bones that the best next path forward, will only be found, discovered or created when I’m in a mostly regulated state and my nervous system isn’t all the way on in fight and flight or all the way off in freeze mode.

This is true I believe for all of us.

This isn’t easy nor do I execute it perfectly but I know that what is meant for me will still be there for me. I also know that applying pressure isn’t going to magically have me bounce out of the freeze state I tend to favour.

But you know what will?

Warmth. Metaphorically and literally.

In Chinese Medicine warmth isn’t just a nice idea its;

Nourishing foods. Warm conversations. Making your home environment cosy

Creating tender safe spaces for your heart (and the fire element) to flourish.

You know those languid summer days where anything and everything feels possible. **

THAT is the energy we need to draw on when we’re stuck or worried, frozen in fear or in a shame spiral.

Not only when it is actually winter and we’re freezing our butts off. Raises a hot toddy.But when we’re in a frozen stress response, feeling like all hope is lost.

The warmth of the fire element moderates grief, it thaws fear and it gives purpose to all those lists of things to do.

This doesn’t mean that we pour a bucket of wine and run a bath and live there while our lives burn down, but it does mean that we recognise the vital need to have compassion for ourselves in the face of hardship or change.

How might you apply some warmth to something challenging in your life right now?

This can be as simply as a heart warming movie, music that makes you want to dance or a conversation with someone who knows you well.

Seeking support in some way is often needed. Those in the healing professions are skilled at providing warmth (in whatever variation) for just this purposes.

Would you like to know more about how to support yourself in simple ways using the five elements? Take this quiz and see what your element has to say about you.

Are you a health practitioner or curious human and would love to understand the five elements a little better and apply this model of care in your practice and life?

Head here to see more on my Emotional Wellbeing Masterclass.

I will be running a live version in mid August and all those that purchase the masterclass this month at the self paced price will be able to join as a free bonus.

Any questions I’d love to hear from you.

Wherever you are I hope you’re warm.

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