Hi, it’s 2023! We’re in the new year and experiencing all the messaging that comes with that. And as an Acupuncturist and person, I have some thoughts. I’ve never been one to be super into making big aspirational plans for the new year, and I actually think there’s a good reason why. We put so much pressure on ourselves come January 1st to immediately change our lives for the better and do alllll the things straight away. This sets us up for failure when we can’t live up to the unrealistic expectations for ourselves. I don’t think I’m the only one when I say I DEFINITELY have unrealistic expectations for myself 😅
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), everything is based around the five elements: earth, metal, water, wood, and fire. These elements influence the way we practice our medicine as well as the way we live. The winter season corresponds to the element of water. The water element encourages introspection and stillness, this is why it’s very important to spend more time resting & with ourselves in the winter, so that we do not throw this element out of balance with the rest. The water element is also associated with fear. An excess of fear in the form of fear of not doing enough, being enough, etc. can also deplete the water element. So, you see where I’m going with this. Living seasonally is an important part of TCM, and in the winter, it’s important to nourish our water element with more stillness and definitely less trying to be & do everything. Our days are shorter & the weather is colder for a reason, we actually need more rest in the wintertime to gear up for the spring where everything wakes up again.
So, if you’re like me and doing extra things right now is exhausting to even think about, you are not lazy or not doing enough. You are actually exactly where you should be, and your body will thank you for resting and nourishing it during this time so it’s ready to gear up again when the season changes.
Your body is capable of so much if you give it what it needs, remember to listen ♥️
