Written by Board member Robyn Madsen
Winter Self-Care Part 1
Discovering new self-care practices
After the garden has been put to bed and the landscape is snuggled in for the winter months, the earth-lovers and gardeners can turn inward and get a much needed reprieve before the arrival of next Spring. Visions begin and ideas flow, but it is still a time of rest.
In the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice aligns with holiday festivities and gatherings. There is a great distraction from the Dark during these times. Christmas lights and sugary treats help us to eat! Drink! And be merry! But eventually we turn the calendar page to Jan 1st, and arrive solemnly to a new year and a calm quiet that truly does supersede all the noise of the modern era – it is the Great Dark.
The Great Dark aka the winter solstice. This is a time for renewal and rest, for visioning and healing. It is also a superb time to reconnect with our personal rhythms and self-care. The extra dark lends itself to going inward.
Permaculture is governed by three ethics that umbrella the principles. The ethics are like a guiding north star, so to speak, and the principles are the practical applications of how we get there. The three ethics are – people care, planet care and share the yield. They are quite simple, natural and intrinsic to earthlings. We must tend to ourselves, our loved ones and communities/ society; we must tend to the earth which sustains us and which we depend on; and, we must share – connecting with other humans and life on this planet. We are part of this living planet and the heart web that holds all of this miraculous life together.
As the garden changes and shape shifts, some things dying, others hibernating and going dormant, we, too, are encouraged to surrender, transform, go inward, let things die, replenish and reflect. So much happens in a year. For now, we re-organize, rebalance and find our footing again.
And don’t think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It’s quiet, but the roots down there are riotous. ~ Rumi
Winter is the time to tend to our roots. Our human roots! Both literally and figuratively. What sustains us? What is necessary to fortify our roots? The blessed Dark reminds us of the need to build the inner light. We must stoke our inner embers to stay warm thru the winter months and keep the inner spark alive.
Positive self-talk, health, downtime, inner strength, less screen time, writing, daydreaming, meditation and prayer, embodiment and contemplative practices – these are some ideas or themes for our self-care practices.
Self-care practices are vast, and they can be quite simple. For example:
Make a fire cider or tincture to support your family’s seasonal wellness
Simmer a pot of cranberries and other wild plants – inhale the steam as it’s simmerin’ and pour off for an immunity elixir
Make elderberry syrup
Read
Sleep in
Stretch
Journal
Take an epsom salt bath
Unplug when the sun goes down to reset and recalibrate the central nervous system
Light candles and pray
Love yourself and love yourself some more
Journaling can oftentimes be a good place to start when reflecting on our current self-care practices. Get a pen and paper and begin writing from these prompts:
- Think of one daily habit you do religiously that you are so proud of – what about this daily habit makes you feel so good?
- After doing what activities do you feel energized?
- What relaxes you?
- What is something special you would like to accomplish this year?
Now, from these inquiries elaborate and write in a stream of consciousness fashion to discover a new self-care practice that wants to emerge. Listen to your inner child and write. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes.
From this inquiry, you will discover a self-care habit to implement now.
It may sound like a cliché, but we must find peace within before it will be attainable without. Our self-care practices are the ticket to this peace. Next, take the permie lens and apply it to your self-care practices – all the principles must be applied for diversity and balance. We’ll pick up here next time, as we apply the principles to Zone 00.
Until then, let the peace and quiet of a calm winter’s night take you deep on an inner journey. Discover new habits to sustain your sweet soul and prepare you for your innate rebirth at the Spring equinox. The self-love and self-care you pour into yourself becomes the love you have to give.
Robyn Madsen
Pikes Peak Permaculture
Worm Whisperer
