Preparing for More Light: A Slow & Steady Approach to Spring

The days are growing longer. The sun will now set after 7pm. The feeling of Spring is all around us.

Like every other season, Spring is an energy. Spring is expansive, upward moving, and full of action. When we transition from Winter into Spring, we are moving from the 'Yin', introspective, restful time of year into the 'Yang', action-oriented, energizing time of year.

This is a HUGE transition that requires our presence, patience, and time. It can be easy to want to jump right into activity on the first 65 degree, sunny day (at least in Central Oregon, where I live). We jump into activity and a week later, there is snow on the ground again. If we plant our seeds too early, a frost will likely take them out before they have the chance to grow. If we 'spring' into action too early, when we are still waking from our Winter hibernation, we burn ourselves out. We can become physically sick and mentally fatigued when we jump into too many things at once.

The transition from Winter into Spring is a dance. We see Spring start to express itself, only for Winter to return and show us that she's still got it. The month of March is very transitional. So transitional, that it can feel disorienting.

What if we approach the month of transition with a 'Slow Emergence'? What if we stop, slow down, and notice? What if instead of pushing towards the next best thing (in this case, Spring), we appreciate the final weeks of Winter?

I personally was hit with a big wave of fatigue this week when I looked at my calendar for the rest of March. I gave myself the rest that I needed, and gave myself permission to approach my life day by day. Slow and steady. Once I began embodying this concept of a 'slow emergence', I felt so much better. More grounded, less overwhelmed.

"Rushing" is something that we create for ourselves. "Peace" can also be something that we create for ourselves. I'm choosing to create less "rushing" for myself this season by giving myself transition time. Time to get from point A to point B. Time to switch between tasks. Time to be fully present with the moment in between taking care of responsibilities.

I'll be using the extra daylight to go for walks before and after classes, meetings and client calls. Slowing down doesn't always mean that I'm less busy. It means that I'm more intentional with what I'm paying attention to and where I'm putting my energy.

This week, I invite you to notice where you may be rushing through life.

Ask yourself:

"Why am I rushing?"

"What am I missing in this very moment by rushing?"

"What would happen if I slowed down?"

"How can I create SPACE for myself to slow down?"

My affirmation for this week is: "It is safe for me to slow down".

In a society that has us running on strict timelines, deadlines and due dates, slowing down often doesn't feel safe. We fear that if we slow down, we won't be able to complete our tasks in time. We'll miss out on opportunities. We won't be able to do all of the things we want to do.

Slowing down doesn't mean kicking discipline to the curb. Sometimes it can look like taking on less work, taking space between tasks to go for a walk or do something else enjoyable, giving yourself the appropriate amount of time to get somewhere, or saying no to social invitations to give yourself more space.

It is also important to acknowledge and understand our own energy levels. For me personally as an Emotional Projector in Human Design, I go through waves of feeling very energized, followed by waves of needing lots of space and rest. I maximize my own energy by getting a lot done at once when I'm at an energetic high. I then take what I call 'intentional rest' days where I will hardly do a thing. If you are interested in learning more about your own energy levels, I find Human Design to be the most accurate system out there.

Recently I had someone invite me to do something outside on a beautiful day. I said no because I was exhausted and needed to rest. I know that in the past, I would have pushed myself past my own limit and said yes because I didn't want to miss out on a beautiful day.

Now, I understand that there will be lots of beautiful days. There will be so many opportunities to enjoy warmth and sunshine. And I will enjoy and appreciate them much more when I'm well-rested.

Slowing down allows us to enjoy life more. Slowing down is important for our own health and longevity. When we slow down, we are more attuned to all of the little miracles happening around us: things that we often overlook when rushing.

Say it with me: "It is safe for me to slow down".