My Seven Favorite Ways to Celebrate the Winter Solstice
For some of us (maybe you?), these long dark days can feel cold, lonely and depressing. Not everyone has a group of loved ones to gather with, and many of us even face heightened emotional or physical pain in stark contrast to society’s expectations of merriment and cheer.
I like to think of this time of year as Nature's invitation to take a breather and dive into some self-reflection.
Of course, the longest night signals that lighter times are on their way. As in life, our deepest challenges and darkest moments offer meaningful opportunities to pause, reflect, and reconsider our priorities — when we give ourselves the time and space to listen to our intuition.
Here my seven favorite ways to make the most of the Solstice season:
Cherish Your Wins and Lessons: Take a moment to pat yourself on the back for all your wins this year, big and small. List all of the accomplishments you can remember —at home, at work, and in your relationships. Take note of the lessons you learned from difficult situations. Jotting these down in a journal can be a valuable way to lift your mood and reinforce your sense of self-worth.
Spread A Little Appreciation: What better time than now to focus on what’s already going right? Reach out to people you know (a note, a call, or a text) and express how grateful you are for having them in your life. If you haven’t already, you can start a gratitude journal or a jar to collect those little moments that make your heart sing.
Dream, Plan, Act: Set intentions for the future. What’s on your wishlist for the coming year? Do you want to be healthier? Wealthier? More confident? Envision your ideal future self and mentally rehearse how you want to feel. Then identify some bite-sized goals you can sprinkle into your 2024 routine.
Get Zen with Mindfulness: I like to put on some relaxing music, light some incense, and SLOW down. Whether it's meditation, deep breaths, or calming visualizations, taking time to be in your body, fully in the present moment, helps to clear mental clutter and soothe your nervous system.
Release What No Longer Serves You: Take stock of habits, relationships, or thoughts that might be holding you back. Clear out some clutter in your home. Get brutally honest with yourself and be willing to let go. A little 'out with the old' clears the pathway for something amazing and 'new.'
Craft a Vision Board: Visualizing your dreams can be fun and motivating. Grab some magazines, get creative, and make a vision board that’s all about your goals for the coming year. I like to find photographs of strong, fit people whose body type is similar to mine for inspiration to exercise and stick to a healthy eating plan.
Design Your Own Solstice Ceremony: Create a home altar with elements you collect from Nature (pine cones, branches, stones), and a candle. As you venture out to collect your special items, reflect on your relationship with Nature and all living things — animals, plants, Earth, water, sky, and stars. As you light your candle flame, focus on your interconnectedness. You may even want to write down any habits you want to leave behind on a piece of paper and ceremonially burn it, sending a signal to your subconscious mind that you are embracing a new way of being. This works beautifully as a solo ceremony, or provides a meaningful focus for a special evening with friends and loved ones.
Create your own winter solstice altar with elements from Nature.
I’m thankful for YOU!
On Winter Solstice and throughout the holiday season, I will be lighting a candle and giving thanks for the relationships I have with all of my amazing clients, colleagues, mentors, friends, and loved ones. Thank you for being in my life. Thank you for your referrals. Thank you for your trust. I appreciate the opportunity to be connected with you!