My friend Donna sent an email with all the things she loves this time of year. I smiled and felt an strong connection to everything she mentioned.

I immediately thought of all the ways I try to bring calm and cozy to my life in December.

• This was something I didn’t even know I needed. But I’ve turned it on every day, and I can’t imagine winter without it!
• White lights- everywhere! We have battery-operated table candles outside on the deck, in the bathroom, at the front door, and on every table top. Outside we string white lights on the porch and around the door.
• Turmeric tea after dinner. I started it for my joints. Maybe it’s my imagination, but I think it’s helping me fall asleep :)
• I never would have bought this for myself. One, it’s not my style. And two, well, it’s not inexpensive. But now that I have it, I can’t live without it, wrapping myself up in it whenever I sit on our sofa. The dog and cat love snuggling on it, too!
• Warm socks: Donna recommended these, and I’ll have to try them. I’ve found these work great for me, too.

Most holidays are fairly meaningless to me. (I’ll have to deep dive into that sometime.) But Christmas usually makes me feel light and joyful. I have my moments when darker thoughts make their way into my emotions, but I think all the white lights and soft piano Christmas music we ask Alexa to play, keeps me level.

Last night we went to River’s Edge Yoga for a sound bath. White lights reflected off the brick walls, and Lynn, the owner, had put candles everywhere. We lay down under blankets feeling immersed in sound. Some say white lights give us a dopamine kick, but I find I breathe deeper and feel more connected to humanity.

Whatever the reason, I know I feel changed when the lights come on in December.

There’s something about this season I love. You’ll not find me decorating for easter, halloween, or thanksgiving. But when it’s time for the white lights to come out, I’m in.

Perhaps it’s the cold that has layered itself on us, or maybe I like the light/dark metaphor so evident this time of year. Whatever it is, I find myself jumping in with tiny trees around the house, greenery everywhere, and those white lights. I find it’s easier to take breathing moments (it’s what I call my meditation in short bursts) and relax with a cup of hot anything. And I’ve settled into this mantra: you don’t have to be perfect.

This week several items of note need saving:

• Huberman has jumped on the bandwagon of journaling to heal. As I’ve said before, this was key for my own journey.

• For those who are tired of self-care, self-help therapy, Elise Loehnen has written a short piece that better describes why knowing yourself IS important:

I think that self-help is a social good. And I think we need to rebrand the concept as “personal responsibility.” Specifically, personal responsibility for collective health and wholeness. It’s akin to managing your own trash so you don’t pollute the whole neighborhood. Plus, once your own trash management is in hand, you might have the capacity to help others with their trash as well. Or at least not add to their burden by dumping your dog poo bags in their yard.

Elise Loehnen

• I am two chapters into this book: Advice for Future Corpses (and Those Who Love Them: A Practical Perspective on Death and Dying. One of the first points is that talking about death makes you less anxious about it. We’ll see

• About that perfection? Here’s another push to try something new.

Until next time….

I am back to my morning routine, and it’s amazing how much better I feel. First, coffee and reading, then exercise and a podcast. This is followed by some journal writing (usually throw it away after I’ve finished.) Then a healthy breakfast and I’m ready to start the day.

I wonder why it has taken me so long to get back to the routine. But a friend shared this today, and it makes sense:

“Life is a series of seasons, and what works in one season may not work in the next.
What season are you in right now? What habits does that season require?”
– James Clear

My winter/spring seasons require my morning routine.

Other tidbits I’ve been reading/thinking about:

• A quote from Jocelyn’s newsletter:

I’ve mentioned before in this newsletter how, at the end of my morning meditation, I often ask my angels/teachers/guides/ancestors, What would you have me know today?
Jocelyn K. Glei

• How do you tell your own story?

• 9,500+ book recommendations from the most successful and interesting people in the world.

• And, finally, the concept of “after.” When I was a runner, I didn’t enjoy running. I loved the half-marathons when I did well, when I could measure my time against myself and others, and I loved when I finished. So I began to say the word “after” whenever I wanted to quit, sometimes even in the middle of a practice run. These days, I often have to say the word to myself when I am facing a busy weekend (after the weekend, I will have my alone time), or when it’s too cold to walk the dog but I need to go out (after the walk, I’ll be glad I did it). Somehow, just saying the word helps me remember that hard things end, eventually. And often I am glad I did them.

Later, friends….

“Perhaps / The truth depends on a walk around a lake” Wallace Stevens. And for me, it’s more likely a walk on the beach.

• On a whim, I subscribed to Kelsey Ervick’s The Habit of Art. Love it. This one was particularly helpful if you are looking for a system.

• Do I need one of these? I saw this “ice cream” maker on Carleigh Bodrug’s newsletter, and I’m tempted. Pretty expensive though.

• I’ve enjoyed listening to Susan David’s podcasts and getting her newsletters- She wrote about James Pennebaker’s journaling to heal.

• Buckwheat pancakes: saving the recipe right here

• Our new house is feeling a little more like home. As I get settled, I’ve also renewed my morning routine- AND, I’ve added a new yoga class on Sunday mornings. Perfect. I had a conversation with the studio owner, and I may have come up with a plan. More later!

Be well, friends.

A reflection of the Chatham Train Bridge, probably one of the most photographed scenes in Fredericksburg. What am I reflecting on today?

My most productive time is from 6am until 8am. That’s right. I wake up, pour my coffee, and read before I exercise, before I eat breakfast, and before I head out for the day. What I struggle with is keeping track of all that I am learning–

I’ve been following note-taking blogs and checking out apps (Notion, One Note, Evernote, etc) to see if something might help. But I tend to fall back into my old habits of reading and then forgetting most of it (or at least forgetting where to locate it). I know I must have some form of ADHD.

This seems like a good place for me to try to catalog my learning. This is not a community, it’s my blog. Whether it’s a photo I’ve taken, an article I’ve read, or a podcast I’ve listened to, this can be an organizing tool for me. I know my tendency will be to start this but not continue. So let’s see if I can keep up with this for two months!

Today’s links:

• Getting back into yoga. I’ve been doing pilates at home, but I don’t push myself enough when I work out alone. As I age, I find my joints stiffen pretty quickly. Yesterday, I took a private lesson from Lynn McFadden and fell in love with her and her technique. I’m going to try one of her classes and see if I can stick with it.

• Thinking about watching this movie about death, (but I haven’t decided if this is stress-inducing, a scam, or calming!)

• Maybe signing up for this cooking class, especially since I can watch it later if something else comes up.

• I might get “dinged” for posting someone else’s art, but I will give the attribution.

Until next time….