Finding Our Center After Rough Times

The Weight of January

January has felt like a long, heavy season of navigating the noise. It's been a month of deep processing ----- of holding space for family, dealing with the stress of the world, and feeling the exhaustion that winter can bring when the heart is full of so much heavy news.

As I stood on the threshold of January, I thought I was ready for the atmospheric heaviness that often arrives at this time of year. I was certain that I was prepared to face whatever the month would bring. And in many ways, I have, but it was full of unseen, ongoing challenges that maxed out my energy.

Between the noisy demands of the outside world and the incremental weight of three losses within our circle of family and friends, including the sudden passing of a dear friend's husband, I finally reached a wall. My heart center was overflooded, and I had no choice but to pull back for a couple of days.

In the midst of these emotional storms, my beautiful grandson was born. His birth is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always the rising dawn. And that when death occurs, there is also a new birth.

As mothers, sisters, daughters, and caregivers for those we love, we walk the line of balance in our daily lives between giving to ourselves and others. I have learned as I grow into my older years that we must remember that to be a safe harbor for others, we must first make certain our own foundation is strong.

Even the strongest lighthouse requires time for renovation and repair. When life throws one storm after another, and you have to retreat and pull back, please, beautiful soul, give yourself permission to do so.

For me, that was doing the minimal for a couple of days, and allowing myself the space to cry, while wrapped up in a warm blanket with my herbal tea. As I escaped into a historical romance, I read about profound loss within its pages.

I emerged from my private cocoon, stronger and looking forward to the wheel changing as we move towards February. I am now leaning into a softer energy. It helps that I awoke this morning to not only the brisk cold as I stepped out to drive to my son's work, but the brightness of the sun greeted me, and even the birds who are often scarce in the depth of winter shared with me their song.

It's not surprising that when I pulled a card from my tarot deck earlier today, the Tower card showed up. Change can be challenging, and sometimes devastating, but out of the old rises the new. I am also being reminded that 2025 was a number nine year (endings) and that 2026 is a number one year (beginnings)

I am looking forward to brighter days because the light is rising even when we can't see it. The upcoming holiday (Valentine's Day) reminds us not only to remember those we love but also to remember to love ourselves. February is a perfect time to remember that self-care is indulging in personal rituals that we may have neglected as we move through winter.

As we transition into the months ahead, let's remember that self-love is not limited to just eating the right foods, meeting our water quota, and getting a good night's sleep, but it's also indulging in those rituals that lighten us and allow us to feel the goddesses/gods we are.

If you are familar with my writing, then you know that I often share action steps, journal prompts and or affirmations. But this time , I think I want to remind both myself and you af just how wonderful we are:

So, today I share with you personal reminders that I have on a decorative wooden box that was given to me by a friend years ago.

• It is okay to ask for help

• You are doing the best you can

• You are worthy and enough

• It is okay to not be okday

• Your boundaries are important

• You are capable of amazing things

• It is okay if you are a work in progress

• It is okay to allow time for yourself to heal

Thank you for reading,

Angela