Slow-vember
Image by Tunafish
I've always loved November for its shoulder-season vibes. Kicking off with holidays that honor the transience of life, while Nature herself visibly shifts toward her inner landscape, with trees and plants literally pulling their life force back into themselves in preparation for winter. This turn of the wheel (of the year) has always seemed like a perfect invitation to breathe and slow down.
Image by Artem Kniaz
Of course, the culture I live in hasn’t seemed to accept that invitation, ramping up instead toward the end of the year hoopla – which tends to involve holidays, events, and a general spirit of over-committing on both physical and metaphysical levels. In the past, I’d always gone along with it, going to the events, putting up the decorations, making the dishes, committing (and over committing) to a variety of things and people.
After years of playing that game, however, at some point, I chose to unsubscribe from all the hoopla. I still celebrate holidays, but I do them with a different kind of intention now, honoring the cycles of Nature and my own body and psyche, rather than the call of capitalism and hustle culture I’ve been steeped in most of my life.
More isn’t always better. Sometimes it’s just more.
So, I've dubbed this month Slow-vember in honor of the turtle mode I've personally been called to honor lately, and I have to say, intentionally slowing my roll has been a unique kind of medicine. It’s also been an incredible crucible if I’m honest.
Sometimes disengaging from hustle culture while living in it feels like a full-time job. The mental clarity though, the peace, however momentary, is absolutely worth it.
Image by Louise Pilgaard
There is something vital, too, in the reminder that we get a say in things. We don’t have to go along with the status quo all the time, especially not when (or if) the status quo isn’t working for us anymore.
Our needs, our desires, our interests, and preferences shift and change as we grow, mature, and evolve.
And there’s something beautiful about that.
There’s also something beautiful about honoring those shifts and changes by allowing what is no longer interesting, useful, supportive, or delightful to remain in (or be relegated to) the past. Determining what those things may be is unique to each of us, but it’s always a worthwhile exploration.
Nature is a perfect example of that, and a reminder that every season holds its own kind of magic and purpose. This one, Autumn, carries an invitation to slow down a little and enjoy what has already come to completion. To let go of the pushing and striving, if even for a moment, and to release what is no longer feeding our souls (and/or the souls of our businesses).
What worked in one season, does not always work well for us in others.
Sometimes, we need to slow our roll to see clearly.
Here’s to discovering what works for us now, in this moment, in this season, and to honoring it. Whatever the pace.