Slow we flow

Hello December, and we've entered into the winter for northern hemisphere.

For many of us, winter is associated with adversity and it is often infused with stress, sleep deprivation, burnout and seasonal depression. We have so much to check off before feeling accomplished this year and welcoming the new year. But we feel rushed, struggled and suffocated to do it all.

This year, I invite all of us to enjoy the sacred blessings of the season — in its unique, absolute SLOWNESS and STILLNESS. Live it as a time for introspection, warmth, rest, and recovery. Being unhurried in our thinking and actions in a less reactive way. Stay quiet and hear your inner whisper.

"It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it. " — John Burroughs

If you can, be with nature for a moment. It doesn't need to be a total getaway, whether it's a park, in front of a lake or sea, somewhere secluded in the mountain, or my favorites are the sky and the tree outside of my window. Simply be there and feel it — the dense air, the crispy wind, the moving clouds, the sound of falling leaves, the raindrops on the ground, and your heart beats. You may live in a city and it's loud outside, but at this very moment as you be and feel, it quiets down inside, isn't it? Winter bestows us the darkness to find our most radiance within.

I‘d like to share three tips that have helped me stay calm and rejuvenated over the past years.

#1. Pause and reset your intention

Every time you feel rushed, PAUSE for a second and take three deep breaths. This very second of PAUSE creates a space of intention. The intention is to consciously choose what you really want to be versus need to do, and focus on the things that are really important to you and let go of things that aren't.

#2. Practice being

Give yourself 5 minutes, or even 5 seconds everyday to practice BEING instead of DOING. At one point during the day, take a moment to complete this exercise to practice being in the presence.

• Notice a thing you can SEE

• Notice a thing you can HEAR

• Notice a thing you can SMELL

• Notice a thing you can FEEL

For example, watch the hot steam from the tea or coffee; hear the sound in the background; smell the citrusy aroma as you peel an orange; feel the pain in your body. Wherever you are, be there totally. There is no past and no future. Just this moment, the breath, transcending.

#3. Make a "Slowing" list

What are the small things that you can incorporate into your daily life to slow yourself down? Make a list and stick it to your bathroom mirror. Every morning and evening when you are brushing your teeth, choose one thing to begin the day and one thing to wind down. I will share some of mine. Whenever I feel rushed or reactive, I go back to the list and pick one little thing to reset my intention.

• Pause and take three deep breaths (as in #1)

• Listen to a tree (a format of #2)

• Look at the sky (a format of #2)

• Meditation (a format of #2)

• Journal

• Say three things that I'm grateful for

Do you practice slowness in life? Comment below to share your practices. Share this article with others if it resonates. You can also subscribe to my newsletter and get early updates on upcoming workshops, blogs, and special events/deals exclusive to subscribers.

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* Explore coaching: If the winter has been tough and you want to talk to someone, I will be there to listen in my full presence. https://www.coach-within.com/book-a-session

* Gifting: Looking for Christmas or New Year gifts for your loved ones/friends/people you feel thankful for? How about gifting them coaching sessions? Click here for more information.

Sharing some photos I took in Argentina. In absolute awe. In 2023, I declare to travel more and explore nature.

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Thank you for reading so far. If we haven't met, Hi, I‘m Yiying, I am a career & life coach, bilingual in English & Chinese. I also practice Zen and Mindful Living.