Positive steps for winter months

Whilst the year is still emerging and the buzz of Christmas fades to a distant hum, taking some time to reflect this January could have a great impact on how the rest of the year unfolds for you. While early evenings are still dark and we’re all spending a little more time at home, understanding small changes you might want to make is a great way to conjure positivity and optimism. Just because 2023 is already underway doesn’t mean you haven’t got time to take stock and make positive decisions for 2023, in fact, quite the opposite.

A simple task which could help is reflecting on 2022, noting down what you did and didn’t enjoy and being conscious of how last year went for you can create clarity and from there help form the ideas to plan the next few months ahead. Being aware of the things you don’t want to repeat can help you put things in place to help realise the experiences you do want to have.

The secret to success? Make it easy, the tiniest of wins that are just within reach are far more effective than unachievable goals that leave you feeling deflated, whether it’s planning more meet-ups with friends or saving towards an exciting event, try adding the simplest of tasks to your daily to do list just so you can tick them off and see how it makes you feel.

If you’re looking for support in any goals you do want to achieve this year James Clear’s book, Atomic Habits is full of practical advice and experience which truly makes

Spring is here...

Spring….can you sense it? Can you feel the end of day stretching, reaching, pulling itself back towards the sun, minute by minute? We’ve gained 25 minutes of light since the winter solstice on the 21st December and it’s started to catch my eye.

In just 2 and a half weeks spring will officially be with us. The 1st of February, known as Imbolc or Imbolg in the Celtic and Pagan calendar, literally means ‘In the belly’ and signals the start of lambing season. Historically celebrated in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man, it marks the first seasonal change of the year and shines a light on everything that is pregnant and brewing with potential. The earth is waking up.

As temperatures lift it signals the sap, sugars stored in the roots of trees during winter, to rise. Flowing to the tips of every branch providing life giving energy to buds and leaves poised and waiting to grow.

This cross quarter festival is 1 of 4 dates which mark the beginning of the seasons throughout our year including Beltane or May day on the 1st May welcoming in summer, Lammas on the 1st August (which is the 1st of 3 harvest festivals ) celebrating autumn and Samhain which falls on the 1st November signalling the approach of winter.

Whilst equinox and solstice account for the peak and mid points of our seasons it is these lesser talked about dates, that fall on the first of the month, which signal each seasons new beginning. A time to celebrate and take note of our changing environment. A day to walk, to breathe and take everything in.

As we cannot gather to walk or feast this time around I will be posting a series of blogs on what to look out for in our hedgerows as well as the shops. Things that are in season now or coming into season soon and what to do with them.