Arriving Slowly into the New Year
Let us not undervalue the steady, slow, unglamorous process it takes to grow
“When you try to close distance between who you are and who you want to be”
My wish for this new year is that we can give ourselves permission to arrive slowly. That we don’t need to buy into the myth that our worth comes from our productivity. As Maria Popova wisely said, "Presence is far more intricate and rewarding an art than productivity."
Traditionally, Winter is a time for finding rest and retreat. For going inside and slowing down. After all, nature shows us so beautifully how it releases in the winter months. How she gracefully sheds her leaves and stays quietly still, refreshing herself for Spring.
Culturally, we place so much emphasis on New Years’ Day as our chance to rebound.
We want to pick ourselves up, dust off our sorrows of the past year, and jump into action. New Year, New Me – right? I will say, there’s nothing wrong with the desire to achieve our goals. With being productive and efficient. With wanting to grow and bloom.
But what’s tragic is when we undervalue the steady, slow, unglamorous process it takes to bloom.
We undervalue the wisdom of slowness. We bypass what is for what could be.
We chase the person who we want to be and forget to nurture who we already are.
The distance between who I am and who I want to be always seems out of reach.
But slowing down gives me valuable perspective.
Slowing down as I arrive into the new year teaches me to stop chasing after a mirage of potential.
Slowing down allows me to sit with myself and notice that maybe… the version of myself I’m chasing is already within me.
Maybe that inner quietude is the place where I can close that distance. Maybe stillness is a gift that helps me cultivate presence over productivity. Maybe stillness is the key I need to close the distance between who I am and who I want to be.
This week's sketchbook prompt:
What are your January feelings? Make your own feelings chart like the one above. Fill it with words and images that represent your own emotions for this coming month.
Video Recommendation - Pick your word for 2022!
Often we can blank out when asked to “pick a word” to represent our entire year. But this gorgeous video by artist Morgan Harper Nichols curates a wonderful collection of thought provoking words for us.
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A note from Rukmini–
Happy New Year, dear friend. Thank you for being a part of this email family! This particular newsletter was written last year, but felt right to be shared once again. I’m wishing you all a wonderful year ahead.