The North, the Winter, and the Stopping of Time

The world we live in is one where time constantly slips away. We grasp at it, take it for granted, and endlessly seek more of it so we can accomplish more. But lately, I’ve been asking myself:

Why are we running after time?

Is it because we fear missing out on opportunities? Because we believe that if we don’t do it all, nothing will get done? Or maybe it’s because we don’t want to sit in silence, face ourselves, and check in with what’s really happening beneath the surface.

Perhaps it’s our FOMO (fear of missing out) that drives us to attend every event, say yes to every commitment, and fill every moment—leaving us with no time to address the things that truly matter.

Only we can uncover the reasons behind our relentless pace. But when the duality kicks in, we’re faced with a choice:

Do we continue with the frantic hustle?

Or do we lean into the quiet, intentional stillness where we can truly hear ourselves?

This January and February, I’m inviting you to choose stillness.

Winter’s Invitation to Stop

The winter months, particularly January, extend a natural invitation to pause and reflect.

This is the season for deep dives—not the kind that involve a pool, but the kind that require you to turn inward. It’s about asking the hard questions, sitting with the uncomfortable truths, and choosing to shift the parts of yourself that no longer serve you.

Our ancestors understood this rhythm. They honored the natural cycles of the Earth, flowing with the seasons:

North: A time to slow down to an almost complete stop. This is when we do the inner work, face our shadows, and release what no longer fuels our soul.

East: The season of new beginnings. It’s when the forest stirs to life, seeds are planted, and creative projects take shape.

South: A time of passion and joy, where the fire within is ignited. The warmth of the sun brings community, laughter, and celebration.

West: A moment to slow down again. We reflect, evaluate, and gather the wisdom we need to sustain ourselves through the winter.

So here we are, in January—the season of the North—and the message is clear:

Surrender to yourself.

Redefining Surrender

Let’s clarify what surrender means.

It’s not about waving a white flag or giving up.

It’s not about letting someone else lead your life.

True surrender means taking a step back, slowing down enough for your body and mind to find a state of calm. It’s creating intentional stillness so that clarity, connection, and awareness can emerge.

In this space of stillness, you might also encounter emotions you’ve long suppressed: pain, sadness, grief, or shame. These emotions aren’t there to overwhelm you; they’re there to be acknowledged and shifted.

The Courage to Slow Down

It takes courage to confront what you’ve been avoiding.

To slow down takes courage!

It takes courage to face the bubbling up of emotions you’ve pushed aside.

It takes courage to face, on a deeper level, all the people who have hurt you.

It takes courage to honor yourself exactly as you are—shadows and all.

It takes courage to love all parts of you, including the deep, dark secrets you’ve kept to yourself.

It takes courage to sit in the thoughts, the emotions, the snotty nose between the ugly cries.

It takes courage to heal.

It takes courage to say to yourself, “I am okay. I have all of these feelings and sensations, and as I process through them, I will find my self-love and compassion.”

Whether you resonate with one or all of these points, know this: You are not alone.

Shadow Work: Embracing Your Whole Self

Shadow work invites us to love all parts of ourselves. It means honoring the sides of us that have helped us cope during difficult times. By acknowledging and thanking these parts, we can release them and move forward with greater self-love and connection.

This process isn’t easy. It’s simple in theory but complex in practice. Yet, it’s transformative.

Embracing Life’s Dualities

Dualities exist in every facet of life:

The sun rises and sets.

The dark night gives way to the light sky.

Sadness can transform into joy.

Fear can open the door to love.

By understanding who we are at our core, we can smooth out the ride—reducing the steep drops and sharp turns on life’s roller coaster to a manageable undulating wave.

An Invitation to Pause

As you step into 2025, I invite you to slow down.

Pause for a few days—or even a week.

If that feels like too much, start small.

Carve out moments for yourself… not to clean, cook, or run errands, but to simply BE.

In this stillness, you may uncover profound insights, emotions, and truths. You may also find healing, clarity, and a deeper connection to yourself.

Your time to stop, surrender, and breathe is here.

Let me know how your journey unfolds. I would love to hear how you navigate the winter months with intentional slowness. Together, let’s honor this season of reflection and transformation.

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