Could you tell me about a time you felt comforted by nature's cycles and seasons?

In recent months, I have felt guilty because I - didn't feel very productive, felt more tired than usual, didn't engage with my children so they were back on the screens - again, snacked my way through the day mindlessly, and put on weight, didn't feel energetic, didn't feel like doing much, found it hard to stick to a routine, was grumpy for no reason, didn't wash my hair for a few days, felt lazy and uninspired......and the list goes on and on. Why did I feel guilty about all these things? Is this something we were taught when we were children? Is this something that social media, advertising, society tells us, that we should feel different?

How can we feel different at this time of year, when it's dark and cold, and - like this particular year - we are in lockdown? Why is there an expectation to be in top form and full of energy all the time? Especially in the middle of winter?

When I look at nature on my walks, and the barren fields, the gnarly trees, the lack of colour, I am reminded to let myself be guided by nature.

Because we can't always be blooming, there can't always be summer, warmth, high energy and high spirits.

Nature is resting right now, and so should we.

However, we tend to beat ourselves up when we take it easy, because of the guilt, the expectations, the "look how well everyone else is doing.".

We are all struggling throughout the darker seasons, but we are only struggling because we think we are not meant to rest, to winter, to take it easy. To not beat ourselves up.

Winter is for hibernation - just look at the animals, who eat more, to get through the cold season, look at the trees, that draw back all the sap to the roots, to avoid freezing to death, look at the stillness of a frozen pond.

It's the one time we are allowed to stop fully.

To rest, to reflect on last year's busy summer, to learn from mistakes, to let go of what we no longer need, and to move forward lighter and rested.

Into Spring, when new energy will come, new ideas will flow easier, new light will show the way.

If only we allow ourselves to slow down with the season, and to live life fully with the approaching light.

Nature and it's rhythms, its seasons, it's tides, its flows, they give me comfort: guided by those I manage to let go of the guilt.

Because we are nature.

And it's ok not to feel energetic or productive all the time.

Trust the process, trust nature. Trust yourself.