One of my favourite winter rituals is a hot bath with Epson salts and essential oils. I use the time to do loving kindness meditation. Most of the time, my brain screams at me that I don’t have time but when I persevere, it’s pure deliciousness.
Epsom salts, essential oils, a hot bath, and loving kindness meditation… that’s not self-care as a checklist, that’s self-care as a nervous system reset.
And I know that screaming brain voice so well. “You don’t have time.” Meanwhile your body is like: this is literally what will make everything else possible.
Pure deliciousness is the perfect phrase. I might borrow this ritual x
This was the perfect piece to read this morning - at 5:00 am, after another frustrating midlife night's sleep, and with the wind howling and snow falling (again!) on Boston. This feels like a permission slip to give into the need for rest and recovery. In my twenties and thirties, and even my forties, I would have pushed through. Stuck to the routine. Felt guilty if I didn't. But in my 50s, I am trying to learn to listen to my body and give it what it needs and when it needs it. Rest and downtime included. Thank you, Kiran, for this reminder that that is ok. Even better, that it's necessary.
Laurie… 5 am, wind howling, snow falling, and a broken night’s sleep is such a specific midlife mood. I can feel the Boston cold through the screen.
And yes, that’s exactly what I wanted this to be: a permission slip because the old version of us would have pushed through out of guilt and habit, even when our bodies were quietly begging for recovery.
I love what you said about learning to listen in your 50s. That’s not “doing less”, that’s doing what’s true. Rest isn’t a reward. It’s part of the plan now.
One of my favourite winter rituals is a hot bath with Epson salts and essential oils. I use the time to do loving kindness meditation. Most of the time, my brain screams at me that I don’t have time but when I persevere, it’s pure deliciousness.
Cheryl, that sounds like actual winter heaven.
Epsom salts, essential oils, a hot bath, and loving kindness meditation… that’s not self-care as a checklist, that’s self-care as a nervous system reset.
And I know that screaming brain voice so well. “You don’t have time.” Meanwhile your body is like: this is literally what will make everything else possible.
Pure deliciousness is the perfect phrase. I might borrow this ritual x
This was the perfect piece to read this morning - at 5:00 am, after another frustrating midlife night's sleep, and with the wind howling and snow falling (again!) on Boston. This feels like a permission slip to give into the need for rest and recovery. In my twenties and thirties, and even my forties, I would have pushed through. Stuck to the routine. Felt guilty if I didn't. But in my 50s, I am trying to learn to listen to my body and give it what it needs and when it needs it. Rest and downtime included. Thank you, Kiran, for this reminder that that is ok. Even better, that it's necessary.
Laurie… 5 am, wind howling, snow falling, and a broken night’s sleep is such a specific midlife mood. I can feel the Boston cold through the screen.
And yes, that’s exactly what I wanted this to be: a permission slip because the old version of us would have pushed through out of guilt and habit, even when our bodies were quietly begging for recovery.
I love what you said about learning to listen in your 50s. That’s not “doing less”, that’s doing what’s true. Rest isn’t a reward. It’s part of the plan now.
Go gently today. Let the snow be your excuse x