Snow scenes out my front windowThe solstice is headed our way. The days are drawing in for the new year. I've noticed that oftentimes this time of year creates frantic, stressful behaviors. Often, people change/shift/deconstruct and reconstruct their lives during the holidays (or shortly thereafter). Why? I believe it is because the world (or at least the Northern Hemisphere) is undergoing a time of deep and lasting change. In the cold and dark, living organisms are not merely asleep (including bears who hibernate--female bears give birth during the winter months). Instead, the living are profoundly...changed, altered, and different forever.
What does this mean for creative people? I believe it is a time to rest, relax and reflect on what's passed then move on to re-energizing and renewing. During this time, it's useful to ask many questions. Such as, "Where do I want to go with my creative passion?" "What's different about my creativity NOW?" "What do I want to keep?" "Discard?" "Change?" "What feels right?" Then I believe it's useful to sit with the questions and not worry about the answers. Let them come as they will.
Dear readers, what do you think? Has this been your experience of the dark days before the return of the light? Or? (And my Southern Hemisphere readers, is this true during June for you?)
19 comments:
I escaped the Dark North, so am not much help. If I was still up there, I'd be staring into a Happy Light, counting the minutes until the sun returned
I look toward the new year with hope of returning to my writing, and finding joy in little (and big) things again. It's way past time for a fresh start...
Thanks for a glimpse of the pretty side of winter, Conda!
I, too, have a Happy Light--and use it. And here's to fresh starts!
Down here, I think we slack off on work, but not so much to rest as to get things done for the holidays.
By the way, I'm cold just looking at your pictures. We've dipped below freezing once this season and I am ready for summer now. One day of wearing close-toed shoes is enough winter for me.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Ah, Helen, about the cold, spoken like a true Texan!
I'm a Texan, too, but I enjoy the seasons. However, before the end of January I'm ready for summer. Or at least spring. Your photos are gorgeous.
Wow, very lovely photos but I'm glad we have such a hot weather right now. But my creativity is not working yet...
Really Angelic
Thanks, Carol. And although I love snow, by late January/February, boy I'm ready for another season.
Enid, does the heat slow you down? It's hard for me to imagine it being hot during Christmas...although I spent one Christmas in Indonesia and it was warm!
Conda, just discovered your blog, interesting and I'll be back. Lovely photos too. I'm in New England and have had no snow yet but the cold is creeping in like the dark. My reaction is different. These conditions make me feel like what I call "denning up" -- like the bears. But I'm not sleeping, I'm sitting all cozy with a quilt over my legs and the laptop on my lap and spending hours writing and rewriting. The curtains are closed the light puddles around me and I get lost in the novel I'm working on. The characters talk to me when I'm not writing. I get distracted now and then by the holiday stuff but I'm not a big holiday person so it's minimal. I think we all have our rhythms. In summer it's much harder to sit down and stay put and focused. the natural world calls to come enjoy.
This is so interesting! We've randomly taken the last couple of Decembers off from writing and I wonder if the solstice has anything to do with it? Fascinating.
Welcome to my blog, June! I've popped over to your and will be visiting again. And I love how your "denning" leads to your writing.
Lisa and Laura--for me it's difficult too, to keep up the word count during December. Do you find you're re-energized or renewed after the sun starts to return?
I've been having exactly these thoughts of late, though I must say I hadn't thought of attributing them to the solstice and all it brings. Maybe, though... It seems I need to rethink my systems, though, I hadn't realised how long it was since I had visited you!
A good post, Conda.
I have to admit, I have the habit of wanting to "hibernate" (especially with my creativity) during these dark wintery days. But it definitely is a good idea to use the time constructively: to allow and encourage change for the better. It's a time to store up energy for the new year.
Dave, you're always welcome and it tis the season for racing around and still being behind!
Yes, Rebecca, it is time to "store up." Now if I just wasn't storing calories but creative ideas...
I've kinda taken December off--partly because of the holidays and partly because my creativity feels "meh". Looking forward to more daylight and energy, for sure!
Me too, Jennifer! And have you noticed how our creative "motors" start up as the sun rises earlier and sets later?
Conda:
My periods of reflection come at different times throughout the year. But they seem to be more connected to my general feeling of well being than the seasons. When the sun shines through my window and I am feeling healthy and energetic, I can dig right in. But when I'm down, I can't even write a single line.
happy trails.
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