Face Yoga, Manifestos and my Careless Lack of Fiction
Or, How I'm Trying to Honor Myself During Advent Season
The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas always make my body scream in protest of anything more strenuous than lifting a hot cup of coffee to my face. I am tired. My body, my brain, and my thinking ability. Almost everything is moving with a sloth-like precision. I find myself searching for grounding activities, nourishing foods, and good stories. So, rather than a list at the bottom, I thought I would provide you with a more, in-depth post on what’s nourishing my body, my mind and my spirit right this moment.
Body:
I return to My New Roots and Heidi Swanson every time I feel like my body needs some extra attention. I generally tend to make a big batch of the same recipe that is comforting, piping hot and full of nutrients. These are the recipes that are my go-tos:
https://www.mynewroots.org/site/2018/01/kichadi-realistic-reset/
https://www.mynewroots.org/site/2013/02/the-life-changing-loaf-of-bread/
Heidi Swanson’s Super Natural Simple is my reset Bible- anything in there makes me feel like I cared for myself well.
My skin has been finicky. I loved May Lindstrom’s Honey Mud upon The Lazy Genius’s suggestion until a few months ago when it started causing a sunburn effect I’m not a fan of. Her blue cocoon, however, is still my trusty cold-weather friend. I’m eagerly awaiting this product to be delivered from BioClarity in hopes it’ll help calm my angry skin.
I had a somatic vocal coach for years who instilled in me the benefits of face yoga for TMJ sufferers. I got out of the practice but introduced it back in while in the shower- using the blue cocoon for full effect. It’s honestly been such a relief- but it looks pretty silly, so the shower seems a good fit. :)
Mind:
I’m a documentary nerd, and while I wouldn’t qualify this as entertainment necessarily, I truly loved it. The relationship between Jonah Hill and Phil Stutz is so beautiful and genuine, and I have thought of his string of pearls tool every single day since watching it the first time.
Alright, I admit it. I got sucked into Wednesday on Netflix. It’s fun and macabre; two things I adore. Also, Jenna Ortega is perfection.
Gosh, I’m obsessed with Allison Russell. This song in particular right now, but do yourself a favor and invest in her story-telling this week. She’s worth it.
I’m still plugging along with Sarah Maas’s House of Sky and Breath. It’s not as engaging for me as the first one was, but because I was a die-hard Throne of Glass fan I will persevere. I am in desperate need of some fun fiction, though, so if you have a suggestion- I’m all ears.
Spirit:
I’m re-evaluating my writing practices and how I show up in the world with my words. Writing a manifesto seemed to be the perfect place to start writing something that’s just for me. This a decent outline, if you’re unsure what I’m talking about.
https://daringtolivefully.com/personal-manifesto
I am still trying to commit to a Sabbath rest from online spaces and other modes of communication and work from 6 pm on Saturday to 6 pm on Sunday. I’m sucking at it. But I’m trying. If you have any tips on how to shut off your active brain and unplug, please help me.
My Calm App is my meditation lifeline. I love that they offer, “Dailies” so I don’t have to scroll through to land on something that fits. But also, anything Chibs Okereke narrates can be in my ears fooorrreeeeever. Amen.
Tell me, what is a practice you return to in order to close out one year and open another?
Also- be on the lookout for another bonus newsletter this weekend that’ll include a list of the books I read in 2022, how I felt about them, and direct links for you to grab them yourself. :)