Well, we made it... to 2021 that is. You see I have always celebrated the official start of the New Year on January 7th, for a couple of reasons, I like to joke it's because of Three Kings' Day. By my calendar, the holiday season technically ends on January 6th (you can look it up… I swear it follows a Christian feast day called Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day…thanks catholic school!) and is the last day of the year. I march to my own beat (and time I guess.). So if you follow my calendar, Thursday was the first day of 2021 (gasp!). I was itching to get to 2021. Ouch. Well, we are here, and now what?
On January 5th, I went to bed worried about Georgia. On January 6th, I went to bed worried about our entire country and quite frankly humanity. It was restless last night. Another sleepless night, just like many others I have experienced in 2020. Many of those nights I have been consumed by thoughts of inequality, injustice, entitlement, anxiety, sorrow, pain, and death. Really my list of worries could go on and on... I think you get the picture. Last Wednesday night was no different.
I have a bit of strategy when I experience sleeplessness. I get up. I walk around (some may call it pacing). I get a drink of water and I make a list. It is a two-column list. Column A is a list of "things" or conflicts of the day. Really it's a list of the "why's" I am not sleeping. It's the power struggle between my thoughts and my sleep. Sometimes it is really specific recalls of the day other times it's feelings or emotions that I just can't shake. Column B is a list of "things" I am grateful for. This column starts really specific, tangible or tactile, and evolves.
Column A represents the past, something that is fixed (cannot be changed), and the future, is something that hasn't even happened yet (the unknown) getting them (my fears and anxiety) down on paper, helps me let them go. Column B is my happy place, what's right in front of me (ok not literally because it is usually a dark room but it's my present). Even when it is darkest before the dawn I can find hope in Column B, it settles me.
After that exercise, I get back in bed. I start to feel a shift in the body! I am less tense and gradually my mind starts to settle too. Once I feel my body start to relax I add a sleep mantra. It is a meditation for a restful sleep. I repeat until I drift off. I'd be lying if it worked every time. Just being real here, but I have a pretty good streak going right now :).
I have shared the sleep mantra meditation on my resources page, hopefully, it helps you too. If you have strategies for your restlessness I would love to hear them. What would be in your Column B?
In 2021 I hope you find peace, ease, and energy in the present moment, no matter what the past or future may be.
PS. Do you want to experience 2021 together? For the month of January, you can join me on the Yoga Kula, a monthly unlimited yoga community, for $50/month (automatically billed with the ability to cancel anytime)! Check out my 2021 class schedule and Kula details! All classes are being held via Zoom with Replays available. Don't worry if taking a yoga class online is new to you, I walk you through it step by step.
PSS. If you are interested in learning more about my virtual private session, corporate, and teams yoga programs, for 2021 feel to reach out.