Hushed tones

Time to get mindful

One North-Easterly gust

That is all it took, everywhere I look

Leaves came tumbling

Nature’s earthy rainbow

Every hue, singing in the new

Let’s find our destiny

The grass in my garden is hiding under a duvet of leaves. The winds have dropped and there is a quiet in the air. The skeletal silhouettes of the trees serve as a reminder that winter is nearly here.

The frenzy of the commercial side of the festive season can be overwhelming. For survival, I find that increasing mindful acts at this time of year is crucial, to remain in the moment rather than being swept up with societal expectations, stressful traditions or to have to live up to what the media depicts as the “perfect festive time”. This year, more than any other, I intend to turn inwards and make sure I live life to the full, my way.

Mindful Creativity

It is now that I feel compelled to start my nature collection and create, to keep hold of some of the windfall before it rots, and make it into something to be treasured. Every year I try to “go” more eco, and Christmas time is my main shift from plastic manufactured to eco, natural creations that show and encourage what can be done with a little time, patience and imagination.

I press some of the more colourful fallen leaves and make them into decorative tags for presents, adding biodegradable glitter for an extra bit of sparkle. I use fallen twigs and cones to make Christmas decorations and table centrepieces.

Mindful creativity, especially with natural materials, allows you to get into the process of creating. Yes, there is an end product but the important part is the element of being in the moment of creation and watch objects unfold before your eyes.

Mindful Freedom

I have also pledged that I will set time aside for myself to witness how much freedom I truly have. I am free to walk most places with a feeling of safety.

I will choose to visit the coastline, the forest, the river and parts of my surroundings that bring me peace. I will spend time enjoying solitude so that I can sit and dream. I will express my wishes gently and say yes, or no, if that is what feels right. I will start a winter gratitude journal as a reminder of how lucky I am.

Mindful Noticing

I will ensure that I will look and taste the food on my plate with added awareness….the act of mindful eating truly does make the food taste more intense and delicious. Also, giving myself fresh nutrients daily will support my health and wellbeing which is needed more than ever at this time of the year as we are exposed to winter germs.

I will watch out for the silvery spiders webs delivered daily, the shiny evergreens getting ready to be brought indoors. I will look up in the hope of a glimpse of a crow in flight, peachy winter sunsets, a meteor shower, the northern lights. Nature watching rather than tinsel gathering is a must for me.

Mindful Peace

I will try and find moments of deep, inner peace. That means giving up on things that bring me angst. So less phone and tv. Less fighting the crowds and queuing for stuff! More silence, more words (reading and writing them). More connecting with people who matter. More rest.

Not for everyone!

For some, this style of existence may appear dull and boring. Some thrive from being in the thick of it. But for a quiet, introverted, undiagnosed neurodivergent this is my ideal way of existing. After the last leaf has fallen, my need to protect myself from the fraughtness of the season becomes amplified. I believe it is so important to get to know what you need to survive and thrive and put things in place to ensure you are able to get what you need.

My Horse Chestnut tree, free from leaves, ready for a rest.

I am curious:

What mindful activities take you into a place of peace?

What have you noticed lately that has taken your breath away?

What seasonal activity do you:-

a) want to keep close to you?

b) want to ditch?