15 November 2012

Changing of Habits, Changing of Seasons


This post is written by contributing author Shelly Kerry.

Oh winter! Moving from the East Coast to San Francisco, winter definitely has some different meanings to me. I don’t miss the frigid temperatures, the ice or the snow for that matter and am very content with the manageable SF weather. But I still deal with some of the internal and emotional changes that come with the sun setting earlier. I still spend more time at home getting comfy on my couch and still fight to stay motivated during a time that my body naturally wants to slow down.

Two of my favorite online ladies, Jena and Jen from The Maven Circle spoke this week on maintaining good habits. Our minds must have been aligned because I too had been spending the last few weeks thinking about how the change of seasons can affect all of our good routines – exercise, healthy eating and spending time with friends. It may not matter whether the temperature is 65 or negative 10. There might be emotional attachments that come with the autumn and winter months that call for a change in action.

As we prepare for the winter months, make time to check in with yourself. It is a great habit whether you check in when you exercise, when you wake up in the morning or when you meditate. 
Photo: kanelstrand
Don’t be afraid of maintaining positive conversations with yourself. “How many times did I skip the gym this week?” ”How many hours did I spend creating or working on my projects?” Develop an honest and always kind and forgiving relationship with your thoughts. Being honest allows you to make the necessary changes. On my days off I usually prefer to work out in the later afternoon. However, with the sun setting at 5:30 pm these days I am realizing that I will have to work out earlier or it’s just not going to happen. Is it getting to chilly for your walks? I plan on replacing my afternoon walks with a warming yoga class.

I have very unconventional work hours and tend to stay up very late working. If you find yourself with similar habits maybe join me in my promise to go to bed and wake up one hour earlier. With the sun rising earlier this will give you the extra hour of daylight you might be missing. This is a hard one for me!

Take advantage of the time you want to spend inside. Get crafty, start new projects and fill your house with healthy foods and snacks. Make your home an awesome, comfy place to be during the less motivating months. Don’t let it become a dark and depressing place. Plan a few gatherings for friends and family and spend some time getting your home ready for company.

With staying home in mind, this is a great time to define a motivating and inspiring space in your home just for you. If you share your home with your family, your partner or roommates, you all will be probably spending more time inside. If you are like me, you need a space you can call your own. Even if it is just a small desk in the living room, claim it and make it an inspiring, clutter free zone where you can find a little space.

And lastly get outside! Bundle up and spend at least one day a week meeting friends or family out for coffee or something else fun. Let us all promise to not get trapped by the early evenings and chilly temperatures.

Shelly is the founder of the program Creating Space, Mindful Living – motivating and inspiring people to run their businesses more efficiently. She helps others look at their personal and professional lives and explore what is and isn’t working. As a jewelry designer she has spent many years testing and honing the skills and discipline needed to run your own creative business while still having time for friends, family and fun. She puts her wealth of experience to use in the Creating Space service – healthy living advice to help keep you motivated and make the most out of your already busy schedule. She will help you find both the physical and emotional space so you can pursue your dreams and she’ll always insist there’s time for yourself. You can also find Creating Space on Facebook or contact shelly@creatingspacemindfulliving.com


16 comments:

  1. I have so much trouble with this! The winter is hard for me to maintain a balance. I get so cold, that I always just want to stay under the covers. Once I get outdoors, I always love it, but it is the actual steps to get out the door that are hardest!
    -Jamie
    http://chatterblossom.blogspot.com/

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  2. When I lived in the Midwest and East Coast I really shut down during the winter, even struggled with seasonal depression. My suggestion is to let go of the idea of balance. Tell yourself it is ok to want to spend more time at home - make the most of the time inside. Invite your friends over for coffee or lunch. Take on more at home projects.
    Maybe find a friend or family member that struggles with this too and make dates with each other. You could help motivate each other to leave the house and keep it easy. Go some place near by or where you don't have t0 spend so much time in the cold. I spent a lot of time in warm movie theaters and museums!
    Bundle up darling! Love those vintage oxfords you found - swooning!

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  3. Great post! I lived in California, Arizona and Texas most of my life and have been in Michigan now since 2009. It has been so difficult for me in the winter months, I don't like the cold and driving in the snow is NOT fun! I like to hibernate during the cold gloomy months, I spend more time in my studio creating so it's productive too.

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    1. Naturally we are supposed to hibernate, right? It's hard to adjust I am sure but what a great time to shift focus and get productive at home!

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    2. And thank you for reading dear!

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  4. That is so true - exercise does lessen during the winter months - great encouraging post. I however an am odd one - I LOVE winter!! - I love snow & cold and I actually get grumpy in the summer when it is continuously sunny & hot (seriously) - California is not the place for me.
    Stopping by from Blogging Buddies.
    Thanks
    Angie
    godsgrowinggarden.com

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    1. Ha! You are so lucky! You probably are spreading the appreciation simply through your winter glow. Awesome Angie!

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  5. I have so many schedules to keep me all together and to help me do what I should. Heck, I actually design them as a business. Still Winter knocks me for a loop. I don't want to get out of bed because it's cold. I don't want to exercise because I'm out of sorts. Lol, too many excuses, right?

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    1. I hear you! It's tough. I used to keep a cozy favorite sweater near by bed and promised myself a great cup of coffee to get me motivated to getup. The tricks we play on ourselves......
      Treat yourself often during these cold months

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  6. Winter is the time when I can FINALLY be at home!! I lik my evenings in and in summer everyone thinks that when I stay in, I am weird, but in fact I just love my home too much :) Its the most comfy and pretty and loved place I can imagine and I like being in. Winter gives me excuse too!!
    However, I get slow and not so organized and lazy and a bit fat... Well, all things have pros and cons :)

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    1. I love it! It is so awesome that you love to be at home. My home is my sanctuary too

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  7. This is so timely, Shelly! I agree that a good way to feel accomplished at the end of the day, is by staying true to your reality —adapting to the changes the seasons bring, for example.

    There are certain things I avoid doing during the year (even if I really feel like doing them!) and postpone them until the winter locks me indoors. Knitting, for instance. By the time winter comes around I'm actually excited to switch gears! :)

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    1. You are setting yourself up for happiness! Brilliant and so so healthy

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  8. What a great post and I sure do love your SF climate! I've been there during about every season. I dread the winter here because I live in the snowbelt along Lake Michigan and we get dumped on! Talk about changing habits. It's two totally different lifestyles. But I can always look forward to spring.

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  9. Great advice! I definitely get in a fall/winter rut and barely leave the house. Of course that affects my mood. Just because it's cold and dark doesn't mean it isn't worth going out. Sometimes it's just needed!

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  10. Really great post with some wonderful advice. The winter months are hard on many people, so these tips are very helpful in keeping in tune.
    ~Kim

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