As much as this time of year can be about gathering close with loved ones to feast and revel and celebrate, much of which you might be orchestrating…

This is also a time of year when the deepest parts of who you are craves quiet, rest, and time to reflect and feel.

How much care do you give to the parts of yourself that are asking for space, solitude, and deep listening? How well have you been tending to your soul – especially when life gets full and busy?

You might be keenly aware of this desire to going inward. You might even tell yourself you’re going to do it before the year ends.

But do you have a plan?

Or will you try to fit it in at 10pm after a long day of doing 87,000 other things?

How successful do you think that’s going to be?

I’m a strong believer in listening to the yearnings of the body and soul. You might be one, too.

But believing in the importance of something and taking the time for them are two very different things.

When it comes to the holidays, or anything that the culture around us places a high value on (like productivity), it’s very easy prioritize other things over soul time.

This is because our inner Self moves at a very different speed and pace than the outer world. Entering into a dialogue with the deep wisdom within asks us to leave agendas and productivity mindsets at the door – something all of us have a hard time doing.

This means you must be even more intentional about taking time for quiet reflection and tending to your inner self. Because life is going to try and pull you into busy-ness if you’re not deliberate about it.

So, how can connecting with your inner wisdom help you create an amazing holiday for yourself and others?

How can listening to the guidance from your soul support you as 2022 comes to a close and 2023 begins?

There are some intangible things about connecting deeply within, and we can’t always quantify what we’ll get out of that time. The tendency to try and commodify time with our soul, or to try and justify it by making it about better productivity or higher achievement runs so very strong.

But what if it was simply about catching up with your inner knowing and truth? What if connecting inward to your most vital Self was reward enough?

I have a regular practice of connecting inward, and I always appreciate more extended time in that quiet, sacred space with my soul. It fills me up in ways very few other things can. My confidence always soars, and I feel so seen and supported.

If you want to ensure you get that slow-down time with yourself before the year ends, here are 5 tips for making time and space for your inner self this holiday season:

1. Plan for your success. As simple as it sounds, you need a plan for how, when, and where you will take time that’s just for you. Look at your calendar and find space in the coming days when you can do the things you love to do to connect inward. Next, get clear on where you will do them. Be specific so you know exactly what your plan is. This helps reduce resistance to taking this time for yourself. It also creates anticipation and excitement, which are so helpful for something like this. Map out the date and time you will dedicate to connecting inward and choose the space you need for what you want to do.

1. Decide how you will go within. How do you like to connect with your inner self? Do you like to listen to a guided meditation? Do you like to choose oracle cards and then journal? Do you prefer to tap into a community for the structure it provides? Do you like to work with your dreams, or spend time in nature? There are many ways to go inward, and you likely have your preferred way of doing this. The key here is to decide. Gather what you need so you’re ready for it – a candle, your journal and favorite pen, art supplies, an oracle deck – whatever you need. This way, when it’s time for you to go inward, you’re ready. You won’t need to spend your precious solo time trying to find what you need. This will maximize your “you” time, but it will also increase the likelihood your “you” time happens.

1. Consider sleep a part of your plan. Beyond that dedicated time to go inward, getting good, consistent, sufficient sleep over the next few weeks is just as important as setting aside time to journal and reflect. So, get clear with yourself: what time will you go to bed each night? What time will you wake up? How will you make your sleep environment what you really need it to be, especially if you plan to travel? Make this part of your plan, too. Regular, deep, sufficient sleep is so essential and nourishing to all of you, especially your inner self that’s been asking you for more sleep all year long. You may also wish to track your dreams with a dream journal by your bedside. However it is you work with dreams, it can be a powerful way to connect with your inner self.

1. Move your body in some way every day. If you have a regular movement practice, like walking your dog, workouts with your trainer, yoga, or dance, make sure you keep this in your calendar through the end of the year. If you don’t have a regular movement practice, it can be very powerful to add in a few minutes of stretching in the morning or evening. Maybe go for a walk around your neighborhood to get the blood flowing and clear the cobwebs from your mind. Or take a tennis ball, place it between you and a wall or the floor, and do some self-massage. The more you can tune into your body through movement – of any kind – the more it loosens and grants you access to the wisdom that lives within. This wisdom can inform you as you go into your reflection time. It can free up emotions that might otherwise go unnoticed or stay stuck. Let your body guide you to uncover the deepest desires that live in your heart for the year to come.

1. Create boundaries you will uphold. Remember, your boundaries are for you. You create them to ensure you are protecting something – like time with a loved one, meditation time for you, or attending your kid’s school play. You uphold boundaries so the things you want to preserve stay safe from interference of any kind. So, when it comes to creating that special time and space for yourself, including moving your body and sleep, what will you say no to? What will you let go of or delegate? What will you say YES to? How will you ensure that you get that much needed personal time to stay healthy, resilient, connected and kind? You get to choose all of this. Your boundaries will ensure it happens.

In the northern hemisphere, it’s dark. We crave this inner time. We yearn for rest and sleep just as much, if not more than holiday revelry. This is a time of year when we are all ready to evaluate the year and start preparing internally for the next.

These 5 tips can help ensure you get the much needed personal time you require at the end of this year. They can also help you throughout 2023, whenever you want to be more intentional, or you feel called to gather inner wisdom for a project, a big decision, or a life change that’s underway.

If you need a reason to connect with your inner self and soul, other than the longing you feel in your bones, remember this:

The most aligned actions do not come from our rational minds, or the very reasonable reasons why we think we should or shouldn’t do something.

The most powerful actions come from listening to our inner, more expansive, infinitely wise self, and then applying our thinking minds to the wisdom our inner self shares with us.

I hope you’ll join me in going inward and deep this December.

It can deeply serve you, all you put your energy towards, and everyone you love, too.

Let’s start creating the lives our hearts long for now by listening for the clear direction that lives within.

Lots of love,

Alicia

PS: Does gathering in a virtual community to spend time deepening into your inner wisdom appeal to you?

I am working on creating a virtual space for this and am curious if you are interested. If so, when it comes to tuning into your inner knowing, what is it you’d like to use this space for? What would you like to discover and explore most?

Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on this. Thank you!