Let’s Retreat
As Autumn sharply turns into Winter we find it is time to begin our retreat. Those once vividly bright leaves of orange, yellow and red are now merely mulch on the floor. They have been trodden over hundreds of times all whilst their former home settles into its hibernation. Its skeleton morphing into a silhouette on our horizons.
Thanks to my previous blog post I have adored autumn more than usual this year. Even with the extra rain Autumn strongly remains my favourite season! That being said, I am ready for the next season. I am ready to retreat.
The Holiday of Firsts
Once upon a time I was on holiday with a friend and her family. It was a holiday of firsts, my first time abroad, first holiday away from my parents and my first time away for 14 days. 14 whole days! When I first heard I’d be on holiday for two solid weeks I was beyond excited. A chance to experience new things, see new sights, rest, retreat, and adventure. It was going to be marvellous. That’s what I thought anyway.
When I hit the tail end of the first week I very much met an emotional slump. There was still one whole, entirely long week left. I wasn’t having a bad time, far from it, however all good things must come to an end (or so they say) and the holiday had already served its purpose. I had seen new things, I’d had the adventures, I’d retreated and rested. It left me with one question ‘What now?’
The same is true for our lives. If we keep on going and going we are regularly left with the ‘What Now’ question. This is what I love about learning from nature and embracing seasons in our life. You see, although Autumn is my favourite season (and always will be), now that I’ve reaped and sowed I’m ready to prune. It’s time to cut back the faffery (a new word you’re welcome to use) and focus on keeping it simple. In short, it’s time to retreat.
What does it look like to Retreat?
I find that one of the biggest temptations that comes with the darker nights and the sense of retreating is to put the TV on. There is something special about lighting a candle, snuggling up under a blanket and settling down to binge on a new or well loved box set. However, that is only sustainable for so long. Just like the 14 day long holiday it becomes too much after awhile and suddenly I very much feel those cold, long, dark nights. That is why I’ve found it’s important to keep my evenings variable when it comes to this time of year. Inject some dopamine hits where the sun and all its yellows is no longer bringing it.
As I’ve mentioned in my previous posts about wintering (The Importance of Wintering and The Joy of Wintering), being creative helps boosts those happiness hormones up no end. For this reason, and this reason alone, It made sense to start this transition in seasons off with a craft activity! I find craft packs fantastic because they allow me to properly switch off, I’m not trying to make sure I’m at peak creativity. I can retreat within my own calmness and just enjoy following the instructions, free from judgement.
Macrame Star
When these darker nights arrive and I’m bored of the TV, my fingers become irritable. I think that’s why I love doodling. I opted for this macrame set from Conscious Craft to keep my fractious fingers at bay, and I’m happy to let you know that it did work!
Let me set the scene. The sun had long since cast its shine yet the hours were still young. Even the cat had given up wishing to explore the darkness and wandered with a listless energy around the house. It wants to be living not sleeping. From the outside a bitter wind intermittently hits against the window wishing for us to feel its sting, but the house won’t let it. Then a glow appears, small a first, the light gradually brightening the room, bringing its warmth with it. This small glimmer from a singular candlestick brings the joy and comfort needed as I sat down to begin a well needed distraction from the darkness beyond.
It is from this scene I began my creative retreat. I wasn’t fully done with the TV, not just yet anyway. As this star macrame set is for Christmas I of course need to put on a Christmas film (The Holiday) to inspire me. It was helpful actually because this kit wasn’t easy at first. I needed the comforting tones of the poorly written script to soothe me. The instructions can only be described as basic. They assumed a level of macrame knowledge I just didn’t have, and so it needed a fair bit of head scratching and googling before I finally figured out how to macrame like a pro.
Once I had figured it out I was able to finish the whole piece long before Cameron Diaz had learnt how to cry again, and now I have something to hang up with pride this Christmas. Not only did I create it but I didn’t give up even when it was challenging! I’m really proud of it, probably more than one should be of a craft item, however isn’t that the point?
Why Retreat with a Craft?
Don’t waste away this season of darkness. Embrace all elements of retreating and make it one you can thrive in with pride, relaxation and full of the happy hormones we’ll be missing from the sun. You don’t have to do this particular craft just simply give crafting a try. Although if you do the star let me know and I’ll give you some tips.
Here’s how I pick a craft:
- First I think about what I’d like. For example, am I looking for something to hang on my wall, or wear, or put on my door.
- Then I search sites that meet a value criteria. For this craft I was looking for something eco-friendly, so I knew Conscious Craft would be the perfect place to visit for that. Other values could be; from an independent seller, cheap, something a child could do.
- After that I simply pick what I’d like and give it a go. You never know where it might lead you.
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