Fire is the element of summer, and they make a good pair because the season is fun at a certain intensity, and punishing and oppressive when that energy is in excess. As the temperature fluctuates from heat wave to the more usual weather, I like to take it as an invitation to observe my own inner flame. Is it burning too low, or dangerously high? Does it need to be fed with activity and socializing, or is it better to rest and take a break from festivities?
Because winters here can be so harsh, I feel compelled to be outside more, do more things with friends, before the days start to get colder and shorter. That can be a great impulse to follow when I am properly nourished and rested, or disastrous when I need to focus my energies on myself. As the season with the most yang energy, it calls us to be active and laugh together; and it can feel counterintuitive to take quiet time for ourselves.
As I was out walking in the heat earlier, I was listening to an episode of the Thrive Beyond Size podcast, and Dr. Michelle Tubman said something that really resonated with me. “You don’t ever have to earn your rest… You deserve to have rest simply because you have a human body that needs it from time to time.”
Getting enough rest has been tough for me the last few nights, which has meant making peace with doing less during the day (and napping here and there when possible). It isn’t reasonable of me to expect the same pace when I am sleep deprived and focusing on hydration and keeping cool. Some concrete examples of this include:
- skipping my kettlebell routine and reminding myself that it’s okay to do so
- declining invitations or making sure I don’t schedule myself consecutive days of social activity
- moving things indoors or to times when the summer heat is less of an obstacle
As rest belongs to yin and activity belongs to yang, we can feel a tension with the season when we are slowing things down. Remember that everything is in cycle, including your body’s own energies, and rest will lead to activity again. If you need help balancing those energies or finding a moment of rest, I am here for you.
Reminder: I am extending my PINKPURPLE discount to Allies through August 31st. Use the promo code when you reserve your time online:
