December is a month where we are all often dashing around and stressed, trying to create the idealistic Christmas, cooking too much rich food, drinking too much alcohol and Sellotape and glitter becomes a permanent part of your outfit as you wrap a gift while your loved ones have popped to the shops.
With Santa visits, family expectations, and overindulgence, often December can be full of overwhelm, but time in nature reminds you that life continues and nature's wheel turns in its beautiful momentum of bright berries, wispy seedheads, and soft green mosses as the trees become naked and show their scars, quirks, and structures. Take half an hour to breathe amongst the trees or take 10 minutes to observe the garden birds. Allow nature to fill you with inspiration and re-energise you to jump back into the Christmas chaos. Don't let the obligatory Boxing Day walk be your only time in nature in the next few weeks.
If you stop, even for a few minutes, you may not miss the starling murmuration or the territorial calls from tawny owls. You might hear the screams of mating foxes and get to know some regular garden birds that visit your feeders. Don't let the only mistletoe you see be the one hanging above your door, or the tree be the only one standing in your house glistening with lights. December is beautiful in its completeness of letting go, and that dread of winter blues slips away when you take time (however small the amount) to take stock in nature regularly.
During December, I will share with you some calm amidst the chaos with audios, meditations, and immune-boosting recipes to support us through the indulgence.
If you find yourself among nature to forage foliage for your Christmas decorations, please be mindful of leaving enough berries for the wildlife. They seem to be scarce this year, and I, for one, don't want to leave wildlife struggling for the sake of a pretty house for two weeks.
If Christmas is a difficult time for you after losing a loved one, I will offer some suggestions to help you navigate the festivities by honouring your loved ones and yourself.