Dear readers,
Even though the Midwest has a chill in the air this week, spring has officially arrived at our doorstep, complete with mud on its boots and a blue scarf trailing behind it (a remnant of winter). I'm taking some PTO from work and giving myself a long weekend – having Friday and Monday off to soak in every bit of sun I can and participate in spring cleaning.
This spring, I'm making an effort to slow down, to remove myself from constant motion and momentum. Or, at the very least, I'm making my best effort at it. While this time of year is a time to get up, move, and create goals, my intentions are specifically to move slower, embody what this year is bringing, pay attention to what piques my curiosity, and watch the many phenomena in nature unfold.
For instance, the magnolia tree has bloomed in our backyard – the light pink pedals are a sign of hope and a new beginning. Magnolias are one of the first of the trees and plants to bloom coming out of winter. While soft and delicate, I find them brave for coming alive amid some of the year's harshest storms. There is a poem in there somewhere. Being soft and sensitive is not an oxymoron to being courageous and brave.
We are also coming upon a lot of astrological phenomena. Tomorrow, Monday, March 25, there will be a lunar eclipse. Then, we all know of the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8. During the solar eclipse, over 300,000 people are estimated to be coming to my neck of the woods… so not only will it be an astrological phenomenon but a phenomenal gathering as well. I'm crossing my figures that it is not cloudy that day.
Everyone has their own way of showing up to unique experiences like these. I'm using these eclipses as a marker to reset and release the emotions and energies that haven't been severing me and that I've stored for too long. The last solar eclipse was in 2017, which turned out to be a pivotal year in my life. The years following it have been filled with vast waves of change, and growth, and becoming lasting to this very day.
I feel like this year can be the same way. I'm viewing it as an ending of sorts, to the past seven years that were so transformative, and the beginning of something new, like putting on a new pair of shoes that I can grow into. Of course, there isn't a way I know this for sure; it's more intuitive, instinctual knowing.
Starting with this lunar eclipse, I've taken the long weekend to clean, go on a solo day trip, and rest.
I never thought I'd say this, but having a whole day to clean and grocery shop in the middle of the afternoon is magical. I began by moving the mugs cluttered on the ledge of our upstairs window to the sink. Soaking all of our dishes in soapy suds until they were clean and put away in the place. Our dirty laundry that occupied the bedroom and bathroom floor was finally washed. And the washed laundry on our couch was finally on hangers in our closets. My office is still a work in progress, but our living room was dusted and our plants watered. I opened the windows briefly to let in the cool breeze, clearing out any lingering negative, stale energy.
Yesterday, I took a day trip to Bloomington, stopping at the Woolery farmers market, Hopscotch Coffee, and Goods for Cooks for coffee filters. On my way home, Brown County was calling my name, so I drove through the state park and found a place to sit around Ogal Lake. The wind was rough, so the ripples in the water caught sunbeams that sparkled like diamonds.
Deep inhale. Deep exhale.
When I return home – with the house mostly clean and the kitchen free to bake or cook dinner, which we do – I was already feeling refreshed. Out of my funk. Starting to feel the space to move at a pace that allows my mind to stop ruminating on worries and fears. Instead, opening up to possibilities and hope.
Our bodies can store a lot of stress, wear, and tear before they give in, but where is the beauty and enjoyment of life when we don't give ourselves enough time to release what isn't serving us and be grateful for where we find ourselves, at the dawn of a new day.
How are you holding up today? How are you moving through the transition from winter to spring? Are you going to celebrate the eclipse in any particular way? I'd love to hear about it.
As always, thank you for reading.