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Thanks for sharing this post! I’m very much feeling that I require more rest actually before I jump into my big new year goals.

Yes I have plans, frameworks and systems to make them into a reality but I’m missing a key element. Energy.

Currently I’ll focus on surviving and perhaps in spring, I’ll be ready for extra curricular activities.

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Totally get you; some call it 'wintering,' and there's a poetic book about this from Katherine May. Actually, in nature, winter is needed to restore and replenish, preparing for the next season. It's only us humans who have decided that we should function year-round with the same energy levels, which, of course, is impossible. Let's be gentle with ourselves and enjoy the rest.

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I have been feeling this so much more in the past few years, the need to "winter". For most of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, even the gloomy weather encourages us to take it easy, rest and restore. The need to align ourselves (myself) with the cycles of nature is becoming more evident to me. It is so hard though! Especially when you are at the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey, and you constantly feel that not being constantly productive might mean no income. I still ponder how to best approach this at a time when my body and my brain need a longer break.

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deletedJan 2Liked by IMMA Collective
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Thank you, Tess, for your thoughtful response. You've posed a great question, one I'll be pondering over the next few days.

I feel a strong responsibility to practice what I preach. There's a sense of shame and guilt when I act against my beliefs and values.

I appreciate your concept of making conscious choices. It's a perspective I prefer over my usual notion of making trade-offs.

Ultimately, my goal is to integrate rest into my daily routine, rather than oscillating between being extremely busy and resting. It usually takes a few days to wind down, and I believe that recovering from exhaustion isn't something that can be achieved in just a few days or weeks. This requires practice, self-compassion, and the support of those around you who can offer reminders, check-ins, and sometimes, a gentle reality check.

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