Creating (and Re-creating) Self-care Routines

In this wild summer season, with more light, more yang (more activity), and so much fiery heat, I’ve been thinking a lot about flexibility and routines.

Routines often go out the window during summer. And often that’s ok. No rhythm will be rigidly maintained forever, and sometimes circumstances will basically demand that we change. Or we’ll just notice that what we’ve been doing isn’t actually reflecting what we actually want.  

It’s actually an advanced act of self-reflection to decide how to be flexible, and to discern when it’s time to adapt to both the rhythms of the season outside and to the rhythm of your current phase of life. 

In Chinese Medicine, the season of mid-life, which is where I am in my life cycle (hopefully, if I’m lucky!!!), is often defined as summertime. In summer, we’re at the peak of expansion and might be humming along and enjoying life just fine. 

But it’s also true that once we pass the summer solstice, we are also sliding (albeit slowly) towards autumn, the season of decline. As we peak, we also feel the pull of gravity and time. 

I recently joined a gym because I (long) realized that my joints really need the protection and consolidation of strength training. I’ve been thinking about joining a gym for literally months and months and even more months, and that’s totally ok. 

After maxing out on my growing home gym of equipment, I finally  decided to harness the fiery potential of summertime to take care of my skeleton and muscles. It took awhile for me to decide to actually do it. So don’t be too hard on yourself if the discernment process feels fairly long. 

My physical therapist (who helps me get my wacky joints aligned) asked me how often I’m planning to go to the gym and I first enthusiastically said, “Three days a week!” But pausing to reflect again, I answered, “At least one time a week, probably twice, and possibly three days.” 

I have a little notepad where I’m tracking my gym-going and so far it has three ticks for 10 days, which is probably enough for right now.

Routines take time to build. So take the small steps. I bought some dumbbells and worked out at home for a fairly long time. And now I’m feeling more confident diving in at the actual gym. 

Whatever it is you’ve been wanting, take just some tiny steps, steps that will help you hold on to your aspiration, and when your heart is ready, may you be backed by the sun of your heart in fulfilling your dreams.

Happy Summer, 

Monica 

PS: Summer got you feeling worn-down or frayed? Join me at my next at-home restorative yoga practice on SUNDAY July 26th at 10am! Details here.