The Start of a New Year
Embracing the season of winter - slow down and nuture your body, mind & soul + Free Workbook to help you set your goals and intentions for 2023
2022 has been a rough year for many. If you are reading this and feeling like you are still trying to gain your footing from the past year (or three), I must say that I am right there with you. There is a lot that has felt broken, and there is a lot that has also transformed; there has both been grief and growth.Â
Let us give ourselves some grace for all that we have endured over these past few months. Let us bring our attention to what we need to water and nourish the most in our current state of being.Â
The Start of the New Year -Â
I love seeing everyone set their intentions and resolutions for the year. And although I am one to journal and set intentions (almost daily), with the start of the new year, I am finding the need to SLOW DOWN and NURTURE before jumping into all of the new things …
Do you feel ready to jump into something right away and start new goals, or do you need time to sit, reflect, and plan what you want to expand, heal, and nurture during this next year?
As a seasonal living enthusiast - the rhythm of winter is very reflective; it’s a time of restoration and peace. It’s time to explore what we want to plant come the beginning of spring when we have a new beginning - a renewal.Â
So though I hold no judgment toward anyone setting goals and getting started right away, for those of you just gaining your footing after the holiday season, it is fine to still be in the cocoon of the winter season - going inward, contemplating, and resting.
3 Practical Ways for Mothers to Gain More Energy & Feel Better MentallyÂ
I had originally planned to share a bit more on some wellness for January, but as I have been listening to my body, I am taking it a little slower this month. I shared a post on Instagram about gaining energy back to restore both body and mind after the busy holiday season - if you missed that post, I have included the details below + a few extra tips in each category to get you started. These are things that you can do right now, even if you’re taking a slower approach to your wellness goals in the new year.
Earthing
Put down the phone and get outside! Don't bring the phone with you out there either. Just sit in nature. Take your shoes off and let your feet touch the Earth. This will allow you to feel more grounded in your mind and body. Combined with the fresh air and sunlight, your body is sure to get a natural boost.
Earthing, is basically walking barefoot outdoors, in order to ground yourself and connect deeper to the Earth and nature. There are many health benefits to walking barefoot, these include:Â
✧ Better sleep
✧ Decreased anxiety
✧ Naturally boosted energy
✧ Relaxing muscle tension
✧ Boosted immunity
To Begin :
✧ Find a quiet place in nature. This could be right in your backyard
✧ Remove your shoes and try to clear your mind as best you can as you walk barefoot in the grass, dirt, etc.
✧ If you feel inclined you can also lie down at this time, taking deep intentional breaths. This is also a great time to sit in prayer and connect with your own intuitive voice.
Nutrient Dense Foods
Adding nutrient-dense, fiber-rich foods will help to banish fatigue and improve your mental and physical wellness. Aim to start your day with proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats. Remember low carb and/or low fat only puts more stress on your body and could leave you feeling more depleted
Try this Energizing + Mood Boosting Breakfast
Eggs & Greens
2 Eggs - served your way (personal favorite - 2 over easy or soft-boiled)
+
Sweet PotatoesÂ
baked in the oven, 450 degrees for about 30 mins: slice into wedges, sprinkle with olive oil & sea salt, Serving size, depends on you, I would recommend about ½ sweet potato
+
Mixed Green SaladÂ
Toss together your favorite mixed greens (my favorite- blend of green leaf crunchy lettuce and a little 50/50 spinach/spring mix), with cherry tomatoes, diced red onions, shredded carrots, and two pieces of crispy bacon (recommend, oven baked, for less mess) + a simple dressing: Juice of ½ lemon, sea salt & olive oil
+
(optional) Fresh squeezed OJÂ
Prioritize
You hear a lot about balance in motherhood, but it is BS. Trying to do all of the things can cause your body more stress, resulting in fatigue. You cannot do it all in one day, and that is okay. Each day, prioritize what you need to take care of. Try mini routines to help you organize your days and reduce the daily overwhelm.
Quick tips to help you prioritize
✧ Make a list of all of the things you need to get done that day/week
✧ What are 1-2 urgent tasks? Make those your must-do’s for the day
✧ Start to chunk out the list each day with what is of the highest priority
Making the effort to also put yourself on the list of things to prioritize
✧ Start to make a list of things that help you to relax and bring you joy
✧ Add one of these to your daily schedule
NOTE: there is a worksheet in Fuel Your Soul to help you get more clarity on creating routines that bring you joy! I am including the journal prompts below - but if you want more context around these questions be sure to download your free ebook -
Journal Prompts for Priorizting Yourself in Motherhood
↠What do you want your day to be/feel like?
↠What relaxes you?
↠What brings you joy?
↠If you could do one thing for yourself every day (and time was not an issue), what would it be?
Reflect on your answers to help you start to plan mini routines
Thank you for joining me here today! I am so grateful to all of you who have decided to be part of this space with me! If you feel up to it, I would love to know what your intentions are for 2023, feel free to leave a comment below, or send me a message by email (jen@jennifercat.com) or Instagram =)
I look forward to sharing more with you over these next few months!
To a restorative winter - and growth in the new year 🌾
Don’t Forget to Download your Free Goal & Intention Workbook!
Did you download the Free eBook Fuel Your Soul yet?
Includes tips on how to start to ground your body and mind in one day, a simple meal plan (with recipes!), and worksheets for creating intentional mini-routines!
COMING UP:
Following Newsletter will arrive in early February - we will be looking ahead to the renewing properties of spring + how to apply them to our health & home - and how this helps us to stay more grounded in our mothering.Â
Until then - Follow on Pinterest for the newest blog posts & Instagram for wellness & homemaking quick tips note the deeper dives and articles will be saved for members, like you! =)Â
ARTWORK CREDIT: DEBBIE CLARK - Visit her Instagram page here for more inspirational pieces or her Etsy Shop to purchase!