Deep Breaths & New Months

Friday, December 2nd, 2022 | 8 Kislev 5783

***Takes Deep Breath**** 

Happy first Friday of December, y’all :) 

I’ve officially made it to the end of the semester that I thought would never end.  Before Thanksgiving I was feeling depleted, tired, and ready to just be done with everything. I wasn’t  quite sure I had the capacity to do everything that needed to be done. Thanksgiving break is always a challenging time for students - you want to be present with family and unplug from the to-do list, but the second you get back to reality to have to hit the books and turn in all the final assignments. Sounds stressful, right?? 

Somehow I managed to do some of the best time management of my graduate school career - doing enough work prior to Thanksgiving to actually have time to rest. I still did some work during the break, but being out of my typical routine for a few days was extremely needed. I came back to reality energized to finish the semester strong. This week I’ve felt like I was able to hit a reset button, able to accomplish a variety of tasks, while also listening to my body and prioritizing joy. Two weeks ago, that felt almost impossible. 

Why do I feel the need to tell you this though? It’s because in the past two weeks, I’ve been reminded of how important taking a true BREAK can be. Not just a hour screen break, or a doom scroll on TikTok. A break that provides a change of scenery, the opportunity to connect with family or friends, and engage in nourishing conversations, nature, and food. This is the kind of break that is restorative for a longer period of time. When was the last time you had something like that? 

 Shabbat is a great place to start. I know what I’m describing is more than 24 hours, but think about what you  can do this week to create a Shabbat that hits on some of those touchpoints. 

• How can your Shabbat spark restoration into your regular routine? 

• Where can you find nourishment, connection, and a change of scenery this Shabbat? 

• What do I need to prioritize to feel rested during the winter season? 

All important questions to consider as we begin navigating December, a season that brings joy and celebration, but also darkness and a different routine. What kind of restful routine can you create to make sure the light continues to shine through to 2023?

With that I wish you a restful and restorative extended Shabbat Shalom!

Ethically,

Emily