What is your wellness and self-care routine?

Every day is a new beginning: Every season is also a new beginning

It's been a bit since I've been able to sit down and write. 

I have been taking some time out this summer to gather my energy. There has been lots going on in my world and I'm sure you are experiencing the same.  The world doesn't slow down just because we get busy.  In fact, sometimes it seems to go even faster...Am I right???  :-)

In the Chinese calendar, we are now making our way into Late Summer which is represented by the Earth Element.  We will spend about 10 weeks here the Earth Element, before the next transition which will be Fall and the Metal Element. Interestingly this earth times is coinciding with National Wellness Month.

Here are some points about Earth to get us started:

• Earth is one of the Five Elements in Chinese medicine

• Earth is the Planet we live on and our home in space

• Earth describes the soil which grows food and sustains us

• Earth is the supportive ground upon which we stand, move and live

This time of year is a great time to attend to needs and to find emotional nourishment and support.

In TCM the Spleen system belongs to the Earth element. The functions of the Spleen are adaption, nourishment and support. On a physiological level, the Spleen is connected to the digestive process and our ability to extract energy from our food. On the anatomical level, the Spleen is expressed through the fascia and soft tissues and when the fascia is free we feel ‘at home’ in our bodies.

Perimenopause and even the years preceding this stage are times to build strong Spleen energy. So how can we strengthen and maintain our Spleen?

• Physically - Stretching. This helps to ease out the constrictions and helps to relax and tone. Thing Yin Yoga or a certain form of Qigong. Massage is also a great way to release toxin buildup and encourage ourselves to soften.

• Mentally - Let go of ruminating. Make time to work in short bursts and get out into the fresh air.

• Emotionally - Honour your needs, and be kinder to yourself. Maybe join a support group or find ways to deeper fulfilment within your relationships.

As I mentioned above the Spleen is associated with the Earth and the Divine Mother. We can support our Spleen by attending to our relationship with the earth. That may mean becoming more grounded, gardening, working with clay or simply connecting with the soil, plants and the seasons.

Books, Podcasts and more….

Taking time out has allowed me to re-read some glorious books. I have been particularly delving back into "The Second Half of Life" by Angeles Arrien. So much wisdom and sacred practices from this amazing author, sadly no long with us. How we can be guided through the eight gates to becoming a wiser elder.

Earlier this month I joined 5 other amazing founders of MenoClarity on ‘Why We Need More MenoClarity’. What a fun podcast! Six of the founders of MenoClarity, Rachel Lankester, Pat Duckworth, Prof Joyce Harper, Clarissa Kristjansson, Kate Codrington and Ann Marie McQueen talking about why we’ve come together and what we hope to achieve with MenoClarity. This is a wild and at times hilarious conversation! To hear it in full go to Magnificent Midife podcast

We talk about:
* The menopause myths we’re hoping to bust
* Bringing some positivity to menopause without being Pollyannaish about it
* Establishing a middle reliable ground in the currently very polarized menopause world
* Bringing clarity to what symptoms are really due to menopause and what might not be
* Cherry-picking research findings to suit certain narratives
* The dangers of getting information from social media
* Providing trusted sources of information
* The three stages of womanhood - none should be the default, they all matter
* How we’re not broken in midlife and we don’t need fixing

Just a quick reminder that our inaugural online summit on Friday 29 September - MenoClarity Live: Menopause Without The Hype. Sign up for the live event at the link in the MenoClarity

I am pacing the rest of August and using this time to harvest so many wonderful conversations from the Thriving Thru Menopause podcast as I prepare to focus more on a YouTube channel that has a strong TCM focus. I am also revising my introductory course on Radiant Lotus Qigong as prepare for my 7-month personal mentorship with Daisy Lee to become a women’s qigong-focused expert. Live is good and as one chapter slowly closes another opens.

Enjoy this Earth season, and nourish yourself in preparation for the autumn. Harvest the goodness in your life!

Clarissa x