Hello Dear One,
How are you? Taking good care, I hope. I’ve felt a heavy energy around the last week, perhaps due to changing seasons or the undercurrent of anxiety rippling through the world. Yes, that could be it. Although things are freer now, and in some ways may seem ‘normal’, remember we’re still dealing with an unknown. It’s ok to feel what you feel.
This week is about letting go.
Eighteen months ago I arrived at a yoga retreat in Portugal where we were encouraged to set our intentions. I was in recovery from my most severe period of depression and, as we sat in the wood-panelled studio, coloured light from stained glass mandalas patterning the floor, I felt deep gratitude to simply be there, to have survived. I was also beginning to unpick what made me unhappy, with the help of wonderful teachers and healers. ‘I surrender to that which I cannot control’, I said to the circle. ‘That’s big,’ my teacher replied. It is. Huge. We all know if we didn’t worry our lives would feel so much freer. We cannot change how other people behave, the economic climate, the weather. And yet relinquishing worry requires us to relinquish control. It leaves us vulnerable. When I think of this intention I concentrate on how I will feel: peaceful, relaxed, spacious, creative. It’s worth it.
All of us, hard as it is, would benefit from letting go of any ideas we have about controlling the outcome of this pandemic. What we can choose is how we respond, what we fill our time with and who we keep close.
With the full moon on Thursday (whether or not you believe in it) I invite you to think about what you might be holding on to that is no longer helpful. It might be something physical, or another person, it might be self-doubt or limiting beliefs. What is holding you back?
You may want to repeat this, burn your list, howl it to the moon or tear it up in pieces and give it to the sea. Trust that you are creating space for something new.
Let me know if it helps. Thanks for being here, and being you.
All love,
Jo
P.S. - If you’re enjoying this letter (published free every Tuesday) leave a message in the comments, follow me on Instagram or tell a friend.
This is so powerful! I'm going to make time to do this, thanks Jo!