I’ve been examining a lot of my thoughts and behaviors lately, inspired by books and podcasts I’ve spent time consuming. The biggest question that I’ve come up with is: who made this rule for you? Why do you follow it? Gosh. What a big question. And the answer is equally big: I don’t know, it’s just something I thought adults did. I just thought that adults meal planned. I assumed adults didn’t rest unless everything on their to do list was done. I grew up seeing homes that looked a certain way, and though that’s not something I care about particularly, it’s what I did.

Is it February yet? My two least favorite months, in order, are 1. April and 2. The second half of January. Maybe it’s the rain talking for me, or the fact that I don’t want to take down my Christmas tree because I’m feeling especially cottage core at the moment, but I’m feeling lost in time. Never fear: I found a few ways this week to mark, nay, enjoy the passage of time.

It’s a long weekend for many here in the United States. Whether that means that you have off from work, or simply don’t get the mail delivered that day, I encourage you to think about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King’s words are just as relevant now as they were then, because the same injustices run rampant in our society in 2023 as they did in the 1960s.

Happy New Year, my beautiful friends. You made it; it’s 2023. You may be feeling more “new year, new deductible” than everyone’s favorite “new year, new me.” Fear not, I am not here to encourage you to be someone new. You’re already great! Instead, I have suggestions for easy pasta upgrades, a great movie that’s now streaming, and attainable goals.

Next week is the Winter Solstice, and I can feel it. It will be the longest night of the year. I’m always encouraged by the idea that after that, the nights will be shorter and the daylight hours will get longer. I’m thinking a lot about the things that bring me comfort during long nights – and between some delicious snacks, a score from my childhood memories, and some creativity, I’ve got some suggestions to share.

It’s here: December. The month of merriment, where folks expect you to be holly-jolly all the time. And yet, as a part of the cancer community, it can be much harder than that. We are observing holidays and traditions without those that we’ve lost. We’re ringing in the new year, and we thought things would be different by now. We may be approached with that all-too-common question “how are you doing?” by our great Uncle Malcolm who just does not get it.

Did you get to see the beautiful full moon this week, or the eclipse? With the clocks turning back, it was so comforting to have an enormous bright moon shining in my yard. I’m as woo-woo as the next vegetarian former yoga teacher, and there are many traditions in which moon cycles are indicators of specific actions, rituals, or thoughts.