The holidays have passed, the solstice has come and gone and we have stepped into the new year. For me winter is a time that is much needed, a time to slow down and take in the warmth of the home. A reclamation of space. This new year has brought upon great change, it seems my life over the years seems to always be flowing in the waters of change. After years of creating and holding space for others, through retail gallery I have felt the calling to come back to me. To come back to my roots, settle into a familiar foundation. The little retail gallery, The HeArt Box has shifted again from open doors to the public to a sacred space of creating for me. A space to be quiet, inward and to create with authenticity.
I am learning to take my time, to let creation come about as it does, freely. Since settling into my studio I find myself getting lost in time. Devoured by the work, not wanting to stop. Putting my heart into the whole of it. Taking time to study, to play and connect with the journey.
I have desired for so many years to shift to live more in-tune with the seasons, thinking of winter as the quiet, healing space and the magic of rest. Taking a place by the hearth to warm and get lost in the fire, to dream of possibilities ahead. As spring is in the not too far off distance I ready myself to emerge. To share that what has been learned, created and came to fruition. As the cold lingers on it is a sharp reminder to not get too far ahead of myself, to remain in the winter. Hibernation has its place, a time to nurture the depths of one’s soul and the darkness has its teachings and knowledge to share. The stillness of the trees, reminders of the silence in the snow. The birds still hanging around, living life as they always have. Some days, on the warmer days I hear them ready to awaken as we all are but that too passes with each coming storm.
Winter can leave a feeling nakedness, even though it’s the most clothes we will wear all year. There is a vulnerability in this season, exposed to nature at its harshest. And the ground, frozen in its protective shell. A time to harden itself to the world above. Keeping life alive, deep underneath to emerge when the timing is right. With every step I take on this hardened surface I dream of spring when we can touch again.
THE YIN OF IT ALL
I believe in the energetics of things, seasons too. Something I started to think more about. Working in retail now for many years there is rhythm of the world driven by capitalism and holidays, shopping times. With transitioning to living more accordance to the changing in the seasons it is noticed more, Winter being the Yin. Yin being more of a feminine energy grounded in earth. I like to think of it as an inward energy.
As I go more inward, reflective I have been taking this time to explore my abilities. To take my time with sketches and studies, more play. Everything has seemed to slow down, even walking in winter takes an extra level of care and time. Work becomes investigative, experimenting, a delightful time to try new things. I also like to take this time to plan, look ahead. How will I achieve goals for myself and make the steps towards them.
Wellness of Space
As we step more into our homes, offices and less out we are forced to confront our things. I have been taking this time to go through everything, the judgement for every item of do you serve me or not. I enjoy Marie Kondo’s practice of does this bring me joy, if not it is time to let go of it and thank the item for what it has given to me.
What we fill our spaces with can contribute to our wellness, how we see our space can be uplifting, calming or create more stress. So with the changes upon me I have been once again taking the time to reassess all that surrounds me internally in my life and work. From the artwork in my home, to the lighting, to the way I can move through a room. This can also be a good time to not only examine our material world but our internal self. Our bodies, the natural home we exist in. I have been taking time to naturally feel what I want to eat, what will encourage joy and what keeps me feeling low. And the physical movement, yoga. I love this time of year because my favorite at home yoga teacher, Adriene Mishler starts a new 30 day yoga challenge the first day of the year, somehow I always manage to miss it. This year I started off strong, got off routine and now starting from the beginning again a reminder we can always start again. Challenging myself in a gentle way, I have found the yoga practice to benefit me throughout the day; mind, body and spirit. Doing this first thing in the morning gives me the feeling like I have already accomplished so much, the rest of the day is easy.
Winter may not be everyone’s cup of tea but for me it brings and demands a much needed reset. To reconnect with self, close ones and to my space. I hope that you are finding winter to be a time to rest, spend time inward and dream of the brighter days ahead.
First painting of 2022
Jill Sans is an artist based in Flagstaff, Arizona. Her work is that of beautification from paintings to cosmetic tattooing. She currently work out of The HeArt Box Studio and Gallery in historic downtown, Flagstaff.