It was sent to slow us down...

I love my children, but it was time for all four of them to go back to school. And on Monday, when they did, I was back out walking that 3km from my house down into the village for yoga.

But, I realised something along the way…

As I walked, it was about two degrees celsius. The paths and roads were icy. There was a hint of snow on the wind: my favourite type of winter weather.

For many years, I worked alongside Wim Hof on his adventures in the snowy Polish mountains. I learnt a huge amount about the power of cold, its benefits and (of course) its hazards. So, as I walked down to yoga, all those lessons came flooding back:

1) Take short steps, so we can control our centre of gravity when we slip on the ice.

2) Keep our hands, and forearms, linked behind our back, keeping them warm against our body. Hint: when our forearms freeze, our hands stop working and then we’re in real trouble. So, keep them warm!

3) Our perception of the cold can change instantly and we can use this to feel warm again. I made a video about it. Take a look.

But, afterwards when I got home, I realised something far deeper.

At this time of year, people can feel a pressure to transform themselves. To come bursting out of the Christmas holidays and change everything about themselves. It can put people under a strange pressure. The freezing weather has other plans though…

The icy roads, and paths, literally force us to slow down and re-consider what we’re doing.

The freezing air temperature pushes us towards the warmth - pushes us towards hibernating.

The dark mornings, and evenings, give us time to pause and reflect. And to rest more (if we allow ourselves).

The cold is changing us.

Of course, all of this will pass.

Eventually, the light (and heat) will return and I will be glad to see them.

But, for now, with the cold weather dominating our lives, it’s time to surrender to it for a while.

Time to slow down.

Time to reflect.

Time to nourish ourselves.

Time to enjoy it. ❄️