Can you cocoon?

January.

A month often disliked after the gaudiness of December, but it’s one that I have come to love over the past 10 years, or so. I realised that it was the month that gave me permission to retreat, say no to almost everything, to indulge in rest. The only challenge being that of my own mind, my Ego, so easily persuaded, distracted and prone to FOMO.

During what ended up being an exhausting Christmas (looking after poorly people and too much driving!), I lay in bed one early, dark morning fantasising that I would do nothing new in January, that I would take to my bed as soon as my son was asleep, I would put a new project on hold and I would pull the metaphorical duvet over my head until February.

Of course, a few good night’s sleep in my own bed and I felt much better, but I also recognised that the deep longing for retreat had not gone away. Perhaps I didn’t want to take the whole month, but I definitely didn’t want to simply get back on a treadmill of doing. January is presenting me with the deep dark as a way to restore, to revive, to dream and to nestle. How disappointed I would be if I missed this chance.

So, scattered throughout this month in my Google calendar are worthy blocks of time that say ‘Cocoon’ on them. These are not scanty 20 minutes here and there, but a few one hour blocks and an indulgent three hours one Thursday afternoon. I need them.

I know that I will get done what needs to be done, but I also know that when what needs to be done is done, I will find more or add more. So I honour this season in my way.

It might not work exactly the same for you, but can you cocoon this month? Can you have one morning, one hour a week?

The secret to making this feel restorative and nurtuting as opposed to lazy, over-indulgent, weak or all the other things our mind will try to spring on us, is to say to yourself, firmly and compassionately, ‘I am cocooning. I am doing what my body and nervous system long for and crave. This feels good and does me (and those around me) good. The energy behind it is strong, from a person who makes no apologies for taking what they need so that they can give back from a great place. 

Try it out. I’m hopping back into bed. :-)