“The best way out is always through.”
-Robert Frost
December has arrived, ushering in visions of hot cocoa, Hallmark movies, and heartwarming festivities. Those moments will come, but they’ll likely be accompanied by challenging family dynamics, financial stress, and the aching absence of those we wish were here to celebrate with us.
It’s the most complicated time of the year.
I must admit, I’m not feeling especially festive. Normally, I’m the type to put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving and listen to Christmas music until December 26th. But about six weeks ago, life took an unexpected turn, and I’m just now starting to feel like myself again.
It’s been a slow, painful process, but my nervous system is beginning to regulate. Insomnia has given way to restful, satisfying sleep. My appetite has returned—just in time for Christmas cookies. My mind is growing quieter, and I feel my heart lifting in small, subtle moments.
If six weeks sounds like a long time to be in full-blown survival mode—24/7 fight or flight—it was. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t. I needed that time to process, to sit with despair, disbelief, anger, and sorrow, fully feeling and digesting my emotions before I could release them.
It’s a delicate dance, knowing when to feel and when to heal. It often feels like taking one step forward and four steps back. But I’ve come to see it not as forward or backward, but circular—expanding outward with each pass, slowly gaining insight and perspective.
Feel, release. Feel, release. Feel, release. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
When my life turned upside down, I was three days into a 17-day family vacation in Florida. As I struggled to cope, I found myself drawn to the water—specifically, a massive wave pool near our resort.
Catching the Wave
I heard the wave before I saw it.
As I approached the enormous pool for the first time, a horn blared and the water erupted into chaos. Swimmers screamed as an enormous wave rose up and washed over them, pulling them beneath the surface like they were never even there.
When I finally entered the water, I felt nervous and excited. I lingered near the shore for a while. The waves were smaller there, gently rushing past my knees. Eventually, I worked up the courage to wade deeper, where the water reached my chest. But when the wave came again, I hesitated, panicking as a wall of water surged toward me. It smashed into me, sending me tumbling back towards shore.
Humbled but determined, I swam out past the crowd to where only a few strong swimmers waited. My feet no longer touched the bottom. When the horn sounded, I faced the wave head-on, letting it lift me effortlessly and release me back down. It was exhilarating
With each wave, I grew more relaxed, floating on my back in the warm sunshine, waiting for the horn’s call. When it came, I welcomed the wave, riding it over and over.
I surrendered to the wave. It came. It passed. And I remained, floating in the cool blue water, bathed in the Florida sun.
Stormy Seas & A Somewhat Skillful Sailor
I won’t pretend that I’m riding the ups and downs of my life so gracefully, but I can feel myself becoming more adept with each passing swell.
For a while I felt like I might drown in the emotional surf. Each wave slammed into me with enough force to knock me off my metaphorical feet, tossing me like a ragdoll until I emerged gasping for air, scraped and battered by a rocky bottom.
Now, when I sense an oncoming wave, I try not to panic—easier said than done. I know it might wreak havoc, leaving me drained or unsettled. But I do my best to surrender. I let the wave lift me, carry me as high as it needs to, and then I try to let it go. Because, like all waves, it will pass—and I will remain. Regaining my footing and, if i’m lucky, standing a little steadier than before.
Women's Yoga for Emotional Release | YOGA FOR EMOTIONAL PAIN | Brett Larkin
The past month and a half has been an emotional rollercoaster, and at times, I’ve struggled to cope. On an especially difficult afternoon, I loaded this class and practiced along with Brett’s unique and cathartic sequence.
It felt so good. I didn’t step off my mat feeling completely calm, but I noticed the start of a release that continued into the evening. By bedtime, I felt a deep sense of relief and was ready to rest peacefully.
I highly recommend this class to anyone navigating life’s ups and downs. It’s a useful tool for finding a little more ease amid the chaos.
Yoga Nidra for Calm and Peace | Ally Boothroyd
53 Minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly
I have been practicing this Nidra all week and loving it. It’s quickly becoming one of my all time favorite’s. It’s that good.
What I love about it is the simplicity. Ally has created a beautifully straightforward script that she delivers with expert subtlety. I just love it and I think you will too.
10 Minute Morning Yoga Full Body Stretch | Yoga With Bird
9 Minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly
I devote the majority of my morning practice to Yoga Nidra, but I always like to get a little movement in before I settle into my nest. Lately, i’ve been turning to Bird’s library of quick morning yoga classes more and more often.
They are the perfect bridge between bed and Nidra for me. This particular class has been my go-to all week, and I’m so excited to share it with you!
That’s all for this week. I hope you enjoyed a return to “normalcy” and I look forward to hearing from you in the comments.
Have a great week!
Amazing synchronicity: I've been thinking a lot about waves (forms that are temporary but that are not separate from their greater reality, the ocean) and water — how it never resists whatever is in its way but finds a way through or around, or gradually wears down its obstacles. And how water offers a path through what seem like dark and worrisome times. I am glad you are finding your ability to negotiate the waves that come at you, Jenny.
Thank you once again for sharing your experience of recent life flow. Over the past few months, I too have the feeling that a rip tide took me down but now am emerging with strength from going through it that will serve me well in what's to come. I Consider that the entire cosmos is an ocean, and that all life lives within this sea. This body of water is made up of vibrations, tides of energy that ebb and flow in natural cycles the same way the ocean does. As with all tides in life we ebb and flow, our energy, our spirituality even our personality ebbs and flows. It is important to acknowledge in life that there will always be changes, ups and downs, ins and outs, but to remember that their will always be an upcoming tide ready to bring you back to your true self. Each and every day, we show up to life, we give our gifts, our passions that drive us to be who/how we need to be. This is a lovely rendition of BREATH that supports us, that connects us to all of life, others and ourselves. In peace and light, Namaste