Yesterday was both the shortest and longest day of the year. It just depends which hemisphere you found yourself in. Both are true at the same time, which is something we tend not to like to be the case.

Because I live in the UK, our day are now getting longer. And officially we are in winter. This is also a good time to prune trees, move plants, and plant new trees in the garden. Now is the time to shape trees, thin out branches, and add structure to gardens. It may appear to be a dreary ‘dead’ time, but much is happening in the soil we can’t see.

The holiday season is often a time of celebration and sadness – the two being true together. It is also the time we often reflect on previous 12 months and think about the next. There will be things we want to ‘prune’, uproot and move, clean up, and plant new. Pruning and uprooting are not signs of mistakes, but rather growth, learning and exploration. But now with a bit of perspective we decide it is not what we want or need. Planting new trees and plants is about intentional growth. Intentionally adding structure or colour to parts of the garden or our lives.

Therefore, perhaps this year ask yourself a few additional questions:

1. What did I learn about myself in the 12 months?
2. Who do I want to be this time next year?
3. Who do I want to be in 5 years?
4. What is one achievable step I can take in the next month to move in this direction?
5. What is one achievable step I can take in the next week to move in this direction?
6. And what is one achievable step I can take in the TODAY to move in this direction?

Asking these questions of yourself and others might lead to interesting conversations and unexpected joy.

Photo by Eco Warrior Princess