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We are well on our way to the darkest time of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere. I mean that literally, with nights growing longer and precious daylight dwindling, but the darkness creeps in in other ways too. Reminders of loneliness. Hard anniversaries. Overcommitting to social engagements when everything in you is begging for rest. 

“The Wood

When you were born, your enthusiasm was a red flame atop a mountain of fuel. As you age, the fuel burns low. No one warns you. Yet, with intention, you can learn to feed that warming fire long after the fuel you were born with is ash on the wind. Be kind to yourself. Learn this. 

They way cut all the wood you think you will need for the night, then double it. Cut it during the daylight when fuel seems irrelevant. Dead limbs hanging low, sun-dried, hungry for fire. The night can be longer than we expect. The wind can be colder than we predict. The dark beneath the trees is absolute. Gather the fuel. Double it.” 

-Jarod K. Anderson, from Field Guide to the Haunted Forest

I’m sure you could interpret this beautiful writing in a multitude of ways, but to me it feels deeply connected to the energy of the seasons right here and right now. The holiday season lies ahead, glittering with celebrations and get-togethers, dreams of handmade gifts and decorations, and all the intoxicating nostalgia of holidays long past. It’s so very easy to set your enthusiasm ablaze, only to burn down to embers at the height of the Holidays. 

This is my reminder to you to pace yourself, and in this case the fuel is rest and self-care. Take a look at your schedule now, when fuel seems irrelevant, and set aside evenings just to sit quietly, or days off to spend snuggled in bed. Prioritize these grounding times and do not let the runaway flames of holiday expectations burn through your need to take care of yourself. Gather the fuel. Make time for yourself. 

Think of other ways to build up your stockpile for the days ahead so that you can enjoy the revelry while staying grounded. If gift giving is a big part of your holiday traditions, start making or shopping for your gifts right now, before the rush and pressure. Tuck them away so that later you can spend a peaceful candlelit evening wrapping gifts or writing cards, rather than desperately rushing around a shopping mall. If decorations feel overwhelming, set a time and recruit some help to cross that off your list. And if any of this feels like too much, it’s time to simplify. The best gift you can give to those you love is your presence, re-charged, grounded, and ready to be there. 

This is also a good time to establish routines that will carry you through the darker days of winter. If you can, find a way to get outside every day and soak in a few of those precious sunrays. Make this time non-negotiable; if someone wants to connect with you during it, tell them they’d better bundle up and join you in the crisp winter air. Listen to your body and remember what has helped you light the way through the dark woods in the past, whether it’s yoga or vitamin D or singing in the shower. 

Remember that it is perfectly natural to move a little slower or rest a little longer during the dark days of winter. What makes you think you are so very different from the other mammals all snug in their dens, or the trees slumbering peacefully on cold winter nights? You deserve that softness too. Rest is necessary fuel for all of us. 

And finally, remember that it’s okay to not feel sparklingly bright all the time. Holidays can be triggering in so many ways, whether it is your first Christmas without a loved one by your side, or the pressure to be “perfect” for your family. You are doing your best, you are worthy of rest, you are resilient and capable, and you know what you need to do. Gather the fuel. Double it. 

Candy Cap Log Crepe Cake: 

This stunning cake is a delight of flavors and textures. It has a rich, strong maple flavor with a slight kick of alcohol swirled through a silky ganache, layered between tender gluten-free crepe-like cakes. It’s all the woodsy, earthy, warmth you’d want from a log cake, without tasting even a little bit like firewood. It’s definitely a project - perfect for a peaceful day in the kitchen with few other expectations. If you’re someone who bakes for pleasure or comfort, you’ll love this. Just remember to give yourself plenty of time and space to create it so you don’t burn yourself out… the same activity can turn from replenishing to deplenishing so quickly when you add time pressure. You’ll make the candy cap mushroom infused ganache first so it has time to cool and thicken slightly while you prepare the cakes. 

Find the rest of this post and the Secret Recipe over on Patreon.com/thewondersmith!

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