Hi, my friends. The space between seasons — between what has happened and what is to come — has always been a strange, yet potent time for me. It can feel uncomfortable. But take heart because these transitional moments are some of the most optimal times for gratitude and self-reflection. In this spirit, I’d be honored to share with you a bit of my own reflections.

A Deepening Devotion to Self

The biggest, most profound lesson that I’ve learned and integrated (and will continue to integrate) is a deepening devotion to the truest parts of myself and the vision I have for my life. I leaned into this lesson not for external validation but because I’ve felt a steady, unshakeable desire to show up for myself more honestly. It’s been a season of internal refinement and boundary setting. I’m not sure I could have gotten here any sooner. Age and experience have taught me that you simply cannot rush through certain lessons and sometimes your biggest challenges lie before and within you, completely unseen – until one day you do see it. Your whole constitution must be ready to receive what is being offered.

The Myth of Giving to Be Worthy

A lot of us tend to look outside ourselves to feel whole. I used to do that more than I was willing to admit. I unconsciously thought that if only I could give more of myself – be the mountain of acceptance and support that anyone needed – then I would be worthy of receiving the same – worthy of people truly showing up for me. But that’s not really how life works. Over time, I’ve come to see myself more clearly than I ever have. I expect this sharpness of understanding to only get better with time.

In doing the brave thing and looking at myself more honestly, I was surprised to find that I was no longer looking at myself with harsh judgement, but with a perspective rooted in grace, unconditional love, and understanding. And my God, have I waited years for this! More and more each day I am becoming my own best friend, my own greatest confidant. It’s a blessing so precious that I’m not even sure I have the words to fully express my gratitude.

Choosing Wholeness Over “Good Enough”

Some of us never reach this milestone. I think we’ve all heard a story or two of someone in their 80s or 90s, nearing the end of their life, filled with regret for all the ways they could have slowed down and been softer and more honest with themselves and the people around them. I’m not pointing this out to position myself as especially evolved – I’m sharing this because you are in some way part of my community, and this feels like one of the most humane things I can share.

We never have to settle for “good enough.” There are people in this world who can – and genuinely want to – see you for all that you were born to be and share. These folks wholly embrace your natural talents and gifts as well as your capacity for depth and feeling. There are people in this world who feel honored to have the opportunity to show up for you when you need it most. We are so much more than the roles we take on, often with good intentions, within society and in our personal lives for the sake of feeling like we belong or to keep others comfortable. Remembering this has encouraged me to choose my ultimate wholeness over and over again no matter what life tosses in my direction. It’s an invitation I hope you’ll extend to yourself, in your own perfect time.

A Morning Routine That Changed Everything

And because I’m well aware that one’s personal evolution often does not come without getting clear on the practical routines that help get us there, I’m sharing with you a layout of my current morning routine. It has MASSIVELY improved my quality of life and stability of spirit. Sometimes I do everything on this list and sometimes I pair things down depending on what my intuition (and time) is requiring of me. My hope is that this can help you generate and refine a routine of your own that helps support you on a daily basis. So far, my routine looks like this:

• Pray / set intentions
• Brief meditation (10 minutes)
• Drink water and tea
• Intentional movement (yoga / stretching)
• Journal if it feels important and I have the time
• Get dressed and ready for work in a slow, intentional fashion
• Take an hour-long walk (or more) then hop on a train for work (more intentional movement and clearing of the mind happens here)

By the time I get to work I feel like I’ve shown up for myself in such a satisfying way that I don’t mind showing up for others and I have the extra grounding and patience to do so. My routine doesn’t just nourish one area of my life – it fortifies my body, mind, and soul. All are areas I value.

Journal Prompts

What do your morning and evening routines consist of? Do you ever think about refining them? Why and how? How do you think refining your routines will affect the way your days flow and feel? What stories do you tell yourself that keep you from implementing a routine? What’s one small way you can show up for yourself on a daily basis?

About Crystal

Crystal is a Nuurvana Guiding Light specializing in tarot, hypnosis, and gentle somatic release. Her work is grounding, compassionate, and deeply restorative.

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