If you are feeling STUCK, read this

I’ve been wintering… hard.  Moving slow, resting more, staying in, and letting myself be held by the quiet of the season.  

It’s all part of nature’s grand design — this season of deep replenishment. Winter asks us to soften and turn inward.

And yet… there’s been a shift.

Longer days, warmer air, and small glimpses of spring emerging!

In Ayurveda, February through May is considered late winter and spring — the kapha months of the year. This is the season of earth and water. The qualities are heavy, cool, damp, slow, cloudy, sticky, and stable.

You may already be feeling this in your body and mind.

Imbalances can show up as loss of appetite, sinus congestion, seasonal allergies, lethargy, or a general sense of dullness.

I can deeply relate to the lethargy.

Even writing this newsletter has felt hard. I kept waiting for a wave of inspiration to arrive.

Waiting…

But what I know — both personally and through Ayurveda — is that sometimes inspiration follows action. Not the other way around.

March has always been the most mentally challenging month for me. The slow melt of winter mirrors something in my own mood. My energy dips, and I don’t quite feel like myself.

When I first learned about Ayurveda, something softened. I realized this wasn’t a personal flaw. It was nature moving through me.

And the medicine for this season?  Movement.

Movement is what helps unstick what feels sticky.  It lightens heaviness and clears stagnation — physically and mentally.

Our lymphatic system, which supports our immune system, relies on movement to circulate. Unlike the heart, it has no built-in pump. When we move, lymph moves. When lymph moves, waste clears.

Kapha season is actually one of the few times of year when we can gently push ourselves a bit more physically. It’s a supportive time for brisk walks, light jogging, interval training, or anything that builds heat and circulation.

And mentally, movement shifts chemistry. It supports dopamine release — that sense of brightness and pleasure that can feel so far away in March.

The key isn’t intensity…it’s consistency! 

Five minutes of movement is more supportive than none. A short walk counts. A few sun salutations count. Dancing in your kitchen counts.

If motivation feels hard, consider inviting in support — an accountability partner, a group class, something that gently commits you.

The hardest part is often simply beginning.  That first step is what breaks the spell of stagnation.

Spring is not about forcing.  It’s about allowing the thaw.

So if you’re feeling slow, sticky, or heavy — you’re not behind.  You’re in rhythm.

And maybe your next small act of devotion to this season is simply to move. 

With love & luminosity,

Shannon 

P.S. A heartfelt shout out to Ms. Jean, my favorite crossing guard and loyal reader, who’s been patiently asking, “Where’s my spring inspiration?” Thank you for keeping me moving.  This one’s for you.  🌷