Welcome to the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice.
I know. The world is a bit of a mess right now. The news is bleak, life is chaotic, and let’s be real: “seasonal reflection” might feel as pointless as rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
But here’s the thing: reflection isn’t about pretending everything’s fine. It’s about pausing in the middle of the mess, acknowledging the chaos, and deciding what’s worth carrying forward - and what’s getting left behind.
The Solstice is my favorite time to do exactly that. It’s not about perfection or fixing everything overnight. It’s about honoring where you’ve been, imagining where you’re going, and lighting a little spark to guide you through.
So, if you’re ready to embrace the mess (and maybe even learn from it), here’s a simple ritual to help you check in with yourself tonight.
Your Winter Solstice Ritual: Honor the Mess, Find the Light
Step 1: Find Your Quiet Moment
Lock yourself in the bathroom if you have to - sometimes it’s the only sanctuary left.
Step 2: Ask Yourself These 3 Questions
- What’s not working for me?
- Maybe it’s a habit, a belief, a pile of clutter, or that one thing you keep doing even though it drives you bananas.
- What have I learned from the hard parts of this year?
- Here’s the deal: even dumpster fires come with lessons. Anger, pain, and disappointment highlight what you truly care about. What truths have surfaced for you?
- What do I want to invite into my life?
- This isn’t about New Year’s resolutions or “new year, new me” energy. It’s about planting seeds for what you actually want to grow.
Step 3: Light Two Candles
This is the part where you lean all the way into symbolism.
- Candle 1: Light this for the lessons of the dark. Yes, even the messy, uncomfortable stuff deserves a little recognition.
- Candle 2: Light this for the promise of the light. Because no matter how rough things feel, we’re still moving forward.
Sit with your candles for a moment. Let the glow remind you that even in the longest night, the light is always on its way back.
You Don’t Have to Fix Everything Tonight
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about fixing your entire life in one night. You don’t have to wake up tomorrow with a perfect plan or all the answers.
But if you can take a moment to honor where you’ve been, acknowledge what you’ve learned, and imagine where you want to go, that’s enough.
It’s messy, yes. But life is messy—and the Solstice reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there’s always light to be found.
What’s Your Spark?
If you try this ritual, I’d love to hear what comes up for you. Drop a comment or send me a message:
- What’s one thing you’re letting go of?
- What’s one thing you’re learning?
- What’s one thing you’re inviting in?
We’re in this dumpster together.
Wishing you peace, warmth, and a little spark to guide your way,
Amy
