This is a bonus edition of SGNR on a Wednesday, because … New Years. But don’t worry, I’ll be back on Sunday, January 5 with another regularly-scheduled post. Wishing you a very happy 2025 filled with much love, joy, and … patience.
Through circumstances and schedule, I ended up in a restorative yoga class on Monday night.
I almost exclusively practice (hot) vinyasa yoga. The heated room, the constant flow, the challenging poses—I love everything about it. It gets me out of my head, forcing me to be present in my body and in the moment. It is pure bliss.
But this was not that type of yoga.
When I joined the instructor said (as opposed to vinyasa) … “you know this is just a lot of lying around, right?” 🙄
The room was cold. There were no sun salutations or down dogs. It was me, my mat, two bolsters, three blankets, three blocks, one strap … and my thoughts.
I was not moving. I was freezing. And I was cranky.
Then—as we moved into the last position—the instructor started talking about how our body has patterns that feel comfortable to us. This new position may feel off, she said, so as we settle into our new pose, we should …
“Practice patience.”
And those two words changed everything.
If we’re being honest, patience has never been my strong suit. It certainly wasn’t where my head was at—but it’s exactly what I needed in that moment.
In that class, I needed patience. And as we head into another new year, I suspect all of us could benefit from practicing a little more patience.
We all have patterns that feel comfortable to us. It doesn’t make them good (or bad), right (or wrong), just … familiar.
Patterns in our work. Patterns in our relationships. Patterns in our life.
Maybe they serve us well, and maybe it wouldn’t hurt to explore another position every now and again. See something from a different perspective.
Or simply be more patient when a person, job, or experience is not what we expect or are naturally comfortable with.
So in 2025, my wish for you is that you can practice patience—with your colleagues, with your loved ones, and most of all, with yourself.
Turns out that yoga class was exactly what I needed, after all.
Bonus Reads! You’re bound to get a few things wrong this year … that’s called being human. Give yourself—and each other—some grace.
