17. "Tethered to the Light" - On shadow work, the toxicity of New Years resolutions, and how the Universe cancelled my trip to Vegas

Why is it that as soon as the clock strikes midnight December 31st and January begins, we are suddenly expected to instantly lose the weight, overhaul our lives and become an entirely new person? As I reflected on this, I realized it goes against everything nature in her season of winter is trying to teach us: to move slow and to embrace ourselves.

As I've been weathering my own personal winter and entering a phase of life where I feel unmotivated, tired, down and depressed, I have grappled with many aspects of my shadow self - these parts that are harder to look at and certainly harder to love. Much has come up for me, but without it - I wouldn't have had the words to make this episode.

So if you've ever shamed your way into change or pressured yourself to both set and meet some lofty goals in an unrealistic amount of time or felt the weight of the world telling you that you as you are, are somehow unworthy or unlovable in whatever state you're in, this is for you.

In this episode, I will discuss:

• the toxicity of New Year motivational myths like "new year, new me"
• how to work through difficult phases of life and why we must love ourselves through them
• what our personal winters can teach us if we slow down
• how the Universe pushed me into rest and cancelled my trip to Vegas
• what my first ever absolutely BOTCHED solo trip to Tampa taught me
• how we can actually use the New Year to catalyze positive change
• lessons on how to let ourselves be loved

If you want to stay up to date, be sure to follow me on Instagram @mavmalone and on Substack https://maverickmalone.substack.com/