As 2024 draws to a close, it’s natural to reflect on the past year. What surfaces first in your thoughts? Is it satisfaction over accomplishments, or perhaps a lingering regret for what wasn’t achieved? How many of your New Year’s resolutions have you checked off, and how many goals remain unmet? These introspections are common as we approach year’s end, but this time, I invite you to engage in a different kind of reflection—one that focuses less on your achievements and more on your well-being. Finding balance between rest and hustle is a tricky balance, but I share with you some tips that work for me and my patients.
Sit With Your Body
In the hustle of fulfilling ambitions and managing daily responsibilities, it’s easy to lose connection with our most faithful companion—our body. This year, before you rush to set more goals or judge your past efforts, take a moment to really sit with your body. Dedicate at least 10 minutes to step away from the hustle, quiet your mind, and tune in to how your body feels.
Listen, Rest and Observe
During this time, observe without judgment. You might notice the lingering effects of holiday meals, the fatigue from months of continuous effort, or emotions that haven’t fully been processed. Each of these sensations tells a story—not just of exhaustion or indulgence, but of a year lived fully, with all its complexities and challenges.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on Balance
In TCM, health is all about balance and harmony between Yin (rest, coolness, inward energy) and Yang (activity, warmth, outward energy). The end of the year, especially, calls for nurturing the Yin aspect of our nature, allowing for rest and reflection to balance out the Yang-driven activities that dominate much of our lives. TCM teaches us that true well-being involves attending to both the body and the mind, nourishing each in accordance with its needs.
Giving Yourself Grace
This quiet reflection is an act of grace—a kindness you extend to yourself. It’s an acknowledgment of your body’s hard work and a recognition of your need for rest. As you sit with your body and listen to its needs, you honor its strength and its limitations. This practice isn’t about indulgence; it’s about respect and care for the incredible vessel that carries you through life.
Embrace the Pause, Forget the Hustle
As we bid farewell to another year, let’s redefine what it means to be productive. Productivity isn’t just about moving forward; it’s also about knowing when to pause. Giving yourself the time to rest isn’t an interruption of your progress—it’s an essential part of it. By resting, you recharge your body and your spirit, preparing yourself for the challenges and opportunities of the coming year.
Conclusion
As you reflect on 2024 and prepare for 2025, remember that balance is not something you find, but something you create. Balancing rest and hustle doesn’t mean equal parts of both all the time; it means listening to your body and responding to its needs. As we step into the new year, carry with you the lessons of balance, self-care, and mindfulness from TCM. Thank your body for its service, rest when you need to, and hustle with renewed energy when it’s right. Here’s to a balanced, healthy, and fulfilling 2025—see you all next year!
