from within. We’ll take baby steps, and my hope is to inspire you to dive into your own research along the way. I am but a mere guide on this path—one of many—and my role is simply to inspire a sense of agency within you. You can do this. You are more than capable, and you are reading these words for a reason.

Be sure of this: you are strong enough to face your own inner shadows and those unsavory bits we often hide away. When we work with awareness, it is likely you will begin to notice things you’ve never seen—or perhaps things you’ve refused to acknowledge in the past. The world as you know it will begin to take on a new sense of clarity. At first, this may feel overwhelming, but eventually, it will become your grounded reality.

With awareness comes inquiry, and with inquiry comes direction. Let me help guide you through the process of perceiving the world in a different light. So, grab a warm, cozy beverage, a heavy blanket, and your journal, because we are going on an adventure.

The Science of the Pause: Rewriting the Subconscious Script

To understand the power of the pause, we first have to look at how we process the world. It begins with a stimulus—something that hits your senses. Your brain takes that raw data and renders it in a way that makes sense to your mind. As meaning and action build within you, they create a flood of emotions. That flood then triggers a reaction: a learned, traumatic, or impromptu response. This cycle is what forms habits and carves neural pathways in our brains—paths that only grow stronger the more we travel them.

To interrupt this cycle, we must hone in on the third part of the process: the story your mind tells you about the stimulus. Whether that story is 'good' or 'bad,' you have the power to change what you tell yourself. You can rewrite your story from the root, but to do so, you must target the narrative itself.

Your subconscious mind has a tendency to tell you stories—and sometimes lies—to keep you safe. That is its job. This can feel overwhelming, and at times, impossible to defy, but this is where mindfulness and self-check-ins become critical to your growth. Intrusive thoughts and behaviors can feel like a tornado blowing through, leaving a mess that makes you question your worth or feel small. But those storms are no match for a little focused awareness.

When you feel yourself getting worked up or emotional about a situation, you can take note, stop for a moment, and choose to redirect your energy. You can work through that emotional charge by asking questions that bring clarity to the surface. (I went into detail about rewiring your conditioning in last month's post if you need a refresher!)

In this space of Conscious Hibernation, we are focusing on the big picture. To rewrite your story, you must first identify what that story actually is. Then, you must decide to look at it from a different angle—viewing it through the mature lens of hindsight. This process can be slow. You might not even know what the story is yet, but when you begin removing labels like 'victim' or whatever unsavory theme you’ve carried, clarity begins to break through the haze.

Our minds are infatuated with safety and the need to be 'correct' for our survival, regardless of the actual truth. But this very hypervigilance can be repurposed; you can use that same alertness to identify the parts of yourself you no longer wish to associate with.

Another way to handle overwhelming thoughts is to treat them like clouds floating across the sky—moving in and out of your reality. This practice is a cornerstone of mindfulness. It requires you to remain neutral as these thoughts run their course. This act of allowing is a powerful Feminine energy. It allows the Masculine energy within you to finally rest from the constant need to 'fix' everything.

This invites a deeper sense of relaxation into your life and provides a visualization you can return to whenever you are in a safe space. By observing thoughts as they come and go, you gain an edge in rewriting your old narratives. You realize that thoughts and emotions aren't permanent fixtures; they are messengers, meant to pass through and deliver their wisdom before moving on.

The Sacred Mirror: Facing the Shadow

In this space, we aren’t afraid of our shadows. We’ve encountered them many times here on the blog, and for good reason. Shadow work is often one of the most controversial aspects of the self because most people spend their entire lives running from their darkness. For a long time, society even encouraged us to do so.

But the time has come to look at our shadows and learn to heal, adapt, and grow from what they have to teach us. The shadow self isn’t a part of us to be feared; it is a guide toward full self-acceptance. From that place of acceptance comes an improved quality of life and a lifelong friendship with yourself—an inner bond that is unshakable from the outside and fiercely loyal to your cause.

The shadow allows you to acknowledge the "unsavory" parts of yourself—the pieces society deems unworthy or distasteful. It can reveal your true desires, even when they go against the status quo. If ignored for too long, this portion of the self will eventually cause upsets and dysfunction in your everyday life. It is vital to hold space for the shadow and give it room to breathe. It holds the keys and clues to our deepest reactions, emotions, and habits. (If you want to dive deeper, you can read my full post on the shadow self here.)

Lessons from the Den: When Rest is Forced

The type of introspection I hope this month saves you from is forced introspection from the Universe.

This is exactly where I am right now. I have been forced to rest. Every time I think I’m ready to pick up the pace, I am reminded to sit back down and do as I’m told—which, for now, is creating this content for you and handling only what is time-sensitive. I have been forced into this position, but I am choosing to stay here to truly understand Feminine energy. I am learning how to tap into that energy to release "survival mode" and finally learn to thrive.

In hindsight, if I had been giving myself the rest I needed and showing up with more compassion, I likely wouldn’t be in this situation. My previous choices relied solely on Masculine energy—pushing through discomfort with the intention of "giving myself a fighting chance."

I hope you can learn from my journey to check in with yourself and understand your body’s needs on a moment-to-moment basis.

I needed this. I needed to be knocked down and forced to rest because I was so used to burning out and being sidelined for even longer. This experience is showing me how I operate and how I can better empower my Divine Feminine while allowing my Masculine to rest. This "sludge" was necessary to bring you this content today. Even though my rest was forced, I know it will soften me, allowing me to move forward with the energy I actually choose to present to the world.

The Ink of Introspection: Developing Your Practice

Now for my favorite part of this message: journaling! It’s no secret that I love to write. When I journal, I like to turn it into a ritual—using specific pens, documenting the date, and noting the time. While you don’t need to be that specific, I do recommend one thing: try to use the same journal consistently.

By keeping your entries in one place, you create a physical record of your journey. You can look back at past entries to find patterns, similarities, and shifts in your perspective. Using the same notebook also trains your brain; eventually, the moment you open that specific journal, your mind knows it’s time to "dump" thoughts, emotions, and inquiries with less and less resistance.

The act of physically writing allows your brain to let go of the mental clutter, giving you the distance needed to see your life from an outside perspective.

The Winter Prompts

There is no right or wrong way to journal, as long as you are willing to be vulnerable with the paper. You can write these as a story, a list, or a simple question-and-answer session. Here are the inquiries for your descent this week:

The Main Prompt: “What is being pruned from my life right now, and what is being protected beneath the frost?” This addresses the need to let go of what no longer serves you to make room for what you truly desire. Winter is a time for storing up potential. When spring arrives and conditions become optimal, you will be ready to grow toward your goals.

• Tip: Try dividing your page into two columns. On one side, write what you are releasing. On the other, write what that release is preparing you to grow into.

The Second Prompt: "What did I ignore during my month of Free-Will that is demanding my attention now?" We often get so busy in the "doing" that we neglect the "allowing." Revisit this prompt as often as you need. You are an ever-evolving creature, and as the "sludge" clears, new answers may surface. Remember, there must be an equal give-and-take between rest and action.

The Creative Prompt: “What kind of person do you get to become as you strive for internal peace and balance?” This is a "story" prompt. It’s your chance to visualize how you would change in an ideal world. It’s almost like pretending to be the Creator of your own life. Developing specificity in our desires shows the world—and ourselves—that we are committed to this new identity, despite any difficulties or setbacks.

The Power of the Refresher

The beauty of these prompts is that they aren't "one and done." You can come back to them again and again until the lesson is integrated. Use this time in the Den to develop the specificity of your desires. It shows the Universe that you aren't just drifting—you are committed to your evolution.

The Ceremony of the Prune

While pruning requires you to cut away what no longer serves, it is ultimately a deep process of allowing and letting go. Think of it as a ceremony your soul holds to release what will not benefit you in the long term. This is a sacred time—a season to remain receptive to the cues and hints your body drops to show you what it truly needs. Remember: losing what you once had creates the space for something more aligned to fill that void.

Don’t be afraid of what the darkness might reveal to you; simply know that it is what you are meant to witness in this moment of time. You cannot run from yourself, so you might as well embrace yourself.

The Prompt

What is being pruned from your life right now, and what is being protected beneath the frost? Let me know in the comments—I’m excited to read where you’re putting in the work this winter!

Until our next Mindful Adventure, my dear friends.

My goal is simply to be a vessel, sharing the lessons and insights from my own path in the hopes that they may serve as a guide on your own. If this message found you at just the right time and resonated with you, I consider our connection a profound success. Whether our paths cross just this once or intertwine beautifully, know that I am here as a comrade and a friend on this journey.

I truly hope you feel seen, supported, and hopeful as you continue on your way. You are welcome to share your thoughts in the comments below or reach out directly to me. If you feel called to support this work and its mission, you can find the donation page linked in the site's footer. I look forward to connecting with you on this magnificent adventure.

With Love and Fire,

Jamelah Luckett

Link to Companion YouTube Video