How To Break Up With Hustle Culture By Tuning Into The Moon
Photo by Jenn Austin Driver Photography.
Is it just me or has the whole concept of time lost meaning at various moments during the past year? I’ve started calling it “Covid Time”. For so many of us, days (and weeks and months) have blurred into one another. Our routines and schedules －the benchmarks we use to measure and track time in our wacky productivity-obsessed world - have been interrupted too many times to count. Boundaries between work and home have broken down and the expectation to “hustle” and “pivot” has become overwhelming.
For me, the past year has simultaneously been the longest, slowest, fastest, most hectic year of my life. (If that sounds messy, it’s because it is.) The stress and “pandemic fatigue” we’ve been living with have literally changed the way we experience time. There’s even a name for it - temporal disintegration - and it is about as bleak as it sounds.
Continuing like this is not healthy or sustainable. I know I’m not the only one who is ready for change. I’ve been craving a new relationship with time; a relationship that is not defined by productivity and “hustle”. So, I started searching for a way to experience time that was more sustainable and intentional. That search led me back to an old friend: the moon.
Living In Synch With The Moon Can Bring New Balance To Your Life.
The moon is in a constant state of change. She (the moon has long been considered a feminine celestial body and definitely feels that way to me) is always in motion but never moving forward. The moon never hustles. She grows in size and intensity, climaxes and then turns back in on herself until the cycle begins again. It’s almost as if the moon knows that in order to shine brightly without burning out there has to be a period of rest.
We could all learn a lot from the moon, don’t you think? In fact, the more I learn about the moon and her rhythms, the more I wonder…
What if instead of maintaining the status quo we redefined our relationship with time? What would happen if rest, processing, dreaming, planning, and doing were all equally important and present in our lives?
I believe we would have more energy and creativity. Our periods of productivity and action would be fuelled by a body, mind and spirit that has been filled up and well cared for. We would know ourselves - and each other - so much better. There would be more time for play and that elusive “work-life balance” we hear so much about would manifest. I am all in for ditching “Covid Time” for Moon Time.
Photo by Jenn Austin Driver Photography.
4 Little Rituals For Tapping Into The Moon’s Phases And Energy.
During one full lunar cycle (called a lunation), the moon moves through eight distinct phases. Each phase has a name and, in astrological circles, corresponds to a specific energy. To keep things simple, the eight phases can be grouped into the following four categories: new, waxing, full and waning. By taking small, simple steps towards aligning the way you use your time to be in tune with the phases of the moon, you can reimagine how time flows and create an incredibly nourishing and sustainable rhythm in your life.
Tapping Into The New Moon
“Sometimes when you’re in a dark place you think you’ve been buried, but actually you’ve been planted.” - Christine Cain
The New Moon is the beginning (and the end) of the moon’s cycle. During this time the moon appears dark to us here on Earth. The New Moon is all about you, babe! It’s the perfect time for self-care, rest, and setting intentions.
Tap into the New Moon by journaling, creating vision boards, meditating and practicing slow living. These simple rituals build rest and replenishment into your month and allow you to gather energy for your next steps.
Tapping Into The Waxing Moon
“Where thoughts go, energy goes.” - Unknown
The Waxing Moon describes the three phases (waxing crescent, first quarter and waxing gibbous moon) during which the moon grows in size and brilliance. The energy is rising and it’s time to take action! The waxing phases are a time for confirming your intentions, making a plan, and taking steps to put the plan into action.
Tap into that Waxing Moon energy by creating actionable To-Do Lists, doing your research, connecting with people (work those networks!) and caring for yourself in ways that boost your energy and focus. Set yourself up for success with rituals that light you up! (See what I did there?)
Tapping Into The Full Moon
“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” - Buddha
The Full Moon is probably the best known lunar phase. When the moon hangs full and bright in the sky there is a real “get it done” energy in the air. Everything that is usually hidden in the night is visible and exposed. This is the right time for a final push to complete a project or to reach a goal. It is also a time to acknowledge what you have accomplished so far (celebrate!) and to put a pin in things that either didn’t work out or need to be pushed to the future.
Tap into the Full Moon’s energy by calling yourself out on any procrastination and getting those last items ticked off the list. Your motto during this phase is “Yes I can!” Celebrate your wins with a fancy treat and write in a gratitude journal. Making an intentional effort to acknowledge the work you have done before moving on is absolutely key to living sustainably.
Tapping Into The Waning Moon
“It is also a victory to know when to retreat.” - Erno Paasilinna
The Waning Moon describes the three phases (waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent moon) when the moon begins to turn back in on itself and becomes smaller and darker. After the climax of the Full Moon, the energy of the Waning Moon is softer. The waning phases are a time for tying up loose ends, showing gratitude, and for taking the time to uncover the lessons available to you from your recent successes and even failures.
Tap into the energy of the Waning Moon by turning your attention inward. Journaling, star gazing, walking in nature and getting grounded again are all appropriate ways to shift focus and move towards a period of more intentional self-care.
The Moon Doesn’t Hustle - She Flows.
The moon values rest and action equally and so should you. No phase in the moon’s monthly cycle is more or less important than the others. Beginning with intentions, building towards action, culminating in a release of energy, and then turning inward to find rest and nourishment again is the Moon’s natural rhythm. Ebbing and flowing, she is always in motion and teaches us the value of rest, creativity, celebration and setting boundaries. It is an endlessly sustainable cycle - one that is very attractive to me!
Am I living my life totally in synch with the Moon and her phases? Nope. But, I am incorporating these lessons into my flow much more often.
As we are slowly moving towards *fingers crossed* the end of #CovidLife, it is the New Moon I am connecting with most. There is something about that hopeful “blank page” energy that has my attention. In time I hope to build up to intentionally checking in with myself during each of the Moon’s phases but for now, finding little moments of connection and ritual are helping me live more in the present and to find value in rest and the pause between tasks. I feel my relationship with time changing and I am loving it.
Next time the moon catches your eye, take a minute to appreciate her glow. Take that first little step towards changing your relationship with time and ask yourself what phase are you in? What do you need to continue on sustainably: action or rest?
Jenn (she/her) is a full-time entrepreneur based in Peterborough, ON. She believes that words are magick and has built a career copywriting and creating content for other small business owners to help them weave their brand stories and connect with their audience. When she isn't tapping out words at her desk, Jenn can be found tending gardens, burning candles, or gazing into crystal balls.
Follow her online for inspiration and copywriting tips on Instagram: @aviscopyandcontent