The ice is sliding off of the top of sloped roofs here in the city. And as they move so slowly throughout the day, I can almost hear it release water as it creates this deep clap when it breaks along the cement. The sun shined so bright for what felt like a good hour, and I tried to make a pit-stop to a restaurant for a kale salad and French fries, and was met with a line at noon that surprised me. I found myself asking where did all the people come from? Only to remember what I wrote about in last night’s letter, they’re finding their own rest.
If I’m being witchy (and you know I always am) I’d say there’s no better day other than the winter solstice (the shortest day of the year) to be reminded of rest. As Latham Thomas wrote about winter,
“The thing about winter is that on the surface it’s dormant, but it’s not—it’s dynamic. Under the surface it’s dark and fertile and constantly unfolding while all on the surface is still. This is a potent time to anchor into your rest. Sleep more, dream more, breaks out your dream journal and use this fertile winter time to vision the map for your future. Visioning is deep work. Things are unfolding in the darkness, always.”
I’m so grateful for the way my body has carried me this year, and the ability to hold workshops, write, create, fight for what I believe in, stay mostly put and run a small business during a crisis. And I’m even more grateful for the way the kids and I have managed, and how I’ll look back at all the things we’ve learned together and how we grew together. But like I wrote in yesterday’s letter, The next two weeks will be slow for me. And I hope they are for you. When looking forward to the next year, in some way, I hope to structure it the same. I don’t know anything for certain, but I do know that what we leave behind needs us as much as what lies ahead. For that, I observe comfort and rest.”
In the meantime, here are 10 posts to keep you company as you embark on a rest of your own:
What To Wear When:
A basic tee has a ton of potential, just ask Lydia
5 Style Components in 5 minutes
May I Suggest:
Words Until We Meet Again:
A deep and heartfelt thank you for being here this year. Thank you for allowing me this important relationship with you to write, create, and think far beyond my own walls. To run a business without large-scale interruptions, and the opportunity to hire photographers, contributors and editors of all walks to share the space alongside me. Honestly, you all gave me a reason to show up everyday. And I hope the posts were able to do that for you too.
Next year, this space turns 10 years old (WOW!). If you’d like to keep up in other long-form writing ways, a lot of it is finding its way in my bi-weekly newsletter.
If there are other posts you love on here from this year, please go back and comment and let me know. And I’ll keep a note for the editorial calendar for 2021.
Be well and take good care. I can’t wait to catch up on January 5th.
~L
(Photograph by Makeda Sandford for LaTonya Yvette)
I love all of this. Thank you for the reminder that wherever we are…upstate like me or down, we truly are going through so many of the same things together.
Rest well.
Cheers to rest, this blog, and health and much happiness for 2021!!!!
Thank you!!1
Dear LaTonya, you captivated me immediately with the title! I read this breath-inviting essay when you first published it and am happy to report back that I followed your suggestion 🙂 The multiple naps and the “reading hour” that extended into three felt purposeful, even a touch triumphant, as I reminded myself of this wise Latham Thomas quote.
Tomorrow begins a new work year for me – working 9+ hours a day for my day job, creating at night for my cat parenting blog. To my own surprise, I am ready for it. In fact, I am tingling with excitement to begin the experimentation, play, and enjoyable struggle of the creative process. I have deep rest to thank 🙂
May your 2021 be filled with love, laughter, and incredible adventures!
p.s. Congratulations on the 10 year anniversary of this space you’ve created with much heart and soul, LaTonya!