In 24 days, I can exhale...

There are times to cocoon and this is one of them for me. What is cocooning? To be clear, this isn't a codified practice by some great guru — this is my way of giving language to what I do, have observed, and what I teach. Cocooning is a turning inward from the extrinsic to the intrinsic. It's turning from outward doing to inward doing. It's a time of letting some things go, putting a pause on things, and acceptance of some things falling into the Untended file for a while. Cocooning isn't like the yoga philosophy ofpratyahara, though it's like it.Pratyaharais turning the senses inward. It's moving towards an internal gaze and shutting the senses off one at a time. For me,pratyaharais like going into an energetic bubble that surrounds the body by about 12' — the biofield, if you will. If the body were a blanket, it's like going under it with the flashlight of the awareness and observing what's there for a while. Cocooning isn't about observation. It's about release of distractions, and even responsibilities, in your world for a while. And there will be consequences to cocooning. People might feel ignored, invitations will be turned down, projects will be put on hold, and emails/phone calls/texts will be left on read. Cocooning is about prioritizing. It's about saying, 'I don't have capacity for everything.' It's saying, 'if everything is a priority, then nothing is a priority.' It's about remembering that you'renot an emergency room doctorand people, projects, and initiatives will be okay for a while without you. And those that aren't? They are compost for next season's flowers. Cocooning is making yourself, your mental health, your time, your priorities the most important thing. When is the time to cocoon? In general, it's time to cocoon after a loss or in the edges within a transition. An 'edge' from the permaculture lens in nature settings isthe boundary or transition zone where two different ecological systems, habitats, or landscape elements meet. These transition zones tend to be more productive and biodiverse than the areas on either side. They combine resources and conditions from both systems, creating something innovative and unique. More edge offers more yield. We permaculture designers will increase the edge using wavy or spiral shapes instead of straight lines to maximize the productivity in this boundary space. Theedge, in practical, real life application, is where different ideas, disciplines, or communities intersect that often spark the most innovation. And this brings me back to transitions. Transitions are an edge. Sometimes they're large, sometimes they're abrupt and harrowing. But there's always a point of beginning or ending within the transition itself. It's at the acute meeting points where the cocooning needs to happen. You might understand this moment that looks like, 'DON'T SAY ANYTHING—I NEED TO THINK.' What I'm doing while in the cocoon: practice more active styles of yoga to give my brain and body something to co-create together that's reliable and predictable working in silence working with my favorite music really loud saying 'no' to things a lot pushing back meetings and deadlines by one month that don't help soften the edge reaching out to fellow 'designers' to work the edges with me remembering my non-negotiables: protecting my peace, rest day-maxxing, loving on my family, hydration and nutrition doing the essential work with maximum efficacy In the cocoon, my focus is clear, which allows me to do what's the most important work and to do it well. It's kind of like 'measure twice, cut once.' Precision matters now, otherwise I'll have to endure another transition that might be more challenging than the one I'm in. Better to be grounded and precise now (measure twice) so that I may execute with excellence (cut once). I know a lot of people in transitions right now that are trying to barrel through them. Others are hibernating. Now is not the time either. Don't confuse hibernation with cocooning. A cocoon period is a developmental stage where transformation is happening, while hibernation is a deep sleep used for survival. Inquiry: is now a time for survival or for growth? No, the answer isn't both. If it was for you, take 3 generous breaths with the exhale extended. Bring your awareness to your heart center. Ask the question again, and listen. Then take the next logical step. Learn the art ofstillness in challengewith me withAdvanced Yin Conceptsover two weekends in November 2026. Join me on retreat in theArctic Circlein the late autumn winter transition (Nov. 20-27, 2027) for this practice in practical application.There are only 8 remaining spots for this retreat. No additions will be made.Curious, but concerned about airfare? I've got you. Get flights in January to pay less than $800 to Stockholm from anywhere in the US (except, maybe, Hawaii). Need to sit in the belly of the best place on earth for discernment? Join me in the Sacred Valley, Peru next summer. Dates will likely be June 12-19, 2027. Email me to waitlist.