Why is it that as soon as the clock strikes midnight December 31st and January begins, we are suddenly expected to instantly lose the weight, overhaul our lives and become an entirely new person? As I reflected on this, I realized it goes against everything nature in her season of winter is trying to teach us: to move slow and to embrace ourselves.

As I've been weathering my own personal winter and entering a phase of life where I feel unmotivated, tired, down and depressed, I have grappled with many aspects of my shadow self - these parts that are harder to look at and certainly harder to love. Much has come up for me, but without it - I wouldn't have had the words to make this episode.

So if you've ever shamed your way into change or pressured yourself to both set and meet some lofty goals in an unrealistic amount of time or felt th ...