Things take the time they take. I love and hate that but it’s true. I recently had to demand time for myself. To separate from the heaviness of life and allow for some absence and maybe, some lightness to develop. And then, decide what that might mean.

Some things cannot and should not be rushed.

But everyone seems to think time can move however they want. That 24 hours can heal a wound or repair what’s broken. One day can merely shed light on something but it’s barely enough time to catch your breath from a stressful, draining situation. So I’m taking some time and doing things that I know will be slow.

Starting a new career will be slow. Building a new wardrobe will be slow. Finding friendship again will be slow. And making pinecone syrup will be slow.

The scale of time that nature operates on is one that I cherish and need more of in my life.

Long, slow and without pressure to be done faster. Things happens when they happen. Trees push their buds out day by day and slowly, the city becomes greener.

I loathe the quick pace and ‘requires immediate attention’ of the modern world. I cannot operate this way and I will not.

I can only move at my pace.

Somethings only become clear when you give them time to settle and then, if it is right, to bloom.

This month I’m going to be like the syrup I just started making. I’m going to let myself sit and settle and melt into myself.

The syrup is starting as rough brown sugar with young red and Austrian pine cones packed in. They are still green and have some water in them which, overtime will be drawn out and melt with the sugar. I have no idea what it will taste like and it will take at least a month before it’s ready! And for only a few ounces of pine syrup :)

I might need the same amount of time to mentally and emotionally get right - so I’m happy to track the progress of my cones and sugar along side my overall wellbeing as the days go by.