Closing the Year With the Body in Mind
There’s something about the final New Moon of the year that feels especially tender.
While this moment isn’t nature’s true new beginning — that belongs to spring, when the earth softens and growth returns — it is a recognized new year for many. And with that recognition comes a lot. Reflection. Expectation. Momentum. Pressure to make sense of the year before the calendar turns.
It’s also a busy time. A loud time. And for many, a quietly lonely or emotionally heavy one.
So before we talk about intentions or release, I want to honor that. If this season feels complicated for you — joyful and draining, hopeful and exhausting, connected and isolating — you’re not doing it wrong. You’re responding honestly to a time that asks a lot from the nervous system and the heart.
The New Moon offers a pause within all of that and an invitation to listen.
By the end of the year, reflection often lives in the mind. We replay moments, measure progress, and quietly grade ourselves. But the body has its own year-end review, and it doesn’t come in bullet points.
The body remembers:
• The moments you pushed through when rest was needed
• The stress you carried in your shoulders “just until things slowed down”
• The emotions that never quite made it to the surface
• The resilience it took just to keep showing up
And unlike the mind, the body isn’t interested in wrapping things up neatly. It wants honesty more than resolution.
What the Body Might Be Holding Right Now
As the year closes, it’s common to notice:
• A deep tiredness that feels emotional as much as physical
• Aches that appear without a clear reason
• A desire to withdraw, cocoon, or cancel plans without explanation
• Or, unexpectedly, a quiet sense of pride that arrives when you least expect it
None of this needs to be fixed. And none of it means you’re behind.
(Despite what the productivity gremlins might be whispering.)
A New Moon Invitation (No Perfection Required)
New Moons are often associated with intention-setting, but I like to think of this one as permission-giving.
Permission to:
• Let your body set the pace
• Release what it’s been carrying without ceremony or performance
• Acknowledge how much you’ve survived, adapted, and softened this year
If you’d like a simple practice, try this:
Sit somewhere comfortable. Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly. Take a few slow breaths. Then quietly ask, “What does my body need to release before this year ends?”
You don’t need an immediate answer. You don’t need a clear answer. Even “I don’t know” is a valid response. The body appreciates being asked more than being rushed.
Gentle Ways to Close the Year Somatically
You don’t need a dramatic reset before January arrives. The body responds far better to sincerity than grand gestures.
A few gentle ways to honor this transition:
• A slow stretch before bed
• A warm bath or shower with intention
• One honest journal sentence about what you’re proud of
• Scheduling bodywork, energy work, or true rest
• Laughing at how tired you are instead of judging it
(Yes — laughter counts. It’s one of the nervous system’s favorite tools.)
Carrying This Forward
As this New Moon settles in, remember: you are not late. You are not behind. You are not failing at healing, rest, or growth.
You are human.
And your body has carried you through every version of this year.
May this New Moon help you close the year with gentleness instead of pressure, presence instead of urgency, and trust instead of expectation.
You don’t need to become someone new. You’re allowed to arrive exactly as you are.
Disclaimer: The information shared on Musings, Medicine, & Magic is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any new wellness practice or making changes to your health routine.
