Descansos means to rest, literally. In the practice, descansos are markers of change in one’s life. Perhaps turning points, shedding, transformation, literal and figurative death.
Conducting your own ‘descansos’ is a way to document, honor, and give space to those moments; perhaps there’s grief or celebrations that come up.
The transformation, the shedding or unbecoming is to be acknowledged. Some may be traumatic, disappointments, wrong turns, “lost” opportunities, broken hearts, differing identities, that you have experienced on your journey. You may mark the pieces that you feel like you lost yourself or gained a bit of yourself along the way.
Perhaps there are roads you didn’t take, or successes you feel like should have been yours or “failures” aka redirections you’ve endured.
Take your time with this practice. Some parts may be painful and by showing up, you’re showing how much you care, and are ready to integrate + claim your life.
The Practice
Get creative. Mark these on a poster board, a few sheets of printer paper taped together.
Curate the space with privacy. Light any scents, play any music, wear something comfortable.
Make a timeline of your life. You will mark a symbol on each point from when you were really young up until the present.
Mark places and pieces of your life where you feel a part of you died. You will mark the roads you didn't take, the opportunities you feel you missed-out on, and the successes you believe should have been yours, but the failures you had to endure.
Self Reflection:
Any patterns forming? What patterns do you see?
How have you handles loss in the past? Are you able/desiring a fresh approach now?
Write about the low times, how you are resilient, and how you grew.
We will ritualize together.