The Bear Spirit

During the winter, I find shelter to take care of myself or to bring my cubs to life. It is a time of nesting during which I sleep a lot and give my body time to heal and regenerate for the coming season. I’m not afraid to miss out on what is happening outside of my cave as there is already plenty happening within me, and I know that this break will allow me to appreciate life even more once I recharge my energy.

If you have picked me, it might be a good time to press pause—even for just a day—and to get some rest to recharge your batteries.

You might think you constantly have to be doing something and find it hard to stay still. Maybe it is playing on your guilt because there are things or projects begging for attention. Perhaps it is difficult to stay still because you fear overthinking. Maybe pressing pause is triggering your fear of missing out. But the thing is, when you are slowing down, you are actually giving yourself a space where your subconscious and the part of you that knows can speak to you.

Okay, here’s the thing: If you’re struggling with guilt, consider letting go of self-judgment so you can truly enjoy moments of peace. If you tend to overthink, physical activity could be your form of meditation, as it requires your full mental focus (and if sports aren’t your thing, perhaps painting or baking could offer a similar benefit). And finally, if you’re worried about missing out on life, remember you can’t enjoy it for long if you burn yourself out.

While I enjoy my family and appreciate being able to share moments with others, I also like spending time on my own. Solitude gives me an opportunity to be present to my environment and to integrate my experiences. It helps me reconnect with my own energy and my truth.

Here’s a grammatically correct, more fluent, and gently refined version of your paragraph — preserving your tone and intent while enhancing clarity and flow:

Reconnecting with yourself can feel uncomfortable, especially when your inner critic and self-doubt grow too loud. If this resonates with you, consider writing down your doubts or the sources of your discomfort. These reflections can become a personal roadmap for growth, guiding you toward the positive change you wish to see in your life.

Perhaps you dislike being alone because you’ve come to define your worth through service to others. Or maybe you fear the emptiness solitude can reveal — or the emotions, like sadness or anger, that might rise when you’re left with yourself. Acknowledging these fears is the first step toward gently transforming them.

Revel in the opportunities you have to be present to yourself without getting distracted by the needs of others. Do not fear being alone and use this time to nurture your relationship with yourself.

My body and size are powerful. I can become aggressive when my cubs are in danger or when I need to defend myself. But at my core, I am not a violent being, yet, I don’t always remember the power of my roar, the size of my paws, the strength of muscles, or the impact of my presence.

If you picked me, maybe it is time for you to acknowledge the extent of your power.

You might not see it, because you define power as the heavy-handed control some people exert over others. It is one type of power, but there are many others. There are the values that power your days and actions. There is your capacity to make things happen, to support someone, to influence positively a person or a crowd without imposing.

True power lies in who you are daily and how you impact your life and people around you, just like me, sometimes by your mere presence. And, like me, sometimes it will be the teddy bear power that shines out of you and other times it might be the dedicated hunter, or the fierce mum protecting her cub.

Take a moment to recognise your own power. If you’re not sure where to start, try listing the character traits you like about yourself and some of your flaws (they too can have a powerful impact on others). Consider what you think people appreciate about you, then ask friends and colleagues to name one or two of your “superpowers.” In return, offer them your perspective on their own superpowers. You’ll likely discover strengths you never even realised you possessed.