Issue #39: EXPECTations
the year of the SNAKE + cycle tracking apps + the good mother myth + expectations in relationships
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I am a woman of seasons.
I burn.
I bloom.
I strike.
I turn to ice;
sometimes I melt away.~ L.E. Bowman
Author of What I Learned From the Trees and The Evolution of a Girl
the year of the SNAKE
As we enter 2025, the Year of the Yin Wood Snake, we are reminded of the cyclical nature of life—of burning, blooming, striking, and melting away. The Snake, a symbol of transformation and renewal, calls us to embrace the shifts and challenges that lie ahead with patience and resilience. Much like the changing seasons within us, this year invites us to shed what no longer serves us, adapt to the unknown, and cultivate a deeper sense of inner strength. The Wood element, associated with growth and flexibility, encourages steady progress and thoughtful evolution, reminding us that true change often unfolds gradually, in its own time. This is an opportunity to declutter—not only our physical spaces but also our emotional landscapes—releasing outdated attachments and creating room for new growth.
The Yin energy of the Wood Snake encourages introspection and a grounded approach to life’s complexities. Just as we experience moments of fiery passion and icy retreat, this year presents opportunities to navigate challenges with grace and strategy. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wood governs the Liver, the organ responsible for the smooth flow of energy and emotions. A healthy Liver supports hormonal balance, emotional regulation, and detoxification, making this a year to prioritize practices like nourishing diets, mindful movement, and stress reduction. Reflecting on past experiences can offer valuable lessons to guide our future path, and practicing forgiveness—both toward ourselves and others—can help release lingering burdens that hold us back. Self-care rituals that honor our inner needs can serve as grounding anchors amid the shifting tides.
This year is one of transformation and resilience, urging us to embrace the dualities within ourselves and the world around us. The Snake’s ability to adapt and thrive in uncertain conditions mirrors our own capacity to face change with courage and purpose. As we navigate the complexities of the year ahead, the invitation is to remain fluid yet firm, to bloom in the face of adversity, and to honor the cycles of growth and stillness. In doing so, we align with the natural rhythm of the Yin Wood Snake, finding strength not only in moving forward but also in letting go. By shedding the old and allowing space for renewal, we can cultivate the clarity, grace, and wisdom needed to thrive in 2025.
To learn more, check out this blog post from The Qi. Here are a few of their tips to get you started:
What to Watch Out For
While the Year of the Snake offers profound opportunities for growth and renewal, it also requires mindfulness to avoid potential pitfalls:
Overthinking and Isolation: The introspective energy of the Snake may lead to overanalyzing situations or withdrawing from others. Be mindful to balance self-reflection with engagement in your community.
Indecision: The Snake’s cautious nature can sometimes cause delays in decision-making. Avoid letting fear of failure hinder progress.
Holding onto the Past: Just as the Snake sheds its skin, it’s important to release old grievances or attachments that no longer serve you.
What to Focus On
Clarity of Purpose: Take time to define your goals and align them with your values. This will help you navigate the year with intention and focus.
Building Resilience: Strengthen your emotional and mental fortitude to adapt to challenges with grace and determination.
Enhancing Your Environment: Create a space that fosters positivity and productivity. Add elements like plants, calming decor, and uplifting scents to improve your surroundings.
next month on the INTERWOVXN podcast
As more women turn to cannabis for wellness or as an alternative to alcohol, we’re bringing back Erin Kelly, founder of Kelly’s Greens, from Season 3. Erin’s mission is to demystify cannabis and empower consumers with the knowledge to use it safely and intentionally. In this episode, she shares the story behind Kelly’s Greens, offers a helpful Cannabis 101, and highlights what to know before buying products. Stay tuned—our next episode drops February 12th! Want to catch up on past epsiodes?
TASTE: 5 Fertility-Friendly Winter Soup Recipes. What does "fertility-friendly," actually mean? It means every ingredient is thoughtfully chosen to pack a nutritional punch, supporting your body during pre-conception and beyond. But make no mistake — these soups are for everyone! Whether you're looking to nourish yourself, your family, or simply enjoy a cozy bowl on a chilly winter night, these recipes deliver. Packed with immune-boosting vitamins, folic acid, and other key nutrients, they’re as delicious as they are nutritious. Here are five hearty, wholesome soups you'll want to make all season long. If you are wanting to support fertility in the coming year, check out this blog post over on the Orchid website or download our Fertile.Health WOVXN Wellness Guide.
SEE: The Good Mother Myth: Unlearning Our Bad Ideas About How to Be a Good Mom. This new release is on our reading list for the month. Confronting her own false expectations that motherhood would bless her with automatic selfless love for her baby, Reddy researched where the myths of motherhood started. “I believed that I could handle any challenge if I worked hard enough, read the right books, consulted the experts and followed their advice,” the excerpt in The Good Mother Myth continues. “This was one of the myths I had absorbed from the mommy blogs and the parenting advice books I consumed alongside my prenatal vitamins and leafy greens throughout my pregnancy: that motherhood was an individual pursuit at which I could excel, in the same way that I had excelled in school, in my chosen profession of academia, in the creation of a picture-perfect life for myself—one in which I believed a child would fit perfectly, by dint of my careful planning and preparation.”
PS…Punch Cards. We saw this after posting the winter creative nights last week and LOVED this “Punch Party” idea. Get friends together for Galentine’s Day to make punch cards to track goals from trying new recipes to reading more books! And look at that giant pop tart!
SMELL: Year of the Snake Candle Gift Set. Celebrate the Lunar New Year with these two exquisite candles from Emme that embody warmth, joy, and elegance. The Ginger Candle, housed in a luxurious gold jar with creamy soy wax and a natural wood wick, fills your space with a grounding yet uplifting aroma—a zesty, spicy blend that creates a welcoming ambiance. Complementing it is the Satsuma Mandarin Candle, presented in a bold red jar with matching red wax. Its bright, juicy citrus scent bursts with energy, offering the perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes, like a refreshing breeze on a warm day. Together, these candles bring a sensory experience that crackles with sophistication and joy, making them a vibrant addition to ring in the new year.
HEAR: Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music Documentary. Saturday Night Live has been a launchpad for some of the most iconic musical performances in television history, and the new documentary dives deep into that rich legacy. Co-directed by Questlove and Oz Rodriguez, the film celebrates unforgettable moments from the show's five-decade run as part of SNL's 50th anniversary festivities. A must-see seven-minute preview features Questlove's captivating insights and infectious passion for music—absolutely worth a watch. If you're ready for the full experience, the documentary is now streaming on Peacock.
TOUCH: Lifting for Longevity. In this short clip from the Dr.Gabrielle Lyon Show, double board-certified orthopedic sports medicine surgeon Dr. Vonda Wright highlights the "critical decade" between ages 35 and 45 as a pivotal period for health and longevity. By this time, individuals typically reach their peak muscle mass and bone density, making it essential to adopt proactive measures to preserve strength and mobility. We wish this had been on our radar 10 year ago! We thought the guidelines for the more intense work were interesting and have us looking at how to lift heavier and incorporate more push-pull exercises. Watch the full episode here.
What is appealing to your senses right now? What are you reading? watching? cooking? wearing? loving? obsessed with? We would love to share some of your picks in future newsletters!
a caution on CYCLE TRACKING apps
Privacy concerns over period tracking apps have surged as platforms like Ovia now require users to disclose their state, raising fears that this data could be used against them in states with restrictive reproductive laws. Social media has been abuzz with discussions about the risks of sharing sensitive health information and the ethical responsibilities of tech companies. Many are urging users to reconsider their engagement with apps that could expose personal data. As a safer alternative, privacy-focused apps like Euki and Drip prioritize user anonymity and do not collect or store identifiable information, offering a more secure way to track reproductive health without compromising privacy.
Read more here.
Interested in tracking your cycle on paper? Here is a basic chart to get you started!
AND we leave you with…
building your RELATIONSHIP EXPECTATIONS list
“Having a relationship expectations list may pave the way for creating a healthy relationship. However, as there can be both reasonable and unreasonable expectations for a relationship, differentiating one from the other can significantly affect the relationship and one's satisfaction with it. Findings suggest that you may be more likely to achieve the relationship you desire by having high but realistic expectations. Conversely, low expectations may affect the type of treatment you are willing to accept….Whether you are looking to establish the groundwork for a future relationship or are reexamining the expectations of your current relationship, having a few parameters in mind may be helpful.” Read the article to learn more.