Steadiness in the Storms of Life
I hope that this email finds you all feeling connected to those who you can be your real selves with….so essential in these dense times!
We are in midst of yet another wild week of this human existence. I am feeling more and more the importance of looking closely at our own systems and what we need to stay balanced and steady in ourselves in midst of some obvious big storms that are brewing on many levels.
To me, the purpose of doing any personal work is to be able to cultivate that sense of steadiness in midst of the swirls, upheavals, unexpected pivots, and the inevitable storms of life.
What do you do to help yourself stay steady when you are facing a storm or unexpected pivot or challenge in life?
Some things that are helping me to stay steady during these times of extreme upheaval are:
Prioritizing rest: Going to bed early, taking short “power naps”, restorative practices such as baths, reading, and gentle stretching.
Carving out time for quiet and solitude: This is essential for me to recharge myself and to feel more resourced in myself so that I can be more resourceful for others.
Time in nature with the trees: Being on the trail in this beautiful place I am blessed to live in gives me access to a deep grounding and rooting in myself that is so needed right now. Even a short jaunt in the trees is helpful.
Getting on the ground: I love rolling around on the ground in stretch sessions at night before bed. Lighting candles, putting on some calming music and allowing my body and energy to drop…feeling held by the Earth and deepening in my embodiment.
Drinking lots of nourishing and calming teas: My favorite (as all of my clients know!) is Tulsi Ashwaganda (and I am also loving Tulsi Cinnamon Rose). I have even been brewing some for my teenager as well and I can really see and feel a difference in his nervous system!
Eating regularly and as well as possible: This is not a moment to be skipping meals and letting my blood sugar and system become compromised. I have been making sure that I'm eating regularly and trying my hardest to focus on whole (not processed) foods… lots of greens, whole grains, clean proteins, fresh fruit, etc.… I just feel better when I eat well. And when I feel better, my vessel for this life keeps me upright.
Exercise: I have been feeling the need for more cardiovascular exercise lately…the need to get my heart rate up and to move my energy in a bigger way. Running, DANCING, hiking… I also am focusing on weight-bearing exercises using weights and resistant bands. I believe that it is important to keep our vessels of these bodies that we are living in strong and resilient.
Meditation (and breath practices): Always my go-to, yet again, feels exceptionally important to gift myself with this practice of anchoring in the present moment first thing in the morning. Of locating myself, getting into my body, and using my breath to help calm my system. Of working with my mind so that I don't end up going down the rabbit hole.
Writing! Morning pages/free writing is so crucial to keeping our channels clear and open. While I understand that it is not easy to create the time and space to free write and/or do morning pages every day, I do know that making it a priority, especially on those days when I feel bunchy or anxious, is extremely helpful in keeping my energy and creativity moving.
Limiting my social media and media usage: I believe that we all need to pace our input and be mindful about what we take in. I do believe that it's important to stay informed and awake and not completely disconnected, but being consumed by it will not serve anything or anyone.
Clear boundaries and communication: This is not time for muddied waters in our communications and relationships, yet, rather to hold steady in our truth and what feels in alignment and what does not and responding accordingly.
That's my short list of what is helping to keep me steady in these times. I hope something in there inspires you to dive into your own ways of accessing that muscle of steadiness from within and referring to it often.
I invite you to inquire in yourself around this topic and get creative with how you are meeting yourself. Sometimes things will work at one juncture and then it doesn't at the next. This is why it's so critical that we create a toolbox of options that we can draw on in different moments of our lives.
Here would be a wonderful opportunity to start a fresh list of those practices that helped to anchor you, of different tools that you have access to build and sustain your inner connection and inner resource.
As always, I am out here for any support and/or connection. I am grateful to be on this journey of life with you and sincerely hope to cross paths in person in the days and months ahead.
Take good care of yourselves and be kind to each other.