What is keeping me anchored in these destabilizing times?
We have crossed the threshold into this long anticipated New Year of the Horse alongside an eclipse and a New Moon (yesterday). I know for many it has felt like A LOT on so many levels.
This week I wanted to share my “short” list of what is helping to keep me anchored and my system soothed during these wild times in hopes that, perhaps, something will inspire you as well.
Long walks...sometimes listening to soothing chants, sometimes in silence without my phone. Sometimes on a trail in the trees and sometimes just walking around the neighborhood...focusing on my breath and letting my mind clear.
Epsom salt candlelight bubble baths.
Creatively cooking in the kitchen using ingredients I already have rather than filling the need for more. (A big life lesson of embracing what we already have and that abundance rather than feeling as though we always need more!)
Baking a healthy treat that nourishes my soul and satisfies my sweet tooth.
Communicating via voice text rather than typing and reading. There's something so much more intimate and connecting when speaking aloud to someone and also hearing someone else's voice and their train of thoughts rather than spending the time and energy sitting and typing. Keeps things personal and HUMAN.
DANCING. I really believe that dance could very well be the cure all for so many human ailments. The dance helps move energy intentionally and purposely. My nervous system, my body, my mind, my spirit and soul all feel held and supported.
Community community community. This past year involved a lot of release, and with that the release of misaligned relationships...and simultaneously brought in that grounded and authentic and life-serving connections. I believe that this piece will deepen even more in this coming year.
Focusing on my core. Literally and figuratively. Doing exercises that strengthen and connect me to those deeper muscles of power and wisdom is so helpful, especially for my midlife/menopausal self. I have been making a conscious effort to really try to move from my core, from my power center. This practice alone helps build that muscle of authenticity, of wisdom, of intuitive living.
I am making even more of an effort to be in connection when I'm out in the world in a positive way. I make sure that I am making eye contact, that I smile at people, that I if I have the opportunity to ask some how their day is going… To allow my heartfelt gestures to have ripple effects on others, which, hopefully, has ripple effects on others and down the line.
Honor my need for rest (and *not* pushing through that need!).
MEDITATION.
Lifting weights and doing other weight-bearing strengthening exercises is helping me to anchor deeply into my body and really feel where I am in space as I navigate life.
Focusing on my hydration… I've really always thought that I drink plenty of water to be hydrated, but now that I'm bringing mindfulness to it, I am recognizing that I likely am dehydrated, which has its own set of consequences to our health. It seems so simple but yet bringing awareness to this has felt so empowering.
WRITING: Free writing without an agenda, simply to process and release what is swirling in me has always been medicine for me, yet has taken on new levels in these times. It feels essential to keep the energy moving and to not allow things to become backlogged in my system.
Sauna: There is something so grounding and embodying about being in the sauna…the heat…sweating…breathing. I am soaking that up in these days.
And then, of course, there are the obvious: breathing deeply into my belly, lengthening out my exhale, big, inhaling and lengthening out my exhale, eating regularly and as well as possible....etc etc.
I am always out here for support and connection, so please do not hesitate to reach out anytime!