How is everyone doing?
This is a stressful, anxiety-inducing time. Uncertainty looms large. + the support network found in our community we would usually turn to – visits, coffee, dinner out – has been largely cut off.
How can we manage?
Personally, + I think this is true of many people, it’s intentionally choosing how we manage our mindset. Even during “regular” life, I need to have a solid practice in place. Now it’s more critical than ever.
So here is what I do, and I hope it’s helpful for you too.
GRATITUDE
I journal five things I’m grateful for first thing in the morning, + last thing before bed. Feeling thankful in the core of you, shifts your mindset almost instantly, + practicing it regularly shifts your mindset pretty completely. This was the first practice I started, + it has had a powerful impact in my life.
MEDITATION
I do a 2 minute prayer to start the day, + a meditation on visualizing the life I want pretty much daily. There are many apps + resources available to suit your needs, but my go-to is www.fragrantheart.com. Meditation is an incredible way to tune into yourself + become very mindful throughout the day. It is a practice that teaches you to quiet the noise around you so you can be centered in the moment.
AFFIRMATIONS
There is power in writing out, +/or saying to yourself, present tense active statements of the person you want to be + the life you want to live. I write out 10 affirmation statements about the life I envision every morning. I record affirmation statements that I listen to throughout the day. Anything from “I am worthy of love.” to “I run 5k with ease + energy” to “I live in a house on the water”. + in reality…all those statements are now true. Here are some suggestions for affirmations as we navigate these days :
- I am safe and secure.
- I am healthy and whole.
- I have enough. We have enough. There is enough.
- I am surrounded and filled with love.
- I am loved.
- I am strong and can get through this with grace and serenity.
- Today I feel joy.
Words have power. Our thoughts have power. Our energy has power. This is an incredible practice to focus your words, thoughts, + energy on what you want your life to feel like, + to not feel stuck in what it is.
YOGA
Moving my body feels amaaaazing. This isn’t something I’ve done regularly in life, but real quick – Yoga With Adriene on Youtube is my go-to. She has playlists for various lengths of time, body or heart need, you can literally browse for what you’re needing in the moment. Taking that little bit of time to move + breathe does wonders for my heart when it needs some extra TLC.
JOY + LAUGHTER
Friends, we need to laugh. We need to feel joy. It. Is. Necessary. I have been regularly and intentionally finding funny videos on Youtube to watch, doing the dishes, after Aaro goes to bed, before doing some work from the comfort of my kitchen table [Listen, the interior designer in me needs to tell you that working at the kitchen table is in no way comfortable. This kitchen chair that I sit at currently is NOT ergonomically correct, + my butt is feeling it. Working at home is a gift, but if you’re not set up with ergonomically supporting furniture, make sure you’re getting up + moving your body, stretching, etc. I mean do that anyways. Sitting all day is terrible.], whenever, wherever I need to laugh, find joy, shift my state of being, I’m doing what I need to to do it.
I’ve been looking up stand up comic routines [Kevin Hart + Trevor Noah have been on heavy rotation]. I’ll find a playlist that matches my mood, turn it up, + sing along. Loudly.
DIFFUSING
Y’all know I can’t go a day without diffusing something lovely. Much like music, I will diffuse a blend of oils to support whatever my emotional needs are. Citrus oils to feel uplifted + bright. Peppermint to feel awakened + energized. Woods for warming + grounding. + a few special oils, like Melissa, Frankincense, + a new blend called Adaptiv for super support. I’ve always diffused Wild Orange + Peppermint in the morning, + right now having a beautiful morning routine is so necessary to start the day off with beautiful energy. I’ve been defusing Adaptiv quite a bit as well, but here some of my favourite diffuser blends that always seem to hit the spot.
Learn more about using essential oils here.
How are you doing in your corner of the universe? If you have practices in place that are helping you find some sanity, calm, joy, please share. I’ll leave you with a couple of quotes that have been coming to mind frequently over the past while. Between distance, isolation, lack of community, fear, it’s easy to feel like we’re alone. But please remember, we’re in this together + we’ll get through it together too. xo
