Start with a walk and take a deep breath
This week I felt particularly indecisive and overwhelmed, struggling to get back into the groove of work after spending two weeks abroad and some time off. So I went out for a walk and sat with myself, in stillness, observing the great work of nature, taking in the subtle changes that are happening, growing and evolving constantly, and listening to the sounds of my inner self. I realised that I haven’t had a moment like this for quite some time, neither an extended yoga session nor meditation that has become my daily rituals of self-care and mindfulness. I’m grateful for those reset moments to reflect on what’s going on and what matters most. How easily distraction and work get in the way when all you need is a walk or a cup of tea in a calm, motionless moment. After some deep breaths, I felt lighter, as if the heaviness of things had been lifted off my shoulders to move on. At home, I made a cup of tea, started writing my next blog post, and set up a reminder on my phone for exactly those moments of pause and reset.
Waldeinsamkeit, a german term from the words woods (Wald) and solitude (Einsamkeit). The feeling of being alone in the woods, and at one with nature.
“I will slow down. I will not rush. I will be present and mindful of what I’m doing in each moment. I will create gaps in between my tasks and not jam in too many things into each day. I will do at least one thing with complete presence.” -The Broad Place
On your next rumble outside, keep an eye out for sticks with some personality, craggy knots or a funny bend to take home and turn into beautiful, sustainable pieces of art.
Here are some of the personal rituals I come back to connect to myself.
Yoga, whether it’s a long, yummy stretch at home or a guided flow sequence, always leaves me feeling relaxed and in harmony with my body afterward. I’ve been doing yoga for years, but every time I get down on the mat, something inside me loosens up and relaxes even before I start my practise, a mindful moment of surrender. The interplay of body, mind, and soul in each asana (pose), pranayama (breathing), and meditation exercise helps me shift my focus and find balance and piece for the rest of my day.
Nature, spending time outside to connect to the roots, and smelling the freshness after the rain, or enjoying the warmth of the sun’s rays touching my skin. Whether it’s a walk in the forest or feeling the coarse sand beneath your feet at the beach, or simply doing some gardening, any interaction with nature is so powerful and important for our mental and phusical health as it can immediately changes the dynamic of our emotions and awakens our curiosity, creativity and sense of adventure.
Natural remedies such as essential oils smell great and have a positive impact on our well-being. I create my own blend with only a few favourite fragrances according to my moods and use a candle diffuser or add them to my body oil. Here is a calming recipe from a close friend and aromatherapist, on how to make your own magnesium foot spray for better sleep and if you are feeling unsettled and restless.
Take time for things that nourish your body and soul.
Have a cup of tea with a friend, someone who knows you inside and out, who listens and understands without judging or interrupting. There’s really nothing more valuable than a trusting friendship based on reciprocity. My soul mate lives in a different country and we both juggle work and family, which leaves only little pockets of time to take care of each other and our friendship, so we leave voice messages to stay connected and involved in the life of the other. Ocassionally, we send handwritten letters and include little things such as a bag of a new favourite tea or a lavender twig or dried flower petals to bring joy into each other’s day.
Setting intentions for my day and writing down what I’m grateful for is a powerful tool to allow me to move forward, change direction, and adjust to my needs and values. It is a great way to set achievements no matter how small they or big they are.
Breathwork, nothing brings us more into the present moment than our breath. It is the most reliable constant in our life, it’s always there without us having to do anything. So why not take a moment each day to appreciate this miraculous phenomenon and fill your lungs and belly with some deep breaths? I like to put my right hand gently on my belly and my left hand onto my chest to feel where the air travels to and back. Simply noticing those tiny movements and becoming aware of the breath can make you feel present and calm.
Discover your inner child and let the joy of playfulness take over with or without the kids. You can climb a tree, collect some sticks and paint them to make a nature wall hanging or just dip your toes into the cold water of a well.
Creating with your hands, focusing on the sensation and experience of sewing, darning or embroidering is a wonderful way to step out of our fast paced days. Taking the time to learn something new and delve into a new project can help build confidence to create unique and very personal art.
I enjoy taking time to plan the content and gather some inspiration to share with you here and in my newsletters. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with you. Hear about latest offers, workshop updates and get an insight into my brand story with personal experiences and ideas around slow living, gentle parenting, and mindfulness.
Any creative process connects us to ourselves in the present moment, it’s an expression of what we see and experience and how we perceive the world around us.
