Part 6 (and the end) of a series...
Alright, it's a lot. When we think about all the things we need to do it can feel like we are juggling chainsaws and someone just keeps throwing one more in.
So we want to break it down into small manageable chunks.
Before we break this down, I actually want to rephrase something. And I want you to ask yourself if there is a component in YOUR life that you WANT to improve, expand, or challenge yourself with. Moving with more ease, connecting more, nourishing yourself with more intention, having a different outlook? What speaks to you?
If you can honestly say to yourself, nope, don't have the space for it. Then great, trust yourself, stop here, and know that when you do have that space I'll be here to cheer you on. There are enough people on the internet telling you to JUST DO IT - I won't be one more.
Great, you're still here. This isn't going to be a checklist. There is a season where we all just want someone to tell us exactly what to do. If that would be more helpful for you, leave a comment and I'll get in touch. But for now, take a deep breath and read the following:
MOVEMENT * NOURISH *
* CONNECTION * OUTLOOK
Which ONE word really spoke to you, when you read the word you thought, 'there, that's what I WANT'. NOT what I should do, but really you got a little excited to try.
Great, now bookmark this page because we're just getting started. But you're going to want to scroll down to that category that rang your bell.
In this section, I'm keeping this super duper easy, with just 2 key steps for each category. Once you get comfortable with those, I would encourage you go to back to the original posts and see what you can add to next. Like I said, this is a work in progress, I'm sure I'll figure out a better way to convey all this info.
MOVEMENT
Step 1: Have fun with movement. Just do one thing that is fun with movement each day. I love to dance around like a crazy person. That's just me, but right now, pick 7 different things you think might be FUN to do each day to move your body.
Step 2: Notice that flame in your core area. Try to say hello to it each day, keep up the fun movement but be a little more intentional this week, noticing how your flame moves with you while you do this movement. Just try connecting and enjoying the idea of noticing how your body feels in motion.
CONNECTION
Step 1: Try to make a connection each day. Text a friend a smiley face. Write a letter to someone you miss (you don't have to send it). Call someone on the phone *gasp*. Play a game with your kiddos
Step 2: Look at the connections you made over the last week, what connections did you really enjoy most? Schedule it! Make it happen regularly, in a realistic way, but in this busy life, we know that it is so easy to let these things go.
OUTLOOK
Step 1: We're going to focus on the unwind part of this. Find a time each day to unwind. Before the kids get home from school? After dinner before you clean up the kitchen? When will really help you? Experiment with the time of day, also if you are still in a menstruating time of your life, the time of your cycle may dictate when and how much unwinding you need. The real trick with this unwind, is that it can't involve scrolling. I am going to be a little bossy here, a minimum of 10 minutes, must start with 2 minutes of going outside, or at least looking out a window to help calm your central nervous system.
Step 2: I literally just saw this on Pinterest before I sat down to write this but make a daily glimmer list (that's just a fun word) it's the opposite of a trigger list, it's things that just make you smile. Tiny things, start looking for them each day, a leaf in the shape of a heart, a cute Facebook memory, the more you look for the good the more you'll find.
NOURISH
Step 1: Look at your day, is there a space where you are going longer than 5 hours without eating? Does this happen regularly? Plan a snack, something easy that you can grab and go. Set an alarm on your phone for that time, for me it's about 3 pm, that slump between lunch and dinner.
Step 2: During your meal planning this week, where can you add a bean? Where can you add a green? Like a fun Dr. Suess book, just add a serving of beans and greens this week. I love adding black beans to a lunch quesadilla and an arugula spinach salad to a pasta meal.
Ok, that's it. Just do that forever and ever and you'll live to 100. No not really, but it's a good place to start with some super easy things that hopefully just become part of your new normal culture of honoring you and what you need to survive these crazy days!
