I believe you’ll agree that this year has brought struggle, challenge and isolation for many.
The heaviness of 2020 has become part of the landscape that we are managing and learning to navigate, in spite of it. I have seen this year as an opportunity to reignite my connection with myself and my personal growth. In doing so, I have learned amazing new truths about myself, questioned my old paradigms and identified what really matters to me.
Using the following five steps, I got to know myself on a deeper, soul level and allowed myself to accept my own wisdom, every day. My connection to this wisdom has guided me to align with the truth of who I am and find true fulfillment.
Here are 5 ways to find your center and heal in the midst of chaos:
1. Self-Care. Take time to do something that nourishes your soul…Every Day! For me, I have renewed my love of taking a ritual bath. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, you can just throw some Epsom salts in the tub and jump in. It is best if the kids and the cat stay outside, along with your phone… unless you put your phone on the sink playing some nice soothing music. Just don’t scroll social media while you are supposed to be relaxing! Explore what self-care means to you. It could be an amazing cup of steaming hot coffee in the quiet hours of the morning, where you can just sit quietly and enjoy a few moments. Even small acts of self-care are critical to your long-term health and wellness – and sanity!
2. Nature. Spending as much time in nature as possible is supportive of your mental health, spiritual connection and often physical health too. One of my clients started hiking. She has travelled to all of the forests and parks within a few hours and explored. Each trip she decided to find something new – a new tree, flower, bird and learn about it. I am aware that some have less access to nature and the seasons impact this as well, so be creative. Get a plant. I have never really had a green thumb – truly, I just am not on top of the water thing. But I decided that I was going to grow a few house plants this year. I have kept three jade plants alive and now I am tackling aloe. If you can’t get out of the house, put on a video of nature, with sound. Running water and birds are great options but select the one that makes you relax into imagining being in nature.
3. Creative Hobby. Our souls are creative by nature and hobbies can be the perfect outlet! I am in a business mastermind and a few of us discovered that we enjoy knitting and crocheting, so we had a virtual fiber party. This was exactly what my soul was yearning for – a creative project and sisterhood. As you explore your hobbies, see what ones feel aligned with the energy you are experiencing. Many of my creative friends and clients say they love doing something like painting, but they aren’t good enough. This is the perfect opportunity to exercise the muscle of non-judgment and do it anyway. This activity is exclusively for you and your expression of creation. You don’t have to show it to anyone – or you can if you want. Some ideas of creative hobbies are: coloring, singing, dancing, gardening, interior decorating, photography, writing, poetry, drawing, calligraphy, origami, cooking and baking. Pick your favorite and explore new aspects of it… or even step into a brand–new idea and see your creativity flourish.
4. Meditation. Sitting in the quiet opens your access to facets of you that were not visible amidst the noise. Busy lives and racing minds are often present in this human experience. If you allow yourself the space to sit quietly with yourself and no expectations, you have the power to unlock access to the wisdom and guidance that cannot be heard with all the busy racing that is our normal state. Admittedly, it is sometimes difficult to relax into the quiet without thinking about the grocery list or the 43 things waiting to be accomplished today. I had to work hard to allow myself grace when these things popped in. Once I got to the point where I could notice them and not give the thoughts more energy, I started to become aware of a connection to a deeper consciousness.
My higher self-began showing up. Sometimes, just being with me was exactly what I needed, and I could feel her loving presence. Other instances, I needed more defined guidance and course correction. Meditation is a practice. These messages and guidance become stronger and louder the more you exercise this muscle. A great option is to use a guided meditation or find a meditation teacher. Open to the possibilities within you!
5. Deepening Discernment. Declutter your space, mind and heart of all that no longer serves you. This process is not an instant gratification experience. Of course, cleaning out the junk closet is rewarding, but the true benefit is taking advantage of manifesting that which does serve you to fill the space formerly occupied by all you have released. The process of identifying the things that serve you well requires discernment. I have developed a process to help me answer if I should be releasing physical things. I muscle test whether this object serves me. If it’s no, I put it in the release box. If the answer is yes, then I decide what I need to do with the object. The real challenge is when something doesn’t serve me, but I think I want to keep it. Then I ask myself if I have used in the last year and if I love it. If so, I keep it – at least for this round. I use a similar process for those things that I am releasing from my mental and emotional space as well.
And if you see Step 4 above, this is the perfect time to explore what needs to be released from your space. One last element that we have to give a little attention to during the discernment process is mindset. Many of us have a very lack driven mindset. Have you ever said to yourself, “I’ll keep that, I may be able to use it someday.”? What you are really saying is “I am afraid get rid of that because I might not be able to afford it again.” So, the important approach is to ask yourself if an item or thought or emotion serves you, not if you should keep it…
These steps cultivate a greater connection with yourself, which is where your healing can begin to blossom. All of the distractions that we all fall prey to in our human existence, merely serves as an obstacle to truly see yourself. When you can look at yourself, through a grounded and centered perspective, you are moving toward the joy and happiness that we all deserve.
