Hi Friends,
Did you look at your holiday traditions and reflect on them? Today, I want to give you a container to hold the stress that we experience during the holidays. Just like a cup is a container that holds your coffee, and just like a frame holds a picture, just like a flower pot holds the flower... I want to give you a container that is steady enough to hold the holiday stress. It's not a literal container of course and yes, you do have to "do" something to put it in place.
Last week I encouraged you to pause and reflect and today I want to share a practical system that allows you to pull from a source of strength to supply your daily need. It is simply your evening and morning routine; your PM and AM routine.
Do you have something that you do every evening to let go of the day? Do you have something that you do every morning to get ready for the day? I am not talking hours here, like long workouts and long meditations. If that’s your cup of tea, by all means keep doing it. I want to keep things simple for those who are not in the habit yet of a morning and evening routine.
I live in a neighborhood that has a little pond with an island that is covered with some brush and trees. It’s a bird watching place. Every evening all sorts of birds fly in and settle on the tress and bushes with loud chatter. They are mostly white big herons and look quite interesting when they nestle on what looks like a small branch. It looks like a decorated Christmas tree. White dots everywhere :).In the morning, as if woken by an invisible alarm clock, the dots stretch and spread their wings and all fly off together with a great woosh. Nature knows.
What is your place where you land in the evening and settle to calm down and let go of the days burdens? It is so important to be deliberate with that time. There is scientific proof that the thoughts you fall asleep with determine the quality of your night's rest. Is it the to-do list? Is it that stressful thing that happened that has you all wriled up? Is it the movie you just watched? The email you read? Is it your own thoughts going haywire in your mind about things that haven't even happened yet? That would be all very normal. But I am here to help you live a deliberate life, one with intentionality. Here are some questions to ask yourself in order to establish a nightly routine.
What would help me relax?
Is there a tea that would help me to be calm?
An essential oil that I could smell to relax my nervous system?
Do I like reading a book to center myself?
If so, what kind of book?
Do I like to meditate?
If so, a quiet meditation or a guided one?
Do I like a shower or a bath to literally wash off the days stress?
How about a scented candle?
Or a favorite lotion?
Do I like to write in a journal?
Do I like to sit and talk with my partner?
What has worked for you?
What would you like to try? This could all be done in 10 minutes if you say, "I have no time". You do, and you owe it to yourself to take care of you. Try things out and see what feels best. Maybe a combination of some? Now, let's hope you had a good night's rest. How do you usually start your day? Do you jump out of bed and start running? Do you hit the snooze button? I recommend neither of those two options. Be gentle to yourself and yet be determined to start the day in a frame work that helps you stay centered. Be very deliberate about what thoughts you allow first thing in the morning. Your mind will have its way with all the anxiety provoking things that you could focus on. That's why the PM routine plays a big part. Whatever is unresolved will poke its head in the morning and scream: I am awake!
Maybe start with a favorite song set as your alarm
Wash your face with warm water to wake up gently
Use a drop of orange essential oil to feel good Stretch your arms and legs from their night’s rest (I do that in my PJ's before I even go downstairs.)
Have a little wam water with lemon while your tea or coffee is brewing
Listen to your prerecorded affirmations (my clients know what I mean)
Read a chapter in a book
Go for a walk
Write in your journal
Meditate
Shower
Eat a healthy breakfast
What other ideas do you want to add? Again, just try out something and see what fits. Then stick with what you decided on! It takes a while for it to become a routine. And that's the idea. Your routine is the cup that holds the day in whatever shape and form your day unfolds. It’s the container that lets it be rattled and shaken and yet it's there to hold the contents. Especially in stressful times, it is so centering and wholesome to have these routines. They will give you calm and peace while the day might be unsettled and exhausting. Especially during the holidays your day might have more things on your to-do list. That's why it is especially important to have an evening and a morning routine where you KNOW: This is what I do now. It has a certainty and a familiarity that your body and mind will be craving during stressful times.
Here is your weekly affirmation:
I take care of myself by creating an evening and morning routine. Isabelle
If you need help figuring this out, please message me and we can set up a call. Happy Holiday season.
PS: Message me for a free consult to start moving toward a more confident you.
You are loved. Deeply loved. Loved beyond measure.
Until next time,
Isabelle
Call or write for a free life coaching consultation
#732-331-2246
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