When life gets particularly overwhelming, and I feel like I have bitten off more than I can chew, it helps me to remember all the ways that I can resource myself … Here’s my life of reminders – May they inspire you too!
Time away – even just going for a short drive can help clear my mind.
Safe space – my sunroom and my bed currently are my two favorite safe spaces – places I curl up and feel cocooned by soft textures and warm sun.
Alone time at home – staycations really help when too much is going on. Sometimes travel feels like yet another stressor: nothing beats being alone at home when my mind is spinning and cranking things out. Often I have too much “coming in” and not enough time to just let it all metabolize.
Stillness to decompress – it’s not always enough to just be alone, I also keep all media off, my nose out of books and just stare … lie and sit and stare … it’s amazing to watch what arises when I allow my environment to be still and free of stimulation.
Break from responsibility – reminding myself that I don’t have to get it all done, and especially not always alone.
Solitude to recharge – are you hearing a theme yet?
Something “unproductive” – giving myself a break from needing all activities to be useful or productive can be liberating … what about just unproductive play? Value that too.
Permission to not be helpful – I don’t always need to be of service, and I often need to remind myself of this!
Connection to art and nature – doodling in my journal, playing with paint and clay, sitting in the garden, watching the birds.
Empathic conversations – sometimes I just need to vent and have someone express care, validate my reality and express confidence in my ability to get it done!
Now it’s your turn – when you are on overload, what helps you to rest, rejuvenate and reconnect?
Let me know and leave a comment below!
Beautiful list – thank you for sharing.
Meditate
Journal
Paint
Walk in the woods- forest bathing!
Exercise- spin class, yoga
Go to the club and sit in the sauna and/or steam room
Bake
Cook fabulous meal
Thank you for sharing your wisdom Yvette!
Sometimes I like to draw all the curtains, lock the doors, unplug the phones turn off the stereo or tv, put an eye mask on and earplugs in and just feel like nothing is grabbing at my attention. This provides space for me to completely relax my mind inside my body and rejuvenate, distraction free.
Other times, I enjoy sipping herbal tea in my sunroom and watching the birds at the bird feeders while listening to my little fountain. Ahhhh, that’s nice!
Yvette! I needed to read this today. Thank you. I’m usually trying to make the most of every minute, to be as "productive" as possible, but eventually my brain clouds and then its very hard to be productive. I’m trying to find more awareness of when I need this… I love to read fiction books, although I’ve had a hard time finding uplifting fiction.