Today, my house is no longer mine and belongs to a new family to create new memories. I will miss that house, but now I am in a new chapter. My immediate future is unknown but fascinating. I find myself becoming curious in my new environment, and I enjoy making new plans and stamping my ever-loving impression on all my new spaces. I am digesting new experiences as they come up. I may sit with a feeling to discover the path I need to grow. It’s so easy to look at new difficulties with zero hope, but how does it feel to sit in it and learn to be ok? In the beginning of my spiritual awakening, I was always sitting next to the water. I would meditate and be entranced with the offerings of the water and wet earth. The smell, the sound, the water spilling onto the land, and receding as wildlife created ripples. I saw so many fish feed early in the morning. I was home. I finally learned peace and to be content with where I am now.
A meditative walk in nature with my sweet Alex💝
I had to be alone to understand my why and to heal. I had a lot of garbage from my past I lugged around. Thoughts, experiences, life that needed to be sorted. What did I need to get rid of and drop off at the lake? I spoke my truths to rocks and buried them deep to be cleansed by the earth. I knew I was getting better because I felt better. My yoga poses became unhinged. My hips were awakened. I was fluid and thriving in my new environment.
Yoga with Mr. Baby🥰
I remember so vividly how light I became. I wanted to be safe sitting at the water’s edge all the time. I was protected and thriving for the first time in my adult life. First thing in the morning, at 5:20 a.m., I rolled out my mat and began my ritual. My spiritual ritual and all the things that brought me joy. All the things people told me to stay away from cause its “devil” stuff. Well, those people and their opinions weren’t very prevalent in my life because I was able to find my truth through all the haze. I became unscared and unglued. I was freed from chains I was born into. Generational curses, traumas, living my life to please others, depression, alcoholism, it all began to speak to me to guide me away from the pain I didn’t have to stay in. I was my own abusive partner for so long, but I found out how much I loved myself. I thank nature for that. I didn’t heal myself, and I’d like to think I played a part in helping heal nature too.
Well, there is a beautiful painting that reflects my healing process. It brought me to recollect my inner peace and write this blog. I am hanging this in my living room over my fireplace to bring peace in my new chapter. It will serve as a reminder how far I came. It will give me healing vibrations from memory of the water washing me clean. I am still here thriving in the midst of life.
I have been in a whirlwind of life these past few weeks! Whew! Is it over? How are you doing? So, for every good deed, there has been a big fat wrench thrown in last minute. How can one be in control of this twister of shit? Well, I have relinquished control since it’s clear to see I never had any. LOL! I do whatever I can to get me out of my victim mentality and into taking care of what needs to be taken care of and getting back to the grind. I know a good cry session is a very powerful tool, so I won’t hold back on any of that, and I immediately feel 1,000% better. Hmmmm….food for thought.
We are in this whirlwind together. Nourishment is💞❣️
I had to get dental work done last week and my Dr put me on antibiotics. I reluctantly have been taking them and I will be hard at work rebuilding my gut biome right after my last pill. What can appear as “bad” can turn out good. I also have been running myself all over the place when I should be healing and spent all day Saturday tending to me. I even took a nap with no worries of where I have to be next. Listening to myself comes easy when it’s being cozy and lazy. My favorite cold weather activity!
Slowing down and tending to my body’s needs has been my focus this weekend💝
I can feel summer coming to a close. The garden that was once thriving is slowing down. I’m ready to start some fall crops and see my crop well into the fall, maybe even the winter! That would be awesome! I am planning on enjoying the rest of my day continuing my rest fest. My journey has given me so much insight, just being with nature. We are all connected. I got to watch the sun rise, and I did a few sun salutations as the bees buzzed in delight. What a beautiful day ahead of me! I wish you an amazing start!
The tide of troubles is receding. I feel like I’m back in my familiar bubble. What a human experience that this has been, and it’s crazy to believe all of this is in my head. I mean, the facts are the facts, and my experience is basically my reaction to what is. I felt all kinds of things, and all I wanted to do was go back home and find my safety embrace from my husband so I could recharge. I think I tended to my wounds, and now it’s time to get back to my purpose. Not before acknowledging what I learned, though. Let’s get crack-a-lacking!
Practice Patience
I want to start off by saying that I find my patience comes and goes. Somedays I have it and others I don’t. I’m sure deeper delves into my meditations and thought process can unravel some of this, but until then, I will be a bit like Kansas weather, unpredictable. Let’s just say that last week taught me to have patience on a busy life day or lose control. Naturally, I didn’t want to be patient because I had other things to do than to tend to this issue. I mean, what was my option? Pull my hair out and stress about something out of my control? Hell no! I’ll take a side of patience with my peace. Thank you. I guess I can accept change pretty quickly and not feel like I lost. This brings me to my next learning…
Accepting this will be enough to nourish my body❤️
Acceptance
If I could design my life the way I wanted it, I’m about 1,000% sure I’d be dead by now. Yup, me in my teens was pretty reckless. So, there is my point. I don’t believe I have the mind capacity to fully understand that every move I make creates a ripple in the way life happens for all. Even the things we can not see. I have no idea how to protect what I can not see; therefore, I can not be in charge. I accept what is and do my part in making sure we as humans can keep living and loving on earth. I take in so much peace just letting go of control. Brain tingles.
Mantra
This one is very new to me. I mean, I have heard of them and participated in many opportunities to hear people’s daily mantras to themselves. I am in awe of people highly respecting themselves and having these deep, love infested words that I want to steal. I always felt intimidated to size up that mantra. When in yoga, I mind my mat. That means I do not invest time or thoughts in what the person next to me is doing. It’s the teachers cues, me, my mind, body, soul. So, here I am being sized up by wise words. By someone who found who they are. I admire that wisdom. I know that when I start speaking to myself more often in front of the mirror, I cry. I cry because I believe what I am saying, and they are very kind words. I want to represent those words; I hope I do.
Yogi Outro
Everyone knows love lives in the heart. It is felt in the heart the most for me as well as heartbreak. It all makes sense. When I need more love in my heart I like to connect with really red foods. I like to believe it helps and if it doesn’t oh well, I love beets, steak, and raspberries all the same 🙂 Life is crazy and full of surprises. I know Cry Fest 2024 is a continuation and I feel better prepared to weather a storm when I am fully present in myself. I used to carry all of my worries, traumas, fears in my body and buried them deep. I work out my issues as soon as I can. I just don’t want to be back in that headspace. I’m still watching the seeds planted two years ago flourish. This is an amazing life and I’ll take the bad with the good cause there is nothing like living.
I had a great sleep last night and woke up full of energy and light on my feet. That is really odd considering I ate way less than I have, ever in my days. Unless I was sick. I am feeling pretty good today. It’s only 5am but who am I to block this productivity? I guess a fast-mimicking cleanse brings good medicine for me. I only have 2 more days to go. I feel the natural flow of cleansing to be rhythmic as it invades my body, space, and mind. Today I will share the lessons of unpacking my shit.
Lesson #1: Clean, Tidy Spaces
We have been upgrading our carpet and with new changes we have to get into the deep corners that are not touched to clean house. This has been wonderful to get rid of things in our bedroom. I have so much space and do not plan on putting something else in its place. It will just be an empty space now. Beautiful and purposeful. I want my bedroom to be a decompression tank for me and my husband. No piles of junk and extra stuff with no home to share my space with. Everything has a home and if it does not. Do I need it? Stay tuned on our upgrades sometime this summer.
Lesson #2: Light Dinner
I am not one to know what a “light” dinner is before Ayurveda came into my life. It took me even a few years after to fully understand what a light dinner does for me. Even cutting a regular meal in half is considered lighter. I am waking up feeling light and energized even more. I feel my body wringing out from all the processed foods and gunk I have exposed myself to. This is exhilarating to say the least! This is my only body and I have goals to live a long time and hug my family.
Lesson #3: Adequate Sleep
For me, I need to be in bed by 9:30 PM. No exceptions! If I want to wake refreshed and full of purpose, then bedtime is important. I spent many, many nights up at 11pm. Shoot, we used to eat dinner around 8 pm! That is crazy to me now! LOL! Me and my husband agree, going to bed early and waking early is a huge part of who we have become. I love getting older with this man! We sync up as we age. I can suggest a good, solid night routine. What are 3 things you absolutely love to do to care for you? I start with a decompressing bath with candles and an amazing book. The warm ambiance sets the tone. I oil myself up with my herby potions and get me a hot nightcap drink going. I will settle in bed with my journal and/or book in my peaceful space.
Lesson #4: Connecting Mind, Body, Soul
I am a sucker for yoga! It gets my mind off its usual role of survival, and I can connect my mind to my body and breath. Seriously, how often do you consider your breath? Do you notice how fast it can be when you are stressed? It’s not fully expressional and short. Imagine breathing like that all the time. You don’t use it, you lose it. I notice as my loved one’s ages their breath becomes shallower. I practice my full yogic breathing daily. That is a deep loving inhale in three parts: chest, diaphragm, and belly. It is a practice and accepting where we are with it now is love. Love yourself and keep going! Whatever the flavor, being mindful to moving the body daily is key to a healthy mindset.
Lesson #5: Community
There are people just like me, that are curious with change. I am attracting people to me just by being me. I love to engage with people and share stories. There are so many groups I become a part of and I am gifted new friendships. I am always busy but most of my time is spent alone. I am changing this and getting involved daily. If I have extra time, I will volunteer and get my face out in public. I notice a lot of the same faces in my community activities. I love being with people and being around the right people is healing for me.
Yogi Outro:
I am finding my space to be less confusing and more welcoming. I have thinned out my bookshelf even and donated some good reads. I love this season because it forces me to look at things I have neglected. Spring cleaning is epic! Last year, in my garden, I didn’t take the time to properly add nutrients back into the soil. My garden paid for my decision and I had a small harvest because of it. Lesson learned! I am just like my garden. If I take my time before growing season to ensure my body is detoxed and ready for work, then I will be MVP. I will be unstoppable with hitting my goals!
I decided to spoil myself with a sunrise surprise show, medicine wheel meditation, a long walk, peaceful yoga practice, and I hung out with my cool, spiritual friends all afternoon laughing and healing. Today was much needed and I feel so full of love. I was able to tend to my garden and pull weeds. I will honor myself every Sunday, all day. A new ritual to add as a “non-negotiable”, meaning I will do this every Sunday.
A huge part of my Sundays is preparing for the week ahead. I plan on starting a fast-mimicking diet. From what I have read from my Ayurveda group I will be consuming 500 – 700 calories a day. This will ensure optimal cleaning of my body as my cells will be entering autophagy. I got the ok from my Dr, so I made my grocery list to get my healing munchies for the week.
I enjoy moving my body and getting outside to enjoy the sweet melodies of the migrated birds. There are birds that sound like dripping water, and I hear some that sound like a kitten meowing. I love witnessing nature with my senses. I found myself soaking up the songs from the trees this morning before the sun rose. I forget how healing it is to be present outside. Fully aware without anyone but me and outside. It’s very grounding and gets me in the right headspace to start my day.
Yoga is my soul’s heartbeat. I miss it after long pauses. I go through seasons making excuses and not making time for it. I never ever regretted a yoga session. I connect my body, mind, and soul. This is so real to me and if I spend a tiny 5 minutes being intentional with my breathing and movements I am revived! The puppet and the puppet master become one mind. I am aware where my body is today, at this moment along with my mind. It’s like a daily checkup for me.
My garden is my joy. I get back what I put in. I tend to the plants, weed, water, prune, de-bug so I can one day harvest and nourish my body. According to Ayurveda, digestion begins when the seed is planted. I planted beets, spinach, kale, sugar snap peas, radishes, lettuce, and onions. I get excited each day to see how much my babies grew.
I love that I have such a community of strong women. I will always treasure my friendships. That’s a huge part of me getting involved in group activities. I never know who I am going to meet and how they will impact my future. So far, I have been on a roll being at the right place, at the right time, with the right people. Women having each other’s back is the hugest tidal wave of energy so be aware of some crazy exciting movement. Nothing will be the same.
I have been busy making space in my life. I actually organized my stuff in my drawers in my bedroom and got rid of a lot of jewelry and other accessories I’ve been holding onto for so long! It feels good to share items that, at one time in my life, gave me joy. Now, it can bring joy to someone else. It feels good to make this much needed space in my life. I am getting rid of lots of things I couldn’t bear to part with last month. I have unleashed a beast and it’s a beautiful manifestation of my dreams. I wanted something done so I did it. Easier said than done…right?
So much space.
When I list my Dreams they change form
If I can write it down in a list, I find it easier to prioritize my direction. Its Springtime and that means it’s planting season. Not only plants, but my ideas and dreams. What are goals to work on right now? Where is my focus? How can I make my dream a reality? I am pretty pleased with my list of goals and off to a pretty good start thus far. I need to stay focused but balanced. What is work without breaks? I know to be kind to myself and check in with myself during my meditations and mindful walks. Shoot, even mindful eating! LOL!
No matter what I’m eating, I eat in silence, paying attention to the food I’m ingesting. This is an amazing mindful practice.
My spaces have magic
Me and my family have been working hard on weekends getting rocks from my daughter’s house to mine. Rocks are heavy. My body thrives on the work though. I find community with my family, and we are building together. I love spending my time investing in my future. I know the firepit area we are building up is going to be enjoyed for years to come. All the laughs and energy will create the best memories and I smile now in anticipation. I want every space I own to be a sanctuary. A place to be enjoyed and feel safe. That is so important to me!
Our old firepit area is getting a makeover!
Plant babies need space too
I don’t know about you, but I have been needing to split a bunch of my plants and repot them, and put my cacti outside, etc. I got it done! I just doted on myself to myself for the past week! I have been wanting this done forever! I split just one plant into 8! I probably got 22 new plant babies potted and some in water to root. I was going to spend an obscene amount of money on plants (cause it brings me joy) and now I don’t have to! I am waiting to see how they do. I enjoyed spending time one-on-one with each of my plants. I feel we are all connected, and felt a great reminder that humans are not superior to everything. We are intertwined and since I am going to practice more mindfulness with my plants, I hope they will benefit me with their magic of cleaning stale house air. Please bless me, wanìshi (thank you – Lenape).
People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.
-Thich Nhat Hanh
Clear my weekend calendar
Burnout is a thing of the past. I do not aspire to be at every event and own a busy, crazy, insane calendar agenda. I plan on the “no plan” plan. Sounds fun to me! I love not having something pressing that I have to be at on weekends. I can do whatever I want. It usually is the same thing as a weekday, but I can spend a longer time walking in nature. Or I can stop by my daughter’s house and walk with her too. I am counting down to the warmer days so I can paddleboard every weekend and not have a care in the world. Just me and nature, besties forever.
Even nothing is something.
Analyze where space is needed
Have you ever had the biggest brain malfunction of your life and thought that organizing your house would solve it? Well, I can attest that my brain is well and functioning and my house is getting organized. I know what I am facing on Memorial Day weekend going forward until Labor Day weekend. I have to spend time making it flawless. That entails a lot of planning ahead or enjoying the consequences of laziness. I have to create a new space and plan to make sure I stay on top of my game. Failing is learning! I will take the bad but learn. I have to find out failures for myself to fully learn and plan. I can do hard things! Analyze my issues and plan, plan, plan!
Fail to plan, plan to fail.
Yogi Outro
Life is a trip. I never knew easy, everything was hard and unreachable, I felt. I just was existing, blowing in the wind. I had no recollection of a dream. All those dreams I had young. I spent so much time surviving that I forgot the dreams. I forgot a lot. I remember now and I get to walk free sharing love with anyone who needs someone to listen. I refuse to let life make me bitter. I have too much anger surrounding me in everyday life, I want to be a breath of fresh air for myself and others. I want to forget how to blow in the wind and grow my roots in my space. I want to help others build their roots and learn their truths. There’s so much to learn and I cannot wait to share!
I have been busy perfecting my beautiful morning routine. It has become a part of me and a necessity to ensure I am elevated to my best self before my day and all the chaos evade. I start every day focused on me by scraping my tongue, neti pot my sinuses followed by oil, wash, tone, & oil my face while I gua sha my lymph nodes on my face and down my neck. Then I will go on a refreshing early morning walk with my dogs. I enjoy a 20-to-30-minute power yoga session followed by a cold shower and abhyanga massage. I will meditate by 6am and journal afterwards to get my thoughts or new thoughts in order. Bam! I have taken control of my morning routine and I’m set for what life has to throw at me.
Water is beautiful and able to enjoy the elements within its boundaries freely. I have the same fluidity expression and cleansing energies💖
Morning Self-Care
My morning self-care is crucial to me feeling ungunked and refreshed. First things first, I will empty my bladder and number 2 or eliminate. This took a good year to be able to eliminate without eating. I truly am empty until I eat which will be around 11am – 1pm typically. I find being empty helps me focus and feel light without burden. I enjoy feeling this lightness and I control how I absorb heavy foods or ideas. I prefer to take things slow and enjoy most of my morning, empty.
I then brush my teeth and scrape my tongue. I will look at my tongue to view how my digestion is going or how my body is absorbing nutrients. There are many different examples on the internet. I utilize my book, “Body Thrive” by Cate Stillman. Scraping off the ama (poison) from my tongue is ensuring my body is not ingesting the accumulation of trash from my body’s waste. I enjoy being cleansed and degunked. Scrape, scrape!
Next, is my neti pot I have filled with distilled water and sea salt, I follow that with my Banyan nasya oil. This is especially crucial during the sneezy, allergy season of spring. I feel flushed and moisturized inside and out. There are so many benefits from clearing out my sinuses and I feel clear and able to breathe fully.
Lastly, my face will get a good Trader Joe’s microdermabrasion scrub twice a week or I use my homemade eucalyptus lemon facial soap to get my morning clean. I follow that up with my homemade chamomile toner and my homemade lavender, rose, calendula, and linden flower facial oil. I will follow up with my knuckles to gently apply pressure on my facial points to drain my lymph. Ta-da! Time to move my body.
My mouth and sinuses cleaning kit.
Morning Movement
Yes, I want to stay in bed too. I choose to better my health and my mindset every day. I find out how strong I am when I encounter my hesitancy. My compromise to myself is to walk. I even get to bring my best friends, Aiko and Alex. We have the best time walking in the dark and I will have about 5,000 steps before I get home.
I get on my mat as soon as I get my dogs out of their harness. I love to move intuitively with some beautiful Lauryn Hill in the morning and get my heart rate up and my body stretched and warmed up. I enjoy having freedom in my expressions, I chose how my heart pumps and I do what I enjoy. It’s my self-care routine and I include my circulatory system. I enjoy my body and all it has to offer me, it is time to pay it forward.
A beautiful morning walk🤩
Body Care
My body is my temple. I get into my body routine with my soul. I have taken the time to skillfully shed the layers of my armor. I learned to be vulnerable and not feel victim to the world around me. I know how to set my mind to protect me, and I listen to my intuition. I find that me taking the care and attention to my body gives me power to trust myself. I know that I look forward to each day and I look forward to the lesson’s I will learn.
I gently dry brush my skin and I am mindful on where I am in my head and pay attention to my precious limbs. I usually wash my dry brush on Sunday’s with hot water on the bristles soaked in tea tree oil for 5-10 minutes. I then use my oil to rub into my body. Yes, this is still before I shower. LOL! I put on my robe and get ready for my meditation part.
Simple but powerful body care routine👌🏽
Meditation
Oh, the brain power meditation gives me. I can focus and organize my thoughts into priority. I can also figure out issues I am going through. It’s a beautiful practice. I have been using a guided meditation, Hemi-Sync. I absolutely love it and it’s under $10 per month. I will meditate 30 – 60 minutes a day in the morning. I love a good prana nature meditation by the lake as well, but I usually save that for the weekends.
I can still smell this view, the air was crisp welcoming in winters breath. The crows were loud and powerful.
Cold Shower
I do not think I have to reiterate the amazing benefits of a cold shower. I feel so invigorated and awake during my shocking shower time. I started with my leg and arm only going into the water. I do my best to gain control of my breathing. This is total control. It is hard to not go into convulsions and turn blue. I am still investigating all the benefits to me, I love this part of my life when I get to understand what something does for me, personally.
Life is insane and there are so many options and information at our fingertips at every moment of every day. We have all our information for ourselves within ourselves and we have power to keep ourselves healthy or not. No one can define our “why”. We must figure out what we want in life and act on what we want. If you want something bad enough to change, you change, right? I evolved so much and I am so grateful for my life as it is. I hope you manifest a beautiful morning too!
I have been enjoying the new energy I have past 4pm. I used to crash so hard after work that I thought it was just my 40’s. That’s what everyone else says, right? Well, I found a holistic Dr that treats the whole body, mind included. After an hour meeting with my Dr, he ordered labs and I found out I was super-duper low in B12 and Folate. I got a B12 shot, I’ve been taking 2 methyl B Complex vitamins every day for 10 days now and I feel really good! Now that I’m in a better place to function (past 4pm), I’m relearning to reset my body and mind and find what works and what doesn’t. The only way to do that is to stop everything and see what happens.
What I do today impacts my tomorrow.
Meditation:
My focus and mindset begin with my meditation. I stopped meditating for about a week, and I felt so ungrounded. I am a very grounded person naturally. I started meditating and BOOM! Order in the mind got me putting this bad boy on the daily 6am calendar, fo’ life! I have been meditating for 12 days now (so far, I only missed one day) and my brain fog is lifting. I just enjoy a clear brain! I know there are lots of benefits to meditating and I find myself doing this more than once a day. It’s a great reset, especially if I just released a lot of emotions.
Me and my bud.
Mindful Movement:
Yoga, yoga, yoga. Ok. So, I never went to a yoga class and went “I wish I didn’t go”. Ever! I love yoga and how it makes me feel! I am centered and empowered. Yoga is when I spend an hour loving my beautiful body in beautiful poses moving and lubricating my joints and organs, breathing mindfully, moving my eyeballs all around in different Drishti (eye focus points), and come to a Savasana quiet meditation. This is the magic. I went a week without, and my joints were stiff, my muscles were sore, I felt unmotivated and stuck. What a shitty feeling to be stuck. After my week, I ran to yoga. Yoga is where I go to digest my life experiences. I get to check in on my body and each part. My mind connects and I am whole. That give me all the happy tears because yoga gives me all I need inside and out.
Yoga with Aiko💝
Nature Calls:
Being outside in nature is my daily dessert. I find when I connect with life outside of myself and other humans, things begin to make sense. Follow the sun, when it wakes, I am too. The sun is highest at noon so is my digestion. When the sun sets, I will have already eaten and spend my evening winding down and getting my body ready for bed. I cannot quit this for a whole week. I have days where I did spend my time in artificial environments and not exposed to life outside. I lose connection with outside of me which is me. I don’t know if I’m making sense, but I am just as connected to earth and nature as I am my family. It’s the same thing to me. Without either, I would be sad and lifeless. Geez, just writing this makes me want to put my feet in the dirt.
We enjoy a morning sunrise!
Exercise:
Walking doesn’t require a whole lot of equipment or work. I can walk anywhere at any time without any direction. My only purpose is to walk, so why don’t I? I began my quest to find my walking shoes and get to pounding the pavement. I kind of love the way my thoughts process and get organized in my mind. I also get my focus on my tasks depending on the day so I don’t feel flustered and out of control. I stopped walking a week and found myself wanting sweets more. Oh fun, I’m not walking so why not eat empty calories? My favorite are peanut M&Ms. My thoughts began to be negative. I was moodier for sure! I’m sure my husband was happy I started walking again but not happy he was a part of my weekend walks too. LOL!
Walking to begin the day!
Massage:
Massage is so nourishing to my mind body connection. I have to hit every inch of my body though with my Banyan sesame oil blend (I make my own scented body oil) and use my hands to work out knots and tend to the sore spots. I get a monthly massage from a professional, as well. This massage gives me time to understand how each part feels now and become familiar with normal and not normal. I am so familiar with myself and each mole, that I trust me when something is not right. I don’t need anything or anyone outside of me to tell me something is wrong. I’ll know and go get trusted help. I went half a week without my self massage and I was out of sorts. I felt lost, like my brain was wondering where all its friends were, leg, arm, neck…no connection. Just like Covid, shut out of homes and left to yourself. I know I need to always be there to tend to myself and never lose myself again. Home 🙂
Sunset reminds me to begin to slow and tend to my body needs, like massage.
Hobbies:
Man, back when I was a kid, I played the piano, violin, loved exploring my area, bike riding, swimming, reading books, cooking, pretending and using my imagination! When did I stop to learn how to fly? When I grew up who told me I had to give up my loves? I really don’t remember this build up but I forgot when I had kids. They became my life and that was it. I watched them make their dreams and I took a back seat. The manifestor became the back seat driver. I found out I like a lot of things and they became important again. In fact, I get to enjoy my joys with my kids and that swells my heart with all the magic of being a mom, full circle. I really enjoy this crazy life learnings and this is what life is! Learn and learn, who says to stop? I find that my hobbies are a great balance in my life. I get my fix of my hobbies for me, and I can do what I need to as a wife and mom.
I am a proud mom, wife, daughter, sister, Auntie, niece, friend😍
I hope there are some nuggets you can manifest into your life from my blog. I have spent the last 2 years stripping old layers of decay off my plate. I don’t know why we don’t ask why more often. I never received any responses to my questions so I took that old way of thinking out of my way. It didn’t serve me. What doesn’t serve you? Can you go without it and find your truth? I hope you do and I hope you keep learning too!
There is lots of growth happening outside right now. I have Creeping Charlie on the side of my house blooming. My yarrow is waking up and showing her beautiful leaves. I love feeling the squishy, cool mud between my toes as I have been trying to feel grounded these past few weeks. I have busted out my arsenal of tools to help me cope while I get through this. Sometimes feeling all the feels is the best medicine. Sometimes not having all the answers and ability to immediately fix the situation is the solution. How can I sit in peace when there is a whirlwind manifesting craziness in my head? I have to be okay with not being okay and find my inner peace in the chaos. Hold onto your yoga mat as we explore finding inner peace.
Spring is here!
Movement
"I 1,000% know moving my body gets everything moving, thoughts, blood, energy, feelings, breakthroughs."
First things first, I enjoy a brisk walk whether it be on the sidewalk or in nature. Get me moving so these thoughts can get in order. I find myself able to feel clear-headed as my blood pumps. I love yoga and lately have been intuitively moving to music for 30 minutes. I feel organized and in control when I make the time for me. I am not the best at immediately getting up to go but this morning I worked out my back with my husband and earlier this week, I worked out with my daughter. I 1,000% know moving my body gets everything moving, thoughts, blood, energy, feelings, breakthroughs. When I feel out of control, I find something I can control.
Rain or shine, me and my doggos go for a walk🐶💝
Nature Bathing
Being out in nature is pure essence of all life force. I feel so safe and sound tucked away with the trees. I never bring headphones so I can intently listen to my surroundings. All the joy and love swirl within me. I can write for days about my experiences outside. First of all, it’s free! I will sit and listen. There are so many messages and soft whispers in these moments. I do not know how to express all of the gratitude I get from listening. It’s peaceful in my soul and fills me back up with Prana so I can enter my demanding world of giving.
Early morning walks in nature makes my soul soothed.
Meditation
Meditation is my time to quiet my active mind. A good 30-minute session gives me the impression my thoughts are just thoughts, and they cannot control me. I control me. I have been appreciating guided meditations. I use Hemi-Sync which is a paid app. It’s phenomenal! I do not use it daily, but I am highly intrigued to commit to doing 30 days and blogging about it. Let me know your thoughts if you’d like me to do this soon!
Meditating by finding peace with stillness💜
Fasting
I have been feeling better feeling empty. I have been skipping breakfast and feeling all the tummy grumbling. I do keep up on my hydration and feeling like my hot lemon water ritual is keeping all my cells squishy! Nothing feels better than feeling. I know a huge part of my alcoholism was covering up the feels. So, feeling good is the ultimate goal but how can I know what feeling good is if I don’t feel bad. I don’t think that slight hunger is bad, more like uncomfortable. How can I feel bad in my life and add hunger on top of that? I have a relationship with my food and take the time to eat. When I do eat, whatever it is, I know it will nourish me.
My nourishing hot honey salmon sushi bowl😍
Seek Community for Your Journey
I have the best community of women in my life. We all have problems, and when I talk, I know someone will listen and identify. We are all strong in ourselves, and a strong community brings power back to ourselves. I am not crazy; I am on top of my game! Making friends can be outside of your comfort zone, but if you sign up for something you like, maybe you’ll find someone just like you! Someone who quickly gets out of stranger status and becomes bestie status! Never say never. Everyone has a story and most love to share if someone will listen. Find your community💞
I have been amongst many strangers in the last few days on vacation in Phoenix. I am so very humbled by my experience and found my peace in a bustling city full of unknowns. My intention was to experience all I can muster each day and make sure I am taking time to tend to my needs as well.
I’m just following the sun’s rhythms.
I have been experimenting with my self-care routine for over a year now. I know what works best for my morning and night routine to keep me going and going and going. I just have a few requirements (even while on vacation), they are 7 hours of sleep and meditation, Abhyanga (self-massage), movement, hydration, and eating with intention. I was on vacation and stayed up late on a few nights and had to get used to a different time zone. I still made sure I got in my 7 hours of rest. I had my maps on my phone and I walked everywhere! I even did 22,000 steps in one day which plows my 5,500 step average! I made sure I tended to my sore legs and the rest of my body with a self-massage every night after my shower. I enjoyed journaling by the pool every morning with my cup of hot herbal tea to help keep me hydrated amongst lots of water daily. I didn’t eat the healthiest foods at every meal, but I did take my time and enjoyed every bite.
Rest and relaxation💖
Sleep and Rest
I used to put my body through the wringer when I was on vacation. I would drink alcohol late into the night most nights and not have a great night’s sleep. I wouldn’t listen to my body for cues of dehydration and being overworked. Have you ever come back from vacation exhausted? I don’t like feeling drained if I can help it. I love to love me. I have the recipe to keep my body in check because I learned to listen to my body.
I found myself lounging by the pool after our morning hikes. It was a great place to journal and watch nature. I was able to meditate as well.
Self-Massage
I must tend to my sore body or my body won’t want to carry me around the next day. At least it won’t feel happy about it. I made sure to spend time massaging my sore legs and feet. I’m telling you that 5 minutes made a huge difference! I would pay attention to my toes and gently pull on each one front, back, left and right sides. I would knead my thumbs or knuckles into the bottom of my foot and up to my calves. I am someone who will pay for a good massage but knowing I can do the same for myself is priceless.
Watching the city life 💜
Movement
I experienced my first guided hike, and it was phenomenal! First, we met at the trailhead at 6 AM and we were led towards the peak. During our ascent I learned all about the flora and fauna of the land. I found myself challenged by the steep inclines and navigating in the early morning darkness. We finally got to our destination, and it was spectacular! I had a moment with the sunrise, and we began our descent. I loved moving my body in this way. I challenged my mind and body and didn’t get hurt.
I found multiple opportunities to walk in nature. I also walked downtown to most of my destinations. I would stay within a few miles our home rental. I really enjoyed walking and taking in the sights and smells. I loved walking by the orange trees and smelling the orange blossoms. I enjoyed some stretchy yoga poses by the pool as well to get me feeling juicy and restored.
Hydration
I used to not love water and it had to be seasoned to not taste like water for me to drink it. I am not her anymore. I love, love water! I know it is a necessity for my well-being. My body loves hydrating with warm lemon water. I didn’t think it would matter too much but I was drinking many bottles of water and my lips were dry requiring moisture. I was in the desert, but it didn’t feel 100% dry but I’m thinking next time I will carry hot water with me.
Eating with Intention
I love vacationing because I let myself splurge on either lunch or dinner. My husband loves to eat at places that don’t have a lot of veggie options, so this is my compromise. I can keep a healthy relationship with eating even if it’s not the best for my body. We ate burgers every day. I took my time to enjoy my experience enjoying my food. I had the best company, and it really satisfied my soul. I never had room for dessert, but I did my best to balance my choices.
The best sweet, salty, bitter, sour, pungent non-alcoholic drink!
I am currently writing and listening to the birds enjoy the spring morning. It’s beautiful being in my natural inner peace right in the heart of downtown Phoenix. I am in love with this place, and I witnessed a bird’s mating dance right above my head! I felt like “National Geographic” happening right before my eyes! My soul is overflowing with contentment, and I don’t want to leave it, but I must. I will just make sure I visit my favorite places that manifest heart searching soul work often!
I will put the AirBNB we stayed at and to meet Paul, our hiking guide, in the comments!
Self-Diagnosed Yogi 