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.
My days are filling with lots of movement. The longer days energize me with stamina and curiosity. I am in my third week of 5:30 am bootcamp. Just two weeks ago, I was so sore that all I could do was move slowly and awkwardly. All that came out of my mouth was, “I’m so sore.” Well, good thing my body did what it does to repair the brokenness. I trust the process and understand that after boot camp and 12,000 steps a day, I’m allowed rest. My body needs restoration and salty tub soaks, slower evenings with abhyanga or self-massage, and loving massages from my husband. I’m learning to love the pauses because then healing will take place.
The rain carries so much more than water. The sound is the most mesmerizing to me.
Listen with Intent
More is more. We don’t always need more, we need to learn to listen to our bodies. I find slowing down to meditate gets all my senses in line with what is really going on. It’s my time to gather knowledge and truths. I don’t need to read a magazine or listen to a podcast to know what’s going on in me. Right? So, what feels good to stretch after a grueling workout? Do I need to practice yin yoga? Am I listening to my body’s need or just going through mindless motions? Listening is key to a healthy body mindset.
Yoga and nature create my peace.
Yoga Asanas
I love yoga! Yoga brought me to my core. My purpose in life. How? I know, it’s crazy! Yoga began as a workout, but being in my mind on my mat, reflecting on my day, life, and worldly views, entranced me. I became the next victim to the power of yoga. My curiosity kept me coming back to my mat. What will I find out today? How will my body adjust to these new fruitations? My mind is a sponge, and I want all of it! I’m starting to read about yoga philosophy, and this old knowledge feels alive inside of me. I carry it in all my conversations with myself and others. Even my yoga studio offers conversations on Thursdays. Heart love💝
I get up and move every morning, rain or shine.
Start My Day Right
Oh, gotta love that morning routine! I am lazy to get out of my bed. I like to play my day in my head while my husband takes up space in our bathroom. Anything to enjoy being in my haven. I get up and kiss him good morning as I make my way into the bathroom. I brush my teeth, scrape my tongue, wash my face, use my homemade Chamomile toner, massage my homemade calendula shea butter into my face utilizing gua sha, and salt rinse and oil my nose. I get dressed for my workout and get to stepping. When I get home, I eliminate, shower, and abhyanga my poor muscles. Depending on my hunger, I will eat or get away with a hot tea to begin my next session of my day.
Anything can be nourishing if you can be mindful.
Mindful Movement
I love my body so much. It took some time for me to say it, let alone write about it. My body was home to my three babies. My body endured pain, life, regrets, and abuse. It was me who blocked it out. If I can love others, I sure as hell can love myself. If I’m moving with purpose I can tend to my body’s needs and get into my day helping others.
Yogi Outro
I am enjoying the longer days, and the heat is welcoming to my cooler body temps. I find the line so very thin between moving my body all day and rest. Am I being lazy by resting? Am I lazy because I want to read in my hammock and enjoy the cool morning breeze? Maybe, but I have to be ok with it. I love to cut corners so I can have my lazy, restorative practices. It’s a balance and going, going, going will lead to burn out. I am learning to enjoy the pauses and enjoy watching my seeds grow.
I finally completed my firepit area in my backyard and I love it! I find myself sitting out here facing the different directions in my effort to find my creativity. Where is my G-spot in this vast area full of life? LOL! I am slowly being called to work with the Sacred Hoop or Medicine Wheel. Exploring the unknown is so fucking fulfilling. I am in control of this ship, and I want to go where I have never been before. I am without fear and only curiosity, it’s overwhelming. I used to be limited in my quests by limited beliefs. Now, I am waist-high in so let the adventures begin! I am limitless.
My weekends have been full of moving and hauling rocks with my family. Ahhhh! Project 1 ✔️
My mornings have been consistent with my new routine of yoga and a good hour of fast walking in nature, all before work! Or before 7! My consensus is this new morning practice is phenomenal! I am so clear headed and focused to begin my tasks for the day. I am centered and full of energy. I am still getting up at 4am and I am noticing that, not only am I opening my eyes, but I am also up and at ’em! I get my bathroom habits completed and roll out my mat. I have a few yoga teachers I can trust to give me a heated flow. I get my heart beating good, my body stretched, pranayama (breath practice), mind/body/soul check in, organs moved, eyeballs moved, and a meditation all in 1 hour! Yoga is amazing stuff, I tell ya!
This Robin comes back every year to lay her 1st round of eggs. They hatched this year!
I understand when I leave my house, I am a mere lonely soul in a huge existence of many, many other people. I have to be in a good mindset to take on others’ emotions. You know how emotional some people get when they are passed on the highway, or how people can be unkind to you for no other reason than to be mean, or my neighbor who quickly pulled out of their driveway in front of me while I was driving on the street. I do my best to not react negatively, as two negatives are exactly that. I have learned to slow down and take my time being intentional in all my life’s moments. I analyze it all! Smells, sights, temperature, emotions. I do not want everyone’s trash or shitty attitudes so if I leave my home with the mindset that I will serve without any prejudices, I win! I choose peace and love, love and peace.
Mr. Baby is the cutest cat I ever met. ❤️ He loves companionship and together we love the new firepit area!
I have been listening to my body and since I’m typically eating two meals a day, I have been skimping on good fats, like avacados, chia seeds, nuts, ghee. I had a thought cross my mind (or intuition) last weekend that I need more fat and I should start making my decaf lattes with 2% milk (eeeek!) and 1 teaspoon of ghee. Well, one week into my little experiment and I find it pretty good with my digestion and I am noticing my skin! I am not so dry anymore, but we shall see because it has been raining and humid the last few days. I feel I have more power over my cravings for sugar too! I’m not sure if its linked but it’s highly suspicious because I made a pact with myself this week, I would not eat sugar or sugar free foods after 7pm. Well, I haven’t and also, I really haven’t had a lot of sugar, except the cake and ice-cream last night to celebrate a birthday.
My new front door mat that sums up my summer plans in a creative way😂
How limited is life really? I find my boundaries are lifting. I am safe in my beliefs, and they serve me well. I am so intuned to my higher self and where I’m headed. It’s crazy to break through old thought processes and truly believe in myself, right where I am. I am limitless in my love. I am limitless in my body. I am limitless in my life. What possibilities await? I honestly from the deep core of my bones cannot wait to live my life in this new existence. I see myself dancing and growing so deep into my spirit. Don’t be scared to explore your space and find how you too can live limitless!
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!
Spring is in the air! Yes, there are lower temperatures in the coming days, but on my morning walk today I saw life. The plants are coming to life as their spring awakening comes right on time. As far as I go, I’m ready to wake up and clean out my old, partially digested leftovers living in my body. Not just food but bad thoughts I may have picked up, or bad habits. I also cannot forget to clean out my closets and clean out all the corners of my house of clutter. It’s spring cleaning so I mind as well add in green juices too. I am craving bitter greens and thoroughly enjoyed orange grapefruit ginger juice to help boost my immunity. We made this in my Ayurvedic class, along with veggie buddha bowls and dandelion greens. Oh, my favorite!
Sleepy heads
1st Things 1st — Movement
I have been enjoying my morning nature walks. Just waking up with a purpose to move my body is life changing. I find my thoughts move in my head faster versus my body in rest. I can lay down with my phone and have a great time researching every idea that crosses my mind. That puts too much information and no focus in my mind, I then have this overwhelming thought that I wasted my morning. There is my old pattern, negativity. I choose to get up and walk. I have power and I show up for myself every day because I know this works best for me. When I walk my thoughts become ideas and I can decide how I want to explore those possibilities. All that in a walk. Good morning to me!
Greeting the sun!
If it’s raining outside and just not enjoyable at all, I will get my body and my thoughts on my mat. I have been enjoying moving intuitively lately to music but there are mornings where I don’t want to think about my next move so I will utilize my yoga studio’s recorded sessions. As long as I am moving, my thoughts are grooving in sync what you think? I think, I am enjoying the best balance I can ever manifest for my morning routine. Not everyone is up early enough to walk before work, I understand, the movement is the only purpose of this paragraph. Move.
Keep Them Thoughts Moving
I am admiring the swirling warm air (Vata) outside. I find these days help me figure out what I need to figure out. My thoughts are active and ready for solving, I find. What does this mean in Layman’s terms? So, we are all connected to nature whether we like bugs or not or enjoy a rainstorm or not. It isn’t all about likes and dislikes. We can’t tell the rain to not be so wet and when you begin to notice when you are gassy on a Tuesday (before tacos) and you also begin to notice it’s really windy outside. Hmmmm. Maybe we are intertwined. I find my thoughts surface on windy days, and I find time to get things in order! Kaphic people are earthy and watery, these are heavy, heavy grounding elements. I enjoy the elements of ether and air as I begin to focus on my seasonal awakening.
Rosemary tea is antimicrobial and is great in the morning when I need to focus 😃
Clean the Clutter, Save Your Mind
I cleaned out my closet about a month ago. Lifechanging! I can find my stuff! I let go of a lot of clothes. It also encourages me to design a better functioning closet for me. I am in the design process currently, so I moved my energy to the entry way closet, and it felt so good to let go of the things that no longer excite me. I started my donations box and I plan on getting my basement organized. We have a few things to get rid of and I plan on going through my holiday decorations. I am ready to let go of a lot of things. I feel my heart lighten and my mind doesn’t have to work as hard to find things. I have space! I have accomplished so much by doing so little. Try it, just a small study of one. My study has really helped me in my daily life.
I have decades of stuff in my house. I am not going to fret and feel like I need to do it all now. I am taking my time and not forcing myself to “let go” on days I need to “receive”. In Ayurveda, kaison is “small steps” and that’s how I will attack my clutter. A bit at a time to not overwhelm myself and these small steps ensure I’m always moving forward.
My flower agate to help me manifest my ideas❤️
Journal Your Truths
Writing down my thoughts and how I process my day is the best thing for me. I am able to see my thoughts on paper, but I get to experience it again by writing. Things come up in my meditations that I need to process outside of my head. The more I create a relationship with my thoughts the better outcome I get. I have been curious with how I perceive myself. Am I being my most authentic self to myself and others? If a thought of someone gives me a bad feeling, why? What is truth and what is made up in my head? I have played a whole scenario in my head of what I think is happening and be so off on a tangent that I fail to see that I’m headed into a wall. If I react, I would be in emotions only. Or only reacting with no true purpose. Until we know our truth then we are speaking someone else’s truth, right?
I have to be honest with myself how people or places affect me. I sometimes brush over small thoughts and concentrate on the bigger issues at the time. Well, over time small can get big and my journal is great to go back and see if it was mentioned before. My journal is my truths only. I cannot hide my true feelings all the time. They show up in my journal, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Greens, Greens, Greens!
My body is craving the scratchy fibrous greens and I am so glad we live in a day of unseasonal vegetables available all year round. I saw dandelion greens at my local co-op. I, of course, bought them and I have been eating them in my buddha bowls for lunch. I just prep and cook my food on Sunday and I have a whole week of meals. Dandelion greens are bitter and help to awaken my digestion. Nothing like digesting fibrous juicy greens for my organs. I also plan on buying a few fresh juices from my local juicery. I know a lot of juiceries combine veggies and fruit and I typically eat my fruit by itself. I will look for veggies only or just stick with good ‘ol celery juice.
Lunch is my biggest meal!
I know it’s not quite Spring equinox yet, but my body is wanting to slowly begin my spring awakening. I find listening to my body gives me the best use out of my days. I have a phenomenal morning and evening routine that works so well to soothe my soul. I crave my routines and I give myself all the attention. I only need an hour in the morning, after my meditation, to get my mind right for the day. I hope you find inspiration to begin thinking about what you want in your Spring awakening.
I have been lying low taking in all the rest and recharge winter has to offer. I am ready to re-emerge and plant all the new seeds I collected over winter solstice. I cannot wait to share with you as my ideas unfold and manifest! Winter in my area is holding on with a vengeance. We had a few days of warmth and now we are enjoying the drying, cold air under gray wet skies for a few days before another shift change. Welcome to the Midwest, right? How do we hold on to our sanities and keep our bodies and minds in check when outside is a season away from a meltdown? I can explain how I find myself listened to, spiritually motivated, nourished, and keeping up with movement when all I want to do is rest. What we want and what we need are two separate things and yes, I struggle too because I am human.
Subtle whispers can be heard in silence.
I find meditation time so very relaxing. I am in peace in the silence with my thoughts. As I put my thoughts to bed, I find the emptiness of my head vast. Sometimes, I can explore that vastness. Some days my mind shuts down immediately when I think about the vastness, I think my colonized finite brain rules pop up again and I am stuck in a dark head. Yawn! I would like to keep exploring in my meditations and see what comes up. I find problems in my life get solved. I’m not saying by the flick of my wrist they disappear, I’m more advocating that most of the time we are stressed over thoughts, right? I find when I am able to think on it the thought fixes itself and goes away. I don’t physically have to do a lot to get my thoughts moving and getting solved. I get great plans and I am very methodical in my thinking in waking times thanks to my daily meditation routine.
Nature is amazing!
I know there is more than our minds can comprehend, humans have been around a long time, and we are more than our bodies. I think sometimes people are really scared of the unknown and they project their fears, and those fears are passed down but never really explored. I know there is a study on crows that prove they do that too. I do admit fears are scary and everything I explore is high sensations. Fear shows up and I am currently exploring this and using my tools to be safe in my thoughts. I do have a therapist as well. Honestly, we should all have someone we trust in our lives that we can tell anything to and get very good advice from. Someone who will be there for you, and you can trust will keep you safe, whether you pay them or you don’t.
Journal Rituals
Did you know we just had a full moon in Pices? Did you feel the energy? I sure did, it caused me to write this blogpost! I also did my Lenape Full Moon ceremony that my auntie passed down to me. I tell you; my younger self would have loved to be in that moment with me. I had fun and felt the release of my prayers be carried off. It’s a great feeling to let go. Do you hold onto stuff in your mind that isn’t yours? Or maybe it is yours but your ashamed of it and you can’t think about it without a great deal of pain, so you stuff it further down. Writing in my journal helps me find what I need to focus on for that month, week, or day. Some days there is a lot so I write it all down because I focus better on tasks when I can see it on paper. Plus, writing it down gives me another tie to remember it.
Another journal entry, another amazing sunrise!
I can take my journal everywhere and I do. I will intentionally watch the sunrise by the water. That is my favorite. I will drive myself to our local wetland area and walk to greet the sun. It’s breathtaking as I witness the birds wake up and take flight to get breakfast. I will take a seat on dry grass and journal my thoughts as I feel them. My journal can handle all my emotions. I sage my journal because I have secrets and my feelings about people never leave my journal. It’s a written expression of my mind. I know that it’s safe and I am safe to have it because no one will read it that lives with me. If I left it somewhere and someone read it, they are welcome. LOL! No one will know it’s me…My point is my journal keeps me going forward in my thoughts because I work them out all the way through. I don’t partially brush my hair, even when it hurts and takes an hour of brushing or an overnight moisturizing hair mask.
Spiritual Yoga Pose
If I were to choose my favorite movement, it would be sun salutations. I don’t just fall into sun salutations though; I will be very slow at first. Especially, if it’s first thing in the morning. One salutation hits every part of your body in movement! I usually hang out in forward fold to get a great lower back and hamstring stretch. As I get to 2 or 3, I will speed up and get my heart rate going. As Spring approaches it’s calling me to be more adventurous with yoga and possibly get back into my favorite hot yoga studio for early morning movements.
Warrior I❤️
My spiritual yoga pose has to be Warrior I. I have power in my pose and so very grounded. My arms are defined in their space and graceful. My breath is able to freely dance but be masculine in my femineity. I feel neutral and all the things that come with peace. Yoga is so amazing! I can get my movement in, keep my spine fluid and flexible, I get into poses that create movement for my organs, I get meditation done in savasana and BAM! I covered 1 hour of mindful breathing, mindful movement, rest for my body and my mind to process what just happened. My journey down the rabbit hole started with yoga. Just sayin’.
Nourishment
I have been struggling being consistent with cutting out sugar. It is truly an addictive drug. Uggghhhh! If anyone has tips, please pass them along! I bought pineapple and cotton candy grapes but that may be inhibiting my addiction. I do know that this is winter still and its ok for me to sit with nourishment contemplation. Will I cut it out 100% and eat only my dosha fruit/sweets recommendations? Or will I be able to have a dessert once a week? What is it with numbers and eating? LOL! I’m not sure but it’s limiting skills on my mind regarding eating is interesting.
7 veggies and steak tacos❤️
I have been craving kale and sweet potatoes which I do imbibe. Salads have been showing up on my plate as well. I truly honor what my body is wanting, within reason. I do know how to limit myself and not overindulge. It’s seriously a fine line from throwing in the towel and being ravenous with no purpose. I just try to meal plan using 30 different plants in my weekly dinners and lunches. It’s not hard if you learn to cook with herbs. I love herbs and I just took an herbal tea class. The class reminded me of how much I know about herbs and how they feel in my body. It’s time to slowly wake up and welcome in Spring solstice in a few weeks!
I do enjoy sharing my life and nuances I find out along the way. I hope these thoughts can plant healthy ideas in your life. If not, that’s ok too! We are all different and in different stages of growth. Not that my growth is the only one. Just think of how many plants there are out in the world. They are all different but require the same water to grow and be nourished. May your path be blessed with many beginnings!
Self-Diagnosed Yogi 