Counter the Impact of Life’s Many Demands With Intentional, Restorative Practices
A life of balance looks different for everyone. For some, completing a hard workout and eating a nourishing meal may be soothing and restorative.
For others, updating a personal budget and meeting up with friends for a night of enriching conversation might be just what the doctor ordered. In this series, we celebrate the many ways through which we can come to centeredness by spotlighting women who are intentional about cultivating joy and balance through their own unique practices.
Stay Curious About My Inner World
This one took some work on the front end, but once I found my stride, it was worth it. Understanding my own history and how it shows up in my beliefs and emotions has been crucial to attempting to maintain balance. I am constantly learning and unlearning. What do I need to release and what can I sit with? Why is this thing or situation upsetting me? I overthink everything, so a new practice I’ve started when I’m overthinking a conversation or interaction is asking myself, “Did I hurt anyone?” If the answer is no, I move on.
Play Outside
Being outside is the only place I’m able to almost instantly slow my heart rate and silence the noise of life. Hiking is a walking meditation for me – matching my steps with my breathing; listening to the rocks and leaves crunch beneath my feet; noticing the way the woods smell after a summer rain; watching the sunlight seep down from the top of the trees during sunrise. I go outside to untangle my thoughts and be present. It works 100% of the time.
Romanticize Little Moments
Life exists in the in-between moments for me. I think it’s really important to find happiness in those seemingly mundane spaces of life. I’m a people pleaser and an empath, so I’m pretty much always emotionally drained. Every week, I prioritize at least one slow weekend morning for coffee by the window in my favorite chair, journaling, and putting on a record.
