Keeping Grounded
Life can be difficult when the ground under our feet feels unstable. I thought I’d share 10 practices I’ve found helpful to feel more like myself, truer to my values, and more connected, especially during times when it is hard to see through the haze of discontent.
Acknowledge how I am feeling. If I’m feeling anxious, recognize that is what I feel in that moment, then keep moving through my day. Feelings are temporary and they do not define who we are, but when we try to ignore them, they fight harder to be seen.
Do a mindfulness practice. Pay attention to something in your Present, like your breath, or a sound around you, for a few minutes a day.
Every day, find three things you are grateful for. This helps keep things in perspective. Today it is 10 degrees below zero, so I am grateful for a warm cozy space to be inside. I am grateful to have leftover homemade turkey noodle soup to soothe my slightly sketchy tummy, and that that my husband heated it up for us, so I could stay cozy in my blanket just a little longer. And I am grateful for the view from my window of the diamond-like glittery snow and trees outside.
Move my body. Where possible, get outdoors. Even better if it can be in nature. This helps me feel better every time I am able to do so, and I try to keep in mind that as long as I keep moving my body, I will keep being able to do so. So, when I bundle up to go outside, even for a few minutes, I know this will help me feel better.
Keep a daily journal. I list my top three priorities for the day based on my energy level, important appointments, and commitments I made. At least once a week, I choose something from my list of Hope Tos, Looking Forward Tos, and Ways to Give, and prioritize my schedule accordingly.
Prioritize time with our loved ones. Share a meal, tell stories, play games, laugh, and have fun.
Remember we are enough. I don’t need to lose weight to be a better human, or gain more things for my home, or accomplish 200% growth year over year. Neither do you. We are all enough. All the rest is gravy.
Make my goals for growth smaller and more specific. Make my expectation to try my best, in a way that matches my energy. Focus on the process, more than the result.
Be kind to myself and others when things don’t work out as I envision them to.
For things you can control, reflect on one step you can take toward the direction you want to go, and make it so small you barely notice the effort. For things you can’t control, learn to pivot.
Remember to be kind to yourself, do not delegate your power to decide what is important and right to others. When you start to mindfully reflect on your decisions, you make better ones! And those better choices usually result in better outcomes for you and those around you.
