“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’
I do hope everyone is well and finding some peace these days.
I’d like to start by sharing a shocking fact: I’m not perfect. [collective gasp!] No, I’m sure no one thinks I am, but I’d like to share a little bit about why I write these posts.
I have signed up for blogs and newsletters from some lovely people, people with wisdom and powerful words. But often I find myself disappointed because they present themselves as perfect beings, without flaws.
They have perfect morning routines that never get compromised; they smash every goal they set; they appear perfect in every way.
And that’s disappointing. Because it doesn’t feel authentic to me.
I want to be authentic. I want you to know that I struggle too, sometimes. I’m still trying to figure things out, too. Wanting to be authentic is why I share some of my own stories with my clients.
We are in this boat together.
I’d like you to know that I write these letters, yes, to help you and perhaps share a little wisdom. But, more often than not, there’s something in my messages that I need to hear. A reminder, a push, an encouraging word.
And I hope that along our journey together, there is a reminder, a push or an encouraging word that you need to hear also. If so, then I have fulfilled my intention. Much gratitude to you for reading my thoughts as I put them into words.
I’m going to repeat myself… We are in this boat together. And nothing has made that more clear than current circumstances.
A few weeks ago, I asked my readers to consider how they were going to handle the rising waters. I shared 10 ways to navigate this new and strange time in a recent email. Those suggestions are still relevant today – I only sent that on March 12, but it seems like ages ago.
Today I feel drawn to talking about time. How are you spending your time?
Some of you now have children at home, are trying your best to learn how to teach them, are also working from home, still cleaning the house (even more vigorously), and still making sure your family is fed and has clean clothes. All of those responsibilities are enough on their own – now they are tripled or quadrupled.
Perhaps your story is different. Maybe it’s just you, or just you and your partner, or you and your pet or elderly parent. Maybe you or your partner have lost your job, or maybe your job is on hold because you can’t do what you do without coming in close contact with other humans.
Despite being in the same boat, everyone’s situation is different.
In all cases, everything can seem uncertain and there is likely an underlying buzz of anxiety and fear. But we’ll get to that later…
[Ha! I just realized that my analogy from last time was sailing – doh! I just recognized my continuity and to prove that I’m not perfect – I didn’t plan that!! Anyway…]
The Time of Our Lives
My first question today is how are you navigating your time? Do you have more? Do you have less? Did your routine fly out the window? Did you create a new routine?
There is no lack of Facebook posts telling us that now is “the perfect time to xxx!!!” Right?
In this current life, what is this the perfect time for you to do, to accomplish, to explore?
Time Management
If you work from home, how are you choosing to dress when you are on “work time?” If you did before, do you still do your hair and make-up each morning? I’m going to just put this out there: if you’ve strayed quite a distance from a work “normal,” it will be challenging to get back into those habits when you suddenly have to report back to your work environment.
Now, I’m not saying that I have been wearing my work clothes, but when I know I have an online video call, I do put on some make-up and try not to look like I just got up 🙂
Personally, while I have been busier “at work” just trying to transition to an online environment with all the technology challenges that come with that, I have created a new morning routine and have set some intentions.
Things I Tell Myself
Keep moving (in my case, get moving) and choose wisely. It’s important that we maintain our current levels of health – don’t eat the entire bag of chips, go for a long walk or a run (because when you do have to put work clothes on – you know, those things with buttons and zippers – they’re gonna be tight!). In fact, it may be the perfect time to learn to cook healthier foods or to try new eating patterns (3 meals, 5 small meals, intermittent fasting – whatever your gig is).
Physical activity has been proved to reduce stress (buy you already know that, don’t you?). Get out of the house – put down the remote!
Try a new perspective. Try mindfulness or meditation. It’s not easy and you’re going to feel like you’re failing at it over and over and over again. That’s why experts call it a practice. For me, being mindful of being in the present moment is particularly helpful these days. I have anxiety about being able to keep my elderly father safe. I remind myself on a regular basis that I am taking every precaution I can and doing my best.
The rest isn’t up to me. And that’s kind of freeing, really.
Make your bed! Maybe you’ve heard this before. But, boy, what a nice feeling it is when I’m finished with my day and I return to my room and find it ready. I fold my night clothes every morning so they are ready to put on. When I’m finished working out, I untie my sneakers and they’re ready to go the next morning.
Make time for yourself – especially if you have more people at home than usual. Now is the critical time for you. Get up 15 minutes before everyone else. Carve out a place in your home where you can find solitude (closets are perfectly fine!).
Find a simple pleasure that makes you happy. And do it regularly. Wear your favorite body spray, light a scented candle, look through old photographs. Personally, I take an extra few minutes and let the hot water flow over me at the end of each shower (I turn down the cold water and just enjoy the heat). What’s your simple pleasure?
Journal. I know; you’ve tried before. But it can help with anxiety if you just get it all out on paper. Tell your paper what makes you anxious or fearful these days; write down an intention; chronicle what’s going on in the world right now; just write.
Quell Anxious Thoughts
I mentioned that I experience anxiety. It’s not disabling and it’s not a diagnosis. It doesn’t have to be. If you’re worried, fearful, struggling with not knowing these days, grieving for all the loss in the world, know that it’s absolutely okay.
What’s not okay is if you let it limit you, limit your energy, limit your need to be social, limit you in any way.
Many have found new ways of being social – video, Zoom, regular-old-fashioned phone calls, walking together at a safe distance, having sidewalk to doorway conversations. Explore new ways of communicating. Get out in nature.
Follow the guidelines and do the best you can. Review the list of ten suggestions I wrote about elsewhere. They’re still applicable today.
This may be news to you, but you cannot control what happens ;). You can only control your actions. You can practice being mindfully present. Being present helps you to understand that you’re here, right now, and you’re safe.
This is temporary. The Buddha reminds us that everything is temporary, and I find that comforting. I hope you can as well.
You have what it takes to create some calm, peace, and serenity in your own life. Use this time to dip your toes into a new way of approaching life. You’ve got this!
I’m Still Here For You
NEW! Calm Coaching
I thought it might be helpful to offer a new service these days. A non-contact service!
Calm Coaching is time for you to find some peace and serenity. I’ll give you 15 minutes by phone or video chat for whatever you need. You can receive distance Reiki, experience guided imagery, explore meditation, or just talk about how you’re feeling and I’ll listen with understanding and reflection with no judgement.
When you book a session, I’ll contact you to learn more about how you’d like to spend time together and work out logistics. We’ll spend 15 minutes together and you’ll end our session feeling lighter, more motivated, less anxious, and ready to face another day.
You can book one session for 15 minutes, or if you wish for more time, or a longer guided visualization session, book two sessions. Each session is $10.
Wellness Coaching
If you happen to find yourself with some additional time and decide to focus inward, wellness coaching is still available. Coaching by phone is a great option any time, but now in particular.
Distant Reiki
Reiki is energy from the universe; it can be directed anywhere by someone who has been attuned or experienced a placement. I am able to share Reiki energy with you from anywhere. Set aside some time for relaxing and healing energy to flow.
Anytime you’d like to learn more about my offerings, please visit MyInnerVisionWellness.com or email me – I’m happy to find a way for us to work together.
If you would like to become an InnerVision Insider and receive newsletters directly to your inbox before they’re more widely distributed (I send 1-2 a month), sign up today!
Peace & Serenity to you all. Thanks for reading.
