Love Letter for a Wednesday – Making some changes to help Myself.

Love Letter for a Wednesday – Making some changes to help Myself.

About five weeks ago I was feeling particularly sad, tired and just not me.

My grief of our Mother had settled into my bones, the realisation that she wasn’t physically here with me was felt beyond words. I couldn’t feel her as much as I had and this made me very sad.

I felt sad for the world’s happenings, and sad about friends that were doing it tough, the news stories were making me cry more than ever. 

Every cell in my body was raw and open to these happenings.

I know it is part of life to be sad sometimes and how can’t we be when there is so much happening that is causing devastation upon innocent people.

I needed to make some changes to my day.

I created a list of all the things that made me feel good about myself and the things that didn’t.

When you physically write things down it is a way of getting it all out of your head.

I was very honest and intentional.

Once I had completed my list I set about doing more of what made me feel good about myself and less of what didn’t.

I decided I was going to start my day in a different way.

I was going to get up earlier and this was the start of a new morning ritual for me.

I now get up about 4.45-5am, as I wanted more time in my mornings before I started my studio/workshop work.

One of the things I wrote down on my list was to buy some new skin products.

So now I start my day with some self care, cleansing my face with the intention that this is the start of a new day and I am going to look after myself.

I then go out to our living room, light my candle and say my prayers for all who need it. This action soothes my being and opens my heart.

My body has been feeling sore and tired, so I now do 10-15 minutes of yoga stretches, again with the intention of looking after myself.

I spend the next 45 minutes on ‘life admin’. Going through and responding to emails/messages. I write a list of ‘to do’ for the day, check my calendar in case I have forgotten something! I sip away at a cup/s of grated ginger and hot water. 

The sun is coming up and it’s time to go for my walk. Again with the intention of moving my body and clearing my mind. This is when I write my Thoughts for Our Day. I feel inspired by my surroundings and these thoughts are a direct message from the blessing of living where we do.

After my walk , Hylesy and I spend 20 minutes on the cross trainer and rowing machine. It has been really motivating exercising together and we have a few laughs!

We then start our working days by about 7.30.

The weekends I am more relaxed, skipping the life admin and if I am really tired my walk, though this isn’t often as It gives me energy and more perspective for my thoughts.

I just thought I would share as writing this list has helped me see what I really needed to change. I also don’t drink during the week and have cut down my weekend drinks unless there is something special on and I feel like it.. I like having a drink/s but sometimes the next day, my mental state and the ‘hangxiety’ isn’t helpful and this really was another thing I needed to consider to help look after myself.

My food intake, eating time and amount is more considered and I am making sure I drink enough water during my day.

This new routine has really helped me feel good and I feel like I am accomplishing more. It really has been a game changer for me. 

I think in the end, we are in charge of our minds and bodies. We need to do all we can to help it function in a way that clears the way for moving forward. I do think it helps with our coping mechanisms when life throws some curveballs, if we can try and stock up on our reserves. It isn’t about ‘curing’ my grief. As anyone who has lost a close loved one knows, life just grows around our grief, it is always there. My new morning routine has cushioned my grief on days that it needs to, it has given me strength as the days that I need to be giving most to others, as in my workshops and it has helped the tears flow when they need to.

We are all different and our needs are different , so each ‘self care’ and morning rituals are going to be different because our needs are different. 

But I feel that if we just spend a little time trying to look after ourselves better, then in turn we are helping others as we have more to give.

All my Love darlings,

Love Steph xx