Many of us struggle with the “busi-ness” of our days, trying to fit in all of the errands: grocery shopping, cooking dinner, helping with kids’ homework and their afterschool activities all while meeting the demands of our jobs. At the end of the day, we are exhausted, feel depleted and find ourselves just surviving.
What if you were not surviving but thriving at the end of the day? What if you went through each day living your life to its fullest potential? What if each day was an adventure? How would this effect your life? How would it affect those who connect with you on a daily basis?
How can I achieve this you ask? By slowing down, loving yourself and absorbing your surroundings. Do you know how to be kind, gentle and loving to yourself? What behaviors, actions, thoughts and feelings resonate with you throughout the day? While you are running through the checklists of tasks during the day, what is your inner voice telling you? Are you lifting yourself up with words of affirmations, or tearing yourself down with shame and negative reflections? Most of us struggle because we are trying to keep up with the pace around us, getting through the day the best way we know how not paying attention to how we feel or what we are thinking. By changing how we see ourselves, changing our behaviors and having a better understanding of what is driving our thoughts, we can THRIVE! We can connect to those in our lives, feel joy and excitement. Our days can be adventurous and when we wind down at night we can relax and look forward to what the next day has in store for us.
By slowing down the cadence of our day in our minds, it allows us to understand what we need, how we can be fulfilled and what we want. A five-minute meditation in the morning before you start your day can provide you the connection you need with your body to maintain focused throughout the day. Once you have established this mind body connection, you are able to understand what your body is craving. It may be simply resting, taking a 5-10 minute nap to recharge. It may be connection, picking up the phone reaching out to a friend or loved one. Or it might be needing fulfillment by taking a brisk walk or absorbing the warmth of sunshine on a beautiful day. It is easy to distract ourselves with clothing, shoes, jewelry, food and even accolades to soothe our cravings but at the end of the day we are left exhausted and depleted – what happened to the adventure? We can enjoy shopping, eating delicious foods and receiving appreciation, these can also fulfill our wants as long as we are connected to our mind. Connecting with a friend while taking a brisk walk or shopping at a local boutique can lift your spirits and energize your day.