Return to the basics to find stability and balance.

‘Just stop not writing’

This was a piece of advice I was offered last night as I struggled to come to terms with the fact that I was stuck and was giving myself a really hard time about it.

Our human nature likes to make things more complicated than they need to be. After a summer hiatus and a few emails to clients, I was keen to connect online once again, yet struggled with what I ‘should’ be sharing first.

What would be most helpful given all that is going on in our world? What do you need right now? 

My mind was buzzing and looping around with ideas, giving the impression that this was ‘supposed to be’ hard work. It took the simplicity of hearing ‘Just stop not writing’ to pause, breathe and begin again.

As we all continue to adapt to a world struggling with ongoing uncertainty and suffering, we can support and fortify ourselves through simple acts of kindness, connection, appreciation, pleasure, compassion, community and self-care.

This realization reminded me of what I appreciated most this summer.

I missed travelling to Thailand for a month’s advanced yoga teacher training in June/July. I didn’t think I would, since I’d really accepted the circumstances and I had plenty to keep me busy. However, it would have been my 8th consecutive year and somehow the sensation of missing that experience crept up on me.

I had planned to find a little Swiss hut in the mountains to immerse myself in nature for a few days, take a social media detox and hike – but the Swiss were ahead of me and almost all huts were fully booked.

So I began to focus on my intention. I realized that what I most wanted from my week away was to be inspired.

I typed randomly into Google and finally came across a haven, tucked away in the heart of Tuscany, Italy, just waiting to be discovered. A beautiful property. 100% committed to environmental consciousness, plant-based and eco-friendly from the ground up, inside and out, popped up on my radar and ticked all the boxes.

I received such a warm welcome, practiced yoga on my own twice a day, hiked for hours, learnt about permaculture gardening, journaled in vineyards beneath the shade of a tree, walked medieval paths and so much more.

After coming from the lush, green landscape of Switzerland, I was struck by how dry the land was. Yet as I absorbed the nature around me, I found immense beauty in the delicate flowers that emerged from the ploughed dry earth and the vast array of vegetation and wildlife in the nature reserve.

I loved spending time with a family and their friendly staff who were passionate about living and sharing their philosophy of life, I admired the skills and expertise that came through observing nature, experimenting and discovering what works along the way. I learnt how the natural elements and vegetation are all interconnected, working together and supporting each other during the dry season.

I found a whole new level of appreciation for simplicity, that opened up a deeper level of awareness and truth for what matters and thrives within us all.

Let’s take extra good care of ourselves and each other, dig deeper into our resources.

Importance of Basic Self-Care Needs

Sometimes we just need to return to the basics to find stability and balance.

Our essential self-care needs for our body, mind and soul include:

• Nourishing food
• Fresh air
• Sunlight
• Clean water
• Regular exercise
• Adequate sleep
• Relaxation

Take time to listen to your body and mind. What is it you need right now?

Engage in activities or creativity that nourish you. Step outside and take a breath, reconnect with a teacher, mentor or dear friend, sign up for a class, step back on your yoga mat, ask a question, ask for help or try something new.

Just stop not … (practicing, appreciating, trying – fill in the blank)

And keep reaching out.

I’m here with you. 

Karen x

P.S. If you would like to dive deeper and reclaim your health and connection to your body through a personalised approach, join me for my upcoming Deep-Dive Immersion.