Personal Empowerment through Stillness and Soul Soothing
In the rush of daily life, we can begin to lose sight of how important it is to slow down and allow ourselves to be still, mentally, physical and on a soul level. The outside world is full of noises and distractions that keep us in doing mode. When actually what is just as important for us as human beings is to be fully comfortable with allowing ourselves to adopt a state of “being” instead. More specifically what I mean by “being” is proactively deciding to get out of that doing state, following to-do lists, need to or should’s and instead learning to ask ourselves the important question “what do I need for myself today”
What if you made a choice to let go that to-do list for a day or two and gave yourself permission to fully embrace that state of allowing yourself to be still. Allow yourself to get off the treadmill of daily life and take a pause. Press that pause button. Take a moment and start asking yourself the following question: How can I slow things down for myself, how can I take even 30 mins and allow myself to sit and absorb and reflect on how I am feeling right now, what is going well for me right now, what do I want to work on about myself right now.
Slowing down does not mean that you are doing anything wrong, slowing down for me means I am being mindful of my own physical state, my mental state, and my deeper connection to my soul self. Stillness creates a safe space to nurture that mind/body and soul care. For me it is that opportunity to genuinely recharge my own personal state. I have realized over time how important it is to listen to my mind/body and soul. My markers are if I am overthinking a lot of things, or if I notice myself pushing my body to keep going, even when I recognize that I am physically tired, or by being mindful of how I am tending to my soul. By tending to my soul, I mean am I honouring who I am on a soul level with the choice of daily activities I commit to. Do I choose to do things that I love, or that help me feel good about myself.
Allowing ourselves some space and stillness offers us the opportunity for self-reflection and introspection. It gives us an opportunity to pause and consider whats working for us and whats not, what we need and what we don’t need. The only person that knows best what I need is myself. Over the last few years, I have developed a much deeper understanding of the fact that I am the person who is going to be my best supporter. I know best where I am and how I am feeling. Yes, I can pick other people’s brains about problems I am coping with, and ask for support if I need it, and yet at the heart of what helps me is myself. And my self-awareness and capacity to make time for that.
Stillness and solitude give me that priceless opportunity for introspection and self-reflection. Which then creates another gift to myself which is the opportunity to soothe my soul. To check in with how I am feeling on a soul level. This is not as complicated as I once thought it was. I have grown to understand that nurturing a deeper soul connection is about allowing myself to acknowledge what my passions and loves are. What activities do I enjoy doing most, what activities light me up, what new interests have got me curious and how am I actively making choices to keep myself connected to those passions, loves and curiosities on a regular basis.
Running around in that doing state does not offer space or time to think and reflect on what is going on or what we need. Stillness, slowing down, sitting, walking and just allowing our minds to ponder those important questions of ourselves and what we need is how we build a deeper and stronger connection to the essences of who we each are as individuals.
So why not try this simple 5 step process for “stillness and introspection”. Firstly, simply give yourself 5 minutes, find somewhere that you can do this exercise. You could even do it at your work desk if you needed to. Give this a try.
1. Find a way to slow down, sit down (in the garden, on the train in your local park).
2. Next take 5 slow deep breaths. Next take a moment to reflect on the last 24 hours.
3. Choose what felt difficult for you, acknowledge that experience and then breathe it out, let it go as you exhale.
4. Choose what felt good for you in the last 24 hours, and breathe that in, feel the positive energy of that experience and let it flow through your body as you breathe. Embrace that experience and the energy of it and feel it energize your body.
5. Finally, take some slow deep breaths, acknowledge yourself for taking this time for yourself. Put your hand on your heart and whisper “I’ve got you.”
So think how you might be able to do this simple exercise for yourself over the next few days. What if you made this a regular routine for yourself, what if you showed up for yourself in this way every day. Imagine what a difference that would make for you. There is never any time but the present to get started with nurturing and supporting yourself. Lean in and enjoy the process.
Need somewhere to start in that process. Why not download my free mini reflections e-journal to help you get started. Click here to access the e-journal now.
Until next time
