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Despite my greatest efforts, life gets crazy sometimes. And even though I would like to believe that life is steady and that I am in control of things, the opposite is actually true. Circumstances in our lives can change at the drop of a hat. Some times are more challenging than others and during these more trying times it can be easy to lose sight of living life consciously. No one knows this better than I do. I have had many curve balls thrown my way over the years and in the past I would most often go into survival mode. This has taught me the importance of claiming the type of life you feel good living no matter what has been thrown your way! Here are some of the things I do to maintain my conscious connection to a slower, simpler, more old fashioned life no matter what comes along.
1.Keep an old fashioned journal. People of times past recorded the day’s events in a journal. They would include things they did, some current affairs, the weather and maybe who they saw that day. Unlike modern diaries, as a rule they didn’t pour their hearts out and lament the negative experiences they were going through. I do not think there is anything wrong with using a private diary to externalise one’s struggles, but that is not the purpose here. When you can look back at a time that was particularly chaotic and you can read the everyday, mundane happenings it helps to reframe these times in our minds.
2.Go outside.
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Nature is a very powerful, grounding force. Just spending time outside in nature can remind us of the abundance in a slow life. Nature moves at its own pace and everything comes and goes in a natural rhythm. I find that spending time in nature helps me to ”let go” more, and to live in the natural flow that is my life and helps me to relinquish control of the things I actually have no control over anyway.
3.Connect with your loved ones. Modern people have so much that can distract us that when we get stressed out it is common to zone out on social media or to binge watch tv. This can have a much bigger negative effect during particularly trying times. Try to instead connect with your loved ones and maybe even lean on them for support.
4.Keep as many aspects of your daily routine as you can. When things get crazy it can be much harder to maintain a routine. You may have to put some aspects of your daily routine to the side during this time but, by choosing a few things that help you to feel connected to the life you are trying to live can be a powerful anchor. For me, no matter how crazy things get I try my best to maintain my morning routine. If it means that I have to get up an hour earlier then I do that. This is such an important aspect to my day and how I want to live that I make it work!
5.Eat real food.
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When things get crazy often the first thing that goes is our diet. With less time to prep and cook, relying on overly processed foods can become a bit of a crutch. While you really may not have the time to cook from scratch, eating healthily is still possible. Think of whole foods that need little to no prep. Fruit is a perfect fast food, raw veggies take almost no prep time. Even if you just supplement your meals with fresh fruits and veggies your body will thank you!
6.Prioritise sleep. Pretty much any challenge will be easier to bear if you are properly rested. Sleep is so vital for our overall health that we should make it a top priority. You may find that you are so exhausted at the end of the day that you fall into bed but, if you find that your mind spins with overwhelm try to create a bedtime routine. Turn off devices, tvs and computers at least an hour before bed. Abstain from caffeine and stimulating substances after 12 noon. Have a bath or use a soothing essential oil to calm yourself. Try to maintain the same routine nightly as this will train your mind and body that it is time for sleep.
These tips may not be directly reflective of an old fashioned life but they are habits that can help you to maintain the life you are trying to carve out during times that feel less than slow, simple and far from old fashioned. Remember that even though things may be challenging right now, this too shall pass!
With Love, Ellen