Dear Darling,
Do you know how things just show up just when you need them? This happened recently when I heard the familiar ding on my phone and thought “I don’t have time… I’m making the bed… have to hop on a conference call… make breakfast … dear Lord in heaven NOT ANOTHER TEXT TO ANSWER!”
But thank goodness I stopped and looked at this one because I may sound melodramatic (who me?!) but it has literally shifted my mindset and mood over the past few days.
It was a Ted Talk (you can access it here) about how this fast-paced world is literally keeping us stuck in a vicious cycle of coffee, rushing, alcohol, and minimal or mixed-up sleep.
Now I don’t know about you but if I don’t get my beauty sleep I simply feel off the next day… and when I feel off it’s like a cascade of other things that happen like candy corn, chips, and dip, Dot’s Honey Mustard Pretzels… need I say more?!
What I love about Dr. Libby’s Ted Talk is she explains that all this rushing around and intense exercising could actually be preventing weight loss and calm. FINALLY… a hall pass from the Burn Bootcamp my niece has invited me to!
The past year and a half has turned many of you upside down and inside out and with so many differing opinions on everything under the sun, choices to make about your children and jobs… am I the only one who is Zoomed out????
Gone are the days when you had a break from the landline phone while at the grocery store, on the way to work, or for the weekend. Can anyone remember what it felt like to take a long weekend skiing or to the beach and never once be on the phone except for a quick call from the hotel payphone???
Our lovely little bodies and magnificent minds are being overloaded and over-stressed so it’s no wonder that what we think, eat, and drink are a bit shall we say out of control?!
The other night as I slipped into slumber I noticed the chorus of voices in my head… “write the blog tomorrow, don’t forget to pick up dog food, why was so and so rude today, did I pay the dog walker, oh shoot I forgot to call so and so back….” and I have to tell you it was fascinating to step out of myself and watch as these voices swirled around and around.
It’s as if our poor minds are like twisted little dish rags by end of day.
Let’s not forget the eating and drinking part. When our minds are swirling with overwhelm it’s easy to fall into habits like mindless grazing and the nightly wine simply out of habit.
So my dear friends I am calling for a REVOLUTION! Gather up your strength and courage to take back your power through what you feed your mind, body, and soul.
Cut down your to-do list.
Instead of talking about meditating… do it (who me?)
Try something new like Tai Chi… I tried it yesterday and I must say it put me in a relaxed state for the majority of the day especially as I “chi walked” through the market looking a bit zoned out in a good way š
Read the books on your nightstand and leave the laptop and Netflix outside of the bedroom ( again.. who? me???)
Go to bed 30 minutes earlier… without a phone nearby.
Try your errands this weekend… wait for it… without your phone! I know, it may feel like a part of your sou is missing but you can do it!
Replace your nightly wine with any one of the amazing mocktails you can find on Google, Pinterest, or Instagram. My favorite quick mocktail is mineral water, 1 teaspoon rose water, 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Delish!
Play around with new recipes. I LOVEĀ chef Max La Manna’s plant-based recipes. Easy, quick, and full of flavor. His buttermilk pancakes and his tofu noodle stir fry are DIVINE.
In a foul mood? Go back to the attitude store in your mind and buy a new one for the day!
Have afternoon tea just for fun. Make it special with your favorite mug or teacup and why not a cute little cucumber sandwich to tide us over until supper?
Essentially, we must become WELLNESS WARRIORS in this chaotic world with what we choose to think, eat, and drink so that we can experience the contentment and calm we desire so deeply.
Sending you much love,
EE
