Whilst I was away in Palma last week I took the opportunity to take some time out to write in my journal and give myself the headspace to make plans for September and the coming months. Things have been incredibly busy over the last couple of months and I’ve got out of a lot of the habits that I know help my happiness, health and general wellbeing. I really want to focus now on being happy, healthy and forming positive routines – this year has been a difficult one and whilst it’s tempting to hide in my bed as much as possible, I know that there are several things that keep me on track and I’m determined to stick with them.
Yoga yoga yoga
I have barely done any yoga lately, and I really notice the difference in both my flexibility and sense of calm. I’ve found a yoga studio that’s a relatively short walk from the house and I’m going to try and go to classes a couple of times a week. I also really want to get back to doing yoga at home – I started the day with a Yoga With Adriene video yesterday and I felt so much better for it all day. I think it’s such a good habit to get into just to take some time for you on the mat.
Go to the gym
Oops. This is another thing I haven’t done for around two months and I’m massively noticing the difference. I’ve joined a gym near the new house and I must, must, must force my bum there and get myself into shape. I’ve lost a lot of confidence about my body recently and I need to stop whinging and do something about it.
Meditation every day
I’ve just downloaded the Calm app as well as using the Headspace app – the one thing I really like about Calm is that you get a new audio every day which is part meditation and part reflection on life. I feel like I’ve been more anxious and worrying lately and I know that meditation is one thing that really helps me from letting my busy brain get out of control.
Listen to hypnotherapy audio
About three weeks ago I visited a hypnotherapist after hearing about Rapid Transformational Therapy on the Jess Lively Podcast. I wanted to overcome some of my confidence issues and limiting beliefs and it was a really interesting session that I think I’ll blog about separately. The hypnotherapist gave me a recording to listen to every day to talk me through some of the work we did in the session and I need to be dedicated in listening to it so it can make an impact.
Reduce alcohol
I spent a week in Palma last week for a hen do, and whilst I had the most amazing time (take me back immediately pls), I did notice how the daily prosecco by the pool made me feel pretty terrible the next day; both health and mental health-wise. Does anyone else suffer with ‘hangxiety’ or ‘the hungover blues’? I know alcohol is a depressant and since I’m trying to work on getting into a more positive headspace and being more in control of my emotions, it makes sense to try and avoid the things that make this more difficult.
Use mantras and affirmations
When I find my busy brain racing out of control (usually in the middle of the night) I get a lot out of using mantras and affirmations to repeat to myself to calm me down. I also write these in my journal so that I can remember them and look back on the ones that helped. The most simple one I go to when I really need to slow my brain down is ‘om’. It’s an ancient Sanskrit word traditionally used in meditation (you can read more about the meaning of the word here). If I am getting too wrapped up in the past I repeat to myself ‘I choose to enjoy my life now’ (I borrowed this from Jen Sincero’s book, You Are A Badass). I also enjoy anything that teaches me to let go and relax, and allow things to be as they are and trust what is coming.
Eat more plants
Where things have been busy lately, my diet has been really poor and I’ve almost entirely stopped eating vegetables and green things, favouring convenience over nutrition. I know I feel better when I eat lots of veggies (and less sugar – sorry Milkybar Buttons, we’ve become a bit too close recently) and so I want to whip up some batches of yummy foods to take for lunch so I feel more prepared and don’t end up buying sandwiches and crisps from the Co-Op.
Finish online courses
I signed up for about five online courses with qualifications from Centre of Excellence recently but I’ve been a bit slack with actually completing them. I want to start gaining some extra skills and knowledge to set me up for the future so I need to knuckle down and get them done. I’m only 40% of the way through my Diploma in Wicca, it’s so interesting!
Read more books
I say this all the time, but reading is a habit I know I love that I’m so bad at keeping up with. Instead of reading I lie in bed, scroll through Twitter and instagram and then go to sleep. I worked out before my holiday that I had 41 books on my Kindle that I’m desperate to read, so I really need to knuckle down and start ticking them off.
Run more
I really miss running, I think my last run must have been about two months ago too. I need to be more disciplined with it and force myself out on a couple of mornings a week, I have no excuses not to, especially in the periods I have Bodhi as I can run with him as I’m out anyway (except for when he wants to stop and sniff everything!)
Use airplane mode or Forest app
I hate the amount that I use my phone and I really want to distance myself from it and focus on all of the things above over the coming weeks and months. I’ve discovered this brilliant app called Forest where you set a period of time you don’t want to use your phone for, and it starts growing a virtual plant for you. If you use your phone during that period the plant dies, if you don’t it adds it to your virtual forest! It’s a fun way to get more disciplined about having some space from your phone.
What are your plans and intentions for September?
