I'm writing this journal piece out in my courtyard, very early on a beautiful warm clear morning, and it almost seems as if it's just me and the birds who are awake, and the rest of the city is in a restful (or hungover, perhaps!) slumber. It's new years day, 1st January 2021, after a very quiet and gentle close to the year. No big celebration. No big new year intentions. I'm a non-drinker these days, so most celebrations are quieter, for me. I chose to be very low-key and close the door on this year, and just gently open it to the next. Today. I've been finding so much more so, through not only this year, but other times of uncertainty and change over the past years in my life (or perhaps just as I'm getting older!) - how much I savour a quiet and gentle life. I notice that I make far more conscious and intentional choices, just as a natural way of being now, every day. Taking things as they come, allowing life to unfold and to evolve as it will, with an acceptance of just what is, and finding ease and calm within it all. I was reflecting on some of the gentle practices that support me with this, and I thought I'd share some of these thoughts here, as a gentle way to begin your new year.
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I think it's true that happy, successful people have healthy routines in their days. Whatever happy and successful, personally means to you. Despite circumstances and situations, we can always benefit from healthy habits that support us to feel well. I don't ever compare myself to others these days. Happiness and success to me, is how I truly feel within myself, and ways I create and set intentions, to live my days in all the best ways I can. It's my own self responsibility to create happiness and success for myself, and to consciously and intentionally choose healthy ways of being, for my everyday. Having a healthy routine, helps with our whole wellbeing. If this is the only new year intention or goal you set yourself, then this is a great one to choose! Follow these 16 ways I've written below, and create some of your own that nurture and cultivate happiness and success, in ways that feel truly aligned for you. I promise there are only benefits from doing so.
I have a beautiful corgi and she's 16 years old. Many people say she doesn't look it, and still, some days she doesn't act it either! But other days, as she is very old now, and she sadly has what the vet tells me is the animal version of dementia, she can forget where she is. It's a rollercoaster ride of emotions in a dogs elderly years, our bond is so very close. I often imagine what it must feel like to be her, and I wonder if she knows she gets confused or disorientated, as most of the time, she still seems really happy. I always tell myself, that this is my hope and heart intention, that she always knows how much she matters, that she feels loved, that she has the best life possible for as long as she chooses to, and that she knows in her own way, that we will always do what is best for her.
Mattering matters. Feeling that you matter to someone, within a community, and as part of this world. It's fundamental to health and wellbeing. I did a podcast episode on this topic a little while back, if you choose to listen in. And I thought I'd write a journal piece too, as it's something that feels important to express from my heart, as a few vulnerable yet honest reflections, through this year.
This is a reality for us all at certain times of our lives. We find ourselves 'here' and we may want to be 'there'- and instead of allowing things to be, or to unfold, and to trust in the so-called 'timing of life', we can feel frustrated, sad, and even anxious that we just aren't 'there'. I thought I'd share an experience of my own through this year, and how I've changed my way of being within this space between, in a more positive way.
Something that inspires creativity for me, is writing something every day. It might be with pen and paper, and just making notes of things that come to mind. It might be writing in my journal, in the mornings, or after a meditation practice. It might be writing a blog piece, like this, and just showing up, each day. I know that I always feel my best when I am in a creative flow. And despite whatever my experience or circumstance, or however I feel, I love to hold an intention for myself, to be consistent with a writing practice, every day. It means that I don't feel stuck, or pressured, or fall back into a tendency for things to be perfect before sharing. Consistency helps to stop any of those blocks or unhelpful ways of thinking, or being. So I just write, as my creative outlet, as I love to let the words flow onto a page, and it helps me feel ease and calm, and to uplift my spirits, in my everyday.
I know there are many of us who are spending this christmas time, or holiday season alone. This is true every year for many, but even more so, this year, in these uncertain and difficult times. I just wanted to share a little support from my heart to yours, if you are feeling lonely or alone, and hope you might feel some comfort in these words.
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AuthorKatie Jane is a Holistic Therapist, Life Coach, Health Coach, Nutritionist, Naturopath, Meditation teacher, writer and author. Katie has been working in the wellness industry for over 15 years, in private practice and online, and brings all of these qualifications and skills, along with her own lived experiences through challenges, changes and transitions. Her approach to life and wellbeing is truly holistic and unique for each individual. She supports and coaches clients to make powerful changes, to feel calm through uncertainty and change, to embrace self care as a way of being, and to thrive through life transitions. |