Here in New Zealand we just moved down to Level 3 lockdown. This means we can extend our ‘bubble’ very slightly and go for walks away from our home (but only up to 45km away) We can get takeaways too (tonight!) Going to the beach is now exciting and represents some kind of renewed freedom.

Seeing my husband’s parents for dinner last night was like returning home to spirit. The warmth and care of loving family, a cosy fire and special food was classic soul balm. I experienced surprise tears about the relief of a reconnection and another wave of grief for what I’d lost moving through my system. A warm embrace was so precious! These small changes after such loss are so easy to be grateful for. Hearts are opening in level 3!

​The shops are still closed, there’s still queues at supermarkets and people are still wearing masks and giving one another a wide berth. My family therapist husband is still Zooming at home and our 14yo is still doing online school work and gaming with his friends. Yet despite all of that being able to see new landscapes, eat different food in a different place with different loved ones and see the ocean after so long is like a much-needed holiday for the senses. Small joys are grand joys at this time.
 
I recently commented on a post asking about what changes we could make now we are in Level 3. I have expanded a little on my ‘off the cuff’ reply.
 
1. Do intelligent research away from mainstream media.

2. Consider the truth that Love heals fear.

3. Get healthier. Don’t put poison in your body.

4. Trust your bodies immune system – it knows how to take care of you.

5. Get well. ‘Normal’ bad health means compromised immunity just like the big dis-eases do.

6. Slow down enough to listen and act on your inner knowing.

7. Walk and cycle as much as we were in Level 4.

8. Prioritise health and connection over money.

9. Grow your own poison free food.

10. Move away from unnecessary travel. Less planes and cruise ships = more peaceful oceans, skies, animals and less pollution via fuel, noise and care-less vibes.

11. Bring on vulnerability. Too much control of one’s emotions is sickening to the body and doesn’t promote healthy connection to one another.
 
We need greater kindness towards ourselves and each other. We need stronger bodies. We also need to remember that we are powerful beyond measure. We mustn’t give our power (life-force energy/spirit) away to anyone else. Be smart. Trust your heart knowledge.
 
Wishing you an easeful transition out of lockdown.
 
with light
Dawn
 


Photo by Nadia Jamnik on Unsplash

 

Settling down into lockdown has been quite a process. In New Zealand we are close to 2 weeks in. It’s taken that long for me to finally slow down. The early drama of it all had me watching mainstream news with a glass of anxiety-settling wine, talking covid19 semi-fulltime, juggling space so our family could all do online calls at once, cooking amazing meals (who else has had their grocery bill sky-rocket?!), cleaning random things, navigating Zoom group events as well as my one on one client sessions, baking and excessive social media. I extended my yoga practise and started walking around my block every morning. Phew. After a week of that I was exhausted!

Finding ourselves in an unusual new normal takes some adjustment. I’m reminded of a meme I related to about it being ok to not be productive during a global pandemic. What does it take for us to slow down and be present? If we can’t do it at this time we certainly will struggle in ‘normal’ (?) life post lockdown.

When we slow right down and ignore the ego-should-voice we are taking our power back from habitual belief patterns and fears that keep us away from our true nature. Keeping busy and productive can come from an aligned place if you have the energy, passion and intuitive-calling. To know if you do you must check in with your body, emotions, thoughts and maybe even your spirit, and that requires presence. Our habits can rule us if we are not self-aware.

We have been given a great opportunity to create a new routine that aligns with our personal needs in current time. I’m still cooking, but it’s only when I’m creatively compelled – my family all got their own dinner last night which was a relief. Binge cleaning has stopped. Extra yoga is staying. I’ve spaced my work out to accommodate the loud calling for rest I was hearing. Walking every morning is staying too. I am not picking up my phone all.the.time anymore. My new normal now includes daily self-kindness check-ins, more alone time and dancing.

What needs adjustment in your lockdown life for your physical body to feel happier? Is it movement or stillness?
Ideas: walking, dancing, yoga, rest, naps, being curled up with blankets, self-massage, baths, vitamins, less alcohol, lying on the earth, deep breathing, bouncing, body-honouring sex, more water, less food, different food.

What does your emotional self need?
Ideas: Hugs (self-hugs too!), video calls with friends or family, breathing, journaling how you feel, being heard (who can hold space to listen to you?) being outside with the trees and flowers, connecting with your animals, to just let feelings flow, essential oils.

What does your mental self need?
Ideas: Less social media, less research/more research, more fiction/more non-fiction, meditation (rest those thoughts!) journaling to unload all that stuff out of your head, lists/less lists, games, intelligent movies/shows or calming/easy tv, new projects/no projects, people on the same wave-length as you to talk to, boundaries with those who are not.

What does your spiritual self need?
Ideas: Nature, spiritual retreat time, cards, candles, prayer, meditation, channeling, journaling, time alone.
I’d love to hear your ideas too.
 
Wishing you a time of self-connection
 
With light
Dawn


​Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

 I'm writing from my desk on day 5 of lockdown in New Zealand. Like many people I know I am enjoying being home with my family, but it did take a few days for my husband and I to get on the same page. We were struggling with habitual defences that were stopping us from accessing deeper feelings that this experience was triggering. Once we worked that out, we were able to cry, connect and support one another.

Shock about life suddenly changing is what many people are still needing to ground down from. Acting and reacting from an ungrounded place makes loving connection difficult. I've noticed people attempting to maintain control via blame and judgement. Rumination and worry are also common right now. When we stop our addictions (the things we use, consume or do to avoid our feelings) and trying to control our self or others we can settle back into our body. From there we can notice how we are actually feeling and, if we are brave enough, allow that emotion expression. Sadness, shock and grief are congruent emotions at such a time. If we allow these feelings  to surface we are able to shift into a lighter space. Then we can practise loving kindness towards ourselves and others at this unusual and challenging time.

After a few days of processing shock as well as working out how we can all work online in video calls (sometimes 3 of us at once!) my family began to ease into a new way of life. I’m making yummy healthy food I hadn’t made time for pre-lockdown. I’m cleaning things I hadn’t noticed were dirty and enjoying the results. We’re cosying up as family (with 2 cats) to cry and laugh over Netflix at random times. My yoga practise has expanded, I have time for online courses, I’m walking from home every day and I'm reading and writing. I could happily do all of this for a long time! 

It’s not like this for everyone though. I’m aware many people are struggling with financial issues, loneliness, health concerns and fear for our future. Now, more than ever before we must not let fear consume us. We must stay strong in our mind to stay well in our body. Humanity is in this together. As a collective we can create something new together with Love.
​
For a long time now, collectively, people have bought into fear. Fear of dying, fear of strangers, fear of financial ruin and fear of foreign people taking over our countries to name just a few. Fear is a contagious dis-ease that weakens our energy field (that means it affects your mind and body too!) It lowers our vibration and rocks our stability. When we are weak with fear, we are susceptible to invasion and control. Think bullies, control freaks and viruses.

If we are able to rise above fear ourselves, we can be a light for others. Go beneath anxiety, feel the emotions, stop ruminating, work your boundaries and remember there is a higher plan unfolding and things will change. Our planet is getting a much-needed rest and so are we. Use this time wisely. Rest, read, breathe, really see your family, love big, create and trust the universe really does have your back.
 
Wishing you strength and wellness on every level.
 
With light
Dawn