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 recently had a virus get me. "Get me" -- that's funny but it IS an invasion. Creepy little virus energy sneaking around in my body. I believe they attack us when our boundaries are weak, which mine had been. Too much letting others stuff get to me.
 
Being unwell stopped my 'shoulds' from taking over which was a good thing and a challenging thing. I danced between overthinking and loving self-care. Now that I'm dressed and working again I want to ponder on who I am now that I'm 5 months into 2019.  Am I in alignment with my Higher Self?
 
You may want to contemplate these things too. It's easy to do what we've always done. We are such habitual creatures. We often forget that we are changing and growing. In fact, we are a new person every single day. 

What 'shoulds' are you up to?
Do they actually align with who you are now?
Who are you now that we are 5 months into 2019?
What is new about who you are?
What is still hanging around you getting in the way?
 
For me – some boundary issues to sort. My inner child gets triggered and if I'm not mindful I can forget I even have a Higher Self.

How about a check-list for you to see if you are in alignment with your own Higher Self?
 
Is this you:
 
You're rushing.
Feeling impatient.
Feeling tired or drained.
Blaming or judging (It's an unhealthy way of getting power)
You're comparing.
You're stuck in habits that don't serve you.
You're over analysing.
You're pushing yourself to do more.
You're feeling frustrated.

Or are you more in this vibe:
 
You feel on purpose.
You're able to hear your intuition.
You feel happy and sometimes even joyful.
You have a sense of being grounded in your body.
You enjoy what you're doing.
There is ease and flow.
You are not attached to outcomes.
You feel appreciation.
If you're wanting to come into greater alignment with your Higher Self the first thing you need to do is connect to your body. It's from this grounded place that we know what our needs are. It's hard to tune in to self-care stuff like rest, food, sleep, water, how much space we need etc. when we're disconnected from our body. Too much doing and too much thinking will unground you.
 
It's from a body centred place that we're able to hear our inner knowing. When we're over-thinking there's no room for the quiet voice of intuition. This wise inner counsel will guide you to your next steps.
 
Are you sad to discover you've been out of alignment for too long? Recovery catch up is needed, some chill time where your mind is free to relax. Play, rest, nature, movement and care will help you realign to yourself. I had a beautiful healing walk on our local beach yesterday. Still water, spacious vibe, sand and sea, dogs playing. Ahhh, coming down into my body. Happiness returning.
 
Flow and ease comes when we're connected to our Self. Look out for signs of being out of alignment and kindly and gently come back to yourself.

 
wishing you self-connection
 
with light
Dawn
 



Image by Sestrijevitovschii - ina