We are certainly living in interesting times, friends and while I'm not going to talking about the virus I do want to talk about maintaining your balance, checking in with your center and gifting yourself the time you need for self-care! Right now, more than ever we need to focus on keeping ourselves healthy and happy as much as possible, whether you're currently working from home for the first time or on the front lines. Keeping a routine self-care check in will help now and in the future once we've put all this behind us. 

When the going gets tough and I forget who I am, one of my go-to's is always meditation. While I believe there is a meditation style for everyone, you may just have to try a few to find what resonates with it. I find it's similar to the different styles of yoga; not everyone is into a Hot Power Flow style class and maybe a Yin yoga class is more your jam. I'm here to say to each their own style of yoga and meditation. 

One of my favorite styles of meditation is often called "mindfulness". This concept is growing more and more since it allows you to connect to something you see, hear, feel and use your senses to meditate. Depending on your definition of mediation this may or may not be your personal preference, but I believe that meditation is a concentrated focus either on a visualization, something physical or on a concept. With that in mind if running works that for you, then it's also a form of meditation. 

The self-care industry has really gone head first into essential oils and I for one am all for it. I utilize essential oils in my day to day life for many purposes, but one I tend to forget about it stress relief. So let's make a pact together that when the going gets tough, we reach for the good stuff! ha ha

Obviously I mean good quality oils... but I digress.
​The point is something so simple as smelling or applying a scent could totally change your day around. 

My first go to for stress relief is always going to be Lavender. The soothing scents as you may already know are great for sleep, peaceful feelings and calm vibes. I'd have to second this. I prefer to put a little lavender on my wrists and on the back of my neck when the going gets tough. However my favorite use is to put a couple drops on my pillow before crawling into bed after a long day. #instantcalm

Sometimes I think there's a reason we tend to get sick during the wintery months; other than the bitter cold air. It's a time that we are forced inside and for good reason! It's time to look inward and reconnect to your intuition. Gift yourself time to rest so you can reflect, refine and redefine your life. 

As we draw close to the end of another year I'm excited for all the things that 2020 will bring; the new adventures, inspirations and growth. Looking back at these photo blogs each year stir up thoughts on why I chose each image and TBH I'm really enjoying it.

Would love to know if you make one of these too or if you have other end of year rituals.
So without further ado, my Gala Darling inspired photo reflection of 2019...

​2019  SUMMARIZED IN ONE PICTURE…

First up, It's been a while and a whirlwind.
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So much has been happening in my day to day that I haven't been able to keep up a regular blog schedule; which should be a reminder to check in with my priorities/goals before I became overwhelmed! Needless to say the Universe replays messages until we get them and if we learn to lean into the seasons we're about to learn how good it feels to let go of things just like the leaves on the trees. 

Sitting with the Seasons is a concept I've been toying with for some time. Autumn is such a good example of this concept. I'm all about feeling the vibes of the seasons and Fall is about letting go. We often know we should let go of things when they no fit, are useful, etc. However, I find it's often the memories associated with that thing/pattern that we have a hard time releasing. 

This is where the trees can teach us a thing or two. ​

I've always liked to write and while I love my blog, there's just something beautiful and magical seeing your own handwriting on paper. Growing up I kept a diary to help process my thoughts and keep track of those exciting moments. Now-a-days I see my journal work as a key component of my self-care practice. ​

​How, you ask? Check out these four different ideas on how to use your journal for self-care.