Mercury is still in retrograde until this Sunday, the 19th, and I've been encountering some communication issues as well as being asked to sign some sketchy contracts at the day job! Any one else feel the effects of our communication planet being a little wonky? (totally a technical term-lol)

I'm always reminded during this time the importance of self-care. As someone who runs a business and works a full time job--while also trying to maintain a social life--I'm a pretty busy person. Mercury Retrograde also reminds me that I need time to step back and reflect. I'm also reminded that I need to schedule that time so I don't overbook myself and feel myself burn out. I'm assuming I'm not alone here? 

So let's talk self-care... 

​I know I preach on and on about the importance, but it is something I truly believe we need to spend more time thinking about. We are busy people in a time that promotes being busy as doing well. However if we are always "busy", when do we have time to check in and see if we are actually enjoying this thing called life? When do we have time to reflect on our choices and even our busy-ness? How do we know if we actually enjoy the "busy" if we do not schedule time to notice?

One of my favorite self-care options is to sit and journal. Bonus points for a cup of tea or fancy coffee. (Interested in my Daily Journal Practice?) Journalling can be a quick scribble to get those thoughts running around your head into some sort of organized fashion or you can spend a bit more time contemplating--perhaps on the "busy". If that's the case maybe one of these journal prompts will get you started:
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• What have I done in the last week that has felt "Right" or made my authentic self light up?
• When was the last time I spent time alone? What did I do and did I enjoy it?
• When was my last "day off" and what did I do to check in with myself?
• Or when is my NEXT "day off" and how WILL I check in with my self?
• How often do I schedule time for myself and what are some things I can do during that time?

Looking for tips on that last one? I truly believe that self-care doesn't have to be a day long event at a spa--however it would nice every now an then!--but can be a simple ritual that only takes a few minutes to reconnect with yourself. Some ideas include:

• Meditation/Pranayama (breath work)
• Yoga - solo or attend a class/workshop
• Pull an oracle card and give yourself a few minutes to think about the meaning. 
• Put on some music and dance (like no one is watching).
• Take a bath (bonus points for bath salts and essential oils)
• Call a friend and chat.
• Journal!
• Put a dab of essential oil under your nose and on your wrists.
• Cook yourself a nice meal. 
• Take a nap.
• Read a book.
• Draw, paint, doodle. Create something.
• Pet your cat/dog/bird/fish/etc. Cuddle time FTW.

These are just some of the many ideas out there. I'm sure every blogger/person has their own list. 
Self-Care doesn't have to be a long drawn out process, but just some time to check in and make sure your cup is full before you try to pour from an empty one. 

Hoping the rest of your Mercury Retrograde is reflective and full of self-love.

- Jenn Rose

P.S. - I am not sponsored by DoTerra, I just like them!

​Do you journal?

When I was younger I wrote in my diary every night before bed. As I got older I stopped writing because I was "busy". Anyone else?

I'm super excited to have reconnected with this practice. I always find journalling a calming experience and helps me to focus my mind on the "good stuff".
 
So let's take a peak at my daily journal...

Of course, I always include the date (Month, Day, Year), but I also like to add in the moon phase and the weather. Looking back at old journals, I notice that the weather and the moon phase can affect my mood as well as what I write about! If it's a rainy, dreary day I might spend some more time "finding the good"--more on that later! (Ladies, I also include my cycle since it tends to ALSO affect my mood.) 

During my recent Wellness Within: Mini Retreat at Zennergy Studios we all chose a feeling or mood we wanted to embrace for the year. I chose "flow" and "ease". ​
"Ease" and "Flow", but NOT to be small or less than I am. That is NOT Flow, nor is it Ease.

I also do not want to "go with the flow", but to feel ease while flowing on my own unique path in life. Accepting the things I can't change and standing up for my ideas. 

Flow is sticking to my truth. Flow is movement towards my ideal day. Flow is feeling good in the now.

Ease is accepting what I can't change and choosing how I react. Ease is being able to be my authentic self EVERY where. Not hiding behind what society thinks I SHOULD be.  ​

Flow and Ease allow abundance and gratitude to enter my life. I embrace my personality, religion, body, and truly LOVE it all JUST the way it is. I manifest what I put out there and choose to accept all things with flow and ease. 

It's a new year and there's a new moon this week! Tonight at 9:17 PM EST, actually. So let's check in on those New Year's resolutions?! ​

Right around now, we're starting to lose steam on our resolutions. We go strong with the #NewYearVibes for the first couple weeks and then we start to miss chocolate, Netflix etc. Slowly slipping into our usual behaviors. 

Let's let the new moon give us a quick boost as we check back in with ourselves! Remind yourself WHY you made that resolution in the first place. ​
Before the New moon goes direct, ​set aside some time for... you guessed it. Some time with your journal! Grab a cup of tea and work through these questions:

1. What is your current New Year's Resolution?

2. WHY do you want to commit to that?

3. How will you FEEL if you commit to that resolution?

4. What is not currently working in your favor to commit to that goal?
​
5. What can you change to commit to your goal?

At the end of this practice you'll have nailed down what obstacles are in your way.

Want to amp up your intentions with a little plant magic? Write down the obstacles you discovered on a bay leaf. Then in a safe place, burn that bay leaf. Bay leaves are a great cleansing agent; allowing you to make room for those new changes you are committing to.

Happy New Moon, my friends.
​- Jenn Rose

(Photo by Giulia Bertelli on Unsplash)

I also made sure to schedule in some solo reflection time. As the end of the year rapidly approaches I always feel better if I can get myself setup for success in the new year. This means journaling on past experiences, really checking in on those goals I set months ago and determining what comes next.
Do you have a practice like this? I'd love to hear about it. 

If not, here are some journaling prompts that can get you started:

What Achievements did you accomplish this year?
(Give yourself some love! These ARE a big deal.)

What Goals did you complete?

What goals didn't you complete? WHY?
(Don't forget the why! This will help you plan for future goals.)

What are you looking forward to in 2018?

How do you want to feel in 2018?

What steps can you take to feel that way?

Hold on to your hats, I'm going to throw in some astrology here!