“Get yourself grounded and you can navigate even the stormiest roads in peace." — Steve Goodier
Our ability to stay grounded in the midst of chaos is often what defines the trajectory of our lives.
When it feels like things are spiraling out of control, it’s easy to lose sight of our values, to become overwhelmed by negative emotions and to make irrational decisions.
Continuing with the topic of habits and ritual in the era of COVID, today I'm sharing what has helped me stay grounded, sane and healthy over the course of the past few months.
1) Keeping a routine
While much has changed in my day to day (some by choice and some out of necessity) a few things have remained constant, which has helped me keep a feeling of normalcy. ⏰ I wake up early I am not a morning person by nature, but I love the feeling of being up while the city is still quiet as well as the sense of accomplishment of finishing half of a normal workday before 11am. ☕ My husband makes me coffee every morning Pre-pandemic days this was tea...but living with a Colombian...it's only a matter of time before one becomes a coffee drinker. 😜 🏋️♀️ I exercise in the afternoon Being that my mornings are reserved for working, I generally exercise in the afternoon. It gives me a needed mental break from work as well as re-energizes me for the remainder of the day. 🐶 We take the dog for a long walk before dinner Pre-pandemic days I walked the dog alone as my husband would generally get home from work late. But with both of us working from home now, this has become an opportunity to spend quality time together, talk about our days and explore new parts of our neighborhood. Below is some graffiti we stumbled upon during one of these walks.
2) Making time for fun
🎲 I schedule game nights I'm a big fan of games of all types. Even though COVID has made it a bit more challenging to do so, my friends and I still find ways to make it possible by using Zoom and apps like Houseparty or, when appropriate, meeting up in the park. 🥎 I play with the dog Bella likes to play! And how can you say no to that face? Even taking just 5 minutes between client calls is enough to not only give me a recharge but to serve as a reminder to not take life so seriously all the time.
3) Expressing gratitude
🙏 Before every meal my husband and I express gratitude for each other We say thank you, we kiss, we eat. It's pretty adorable if you ask me. 😊 📝 I keep a gratitude journal No matter how difficult life can sometimes feel, there is always something to be grateful for. Every morning I write down 3 of these things. 4) Focusing on what I can control 🎯 I always have a goal that I'm working towards Having a goal that puts an emphasis on action rather than outcome (ie "I am going to exercise 3x/week" versus "I am going to lose 10lbs") is a surefire way to focus your energy on the things in your life that you CAN control rather than worrying about what you can't. 📺 I consume with caution I check the news once per day, after dinner, but not too close to bedtime. I limit my time on social media and I un-follow accounts that share content that I find offensive or at minimum that don't provide any value to my life. 🧘♀️ I practice meditation I find breathing and body scan meditations to be most helpful for managing stress and negative emotions. These are two guided meditations that I use often. 3 minute body scan 11 minute body scan
Learning how to stay grounded can be hard, especially when in the midst of chaos.
But as with any other skill, it is one that can be improved upon with deliberate practice.
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