New Normal

​Life is always changing. Change is a natural part of life. Change is part of this journey we are on. However, change can leave us feeling overwhelmed + anxious. Particularly when we are powerless to some of the changes that are going on, like the changes right now in the world. 

Change to me is finding a new normal. It’s about finding acceptance for what is; letting go of control of the future; feeling present; + reminding myself that I’ve got this + that I’m strong enough to deal with what changes may come.
 
If we resist change, it stops us from being mindful + in the moment. We’re buried in a suffocating vortex of being stuck in the past or anxiously worrying about the future. No one in the world has any control of controlling the past or future. If we can surrender to that idea, it frees up so much energy to bring us into the present moment.
 
When life throws us a curve ball, (like the one we’re all going through right now) finding this acceptance +  a new normal really helps me to cope + deal + even embrace changes.
 
So here’s some tips that have helped me + I hope inspire you.
 
BE GENTLE
GO GENTLY WITH YOURSELF.  IT’S OKAY TO NOT FEEL OKAY RIGHT NOW. IT’S OKAY TO FEEL OVERWHELMED + ANXIOUS. YOU ARE ENOUGH + YOU’RE DOING ENOUGH RIGHT NOW. SO BE GENTLE WITH YOUR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, BODY + MIND.
 
FIND A NEW NORMAL
THIS IS WHERE YOGA IS REALLY PLAYING A PART IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW. THE CALM, PEACE, SURRENDER + ACCEPTANCE THAT WE CREATE ON THE MAT IS NEEDED RIGHT NOW. WE CAN’T CONTROL WHAT IS HAPPENING BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR REACTION. WE CAN CHOOSE (OR WORK ON CHOOSING) TO ACCEPT THAT THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW + CHOOSE TO REACT WITH ACCEPTANCE, PEACE + CALM.
 
DAILY ROUTING
GET A NEW DAILY ROUTINE – WHETHER YOU’RE WORKING OR NOT, GET A ROUTINE GOING. PARTICULARLY IF YOU’RE FEELING OVERWHELMED + ANXIOUS AS THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN’T CONTROL RIGHT NOW BUT ROUTINE IS SOMETHING WE CAN CONTROL + HUMANS LOVE ROUTINE.
 
ROUTINE TIPS
•          WAKE UP AT THE SAME TIME
•          AVOID CHECKING YOUR PHONE (PUT IT ON AEROPLANE MODE IF YOU’RE TEMPTED TO LOOK AT IT)
•          HAVE A CUP OF TEA/COFFEE/WATER
•          MEDITATE + JOURNAL (GET THOSE EMOTIONS OUT!)
•          MOVE – YOGA OR WORKOUT
•          WORK (IF YOU’RE NOT WORKING RIGHT NOW, WORK ON LEARNING SOMETHING NEW)
•          BREAK WITH SOME FORM OF MOVEMENT
•          LUNCH + CHILL
•          BACK TO IT!
•          FINISH WORKING/LEARNING
•          WORKOUT/YOGA (IF YOU’RE FEELING ANXIOUS I RECOMMEND DOING YIN OR SOMETHING MORE RESTORATIVE TO CALM THE NERVOUS SYSTEM)
 
HOLD SPACE
THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY TO FEEL. NO GOOD OR BAD. HOLD SPACE FOR YOUR FEELINGS + EMOTIONS THROUGH MEDITATION/JOURNALLING OR TALKING TO SOMEONE.
 
MOVEMENT
TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY WITH MOVEMENT THAT YOU LOVE! DO IT BECAUSE YOU LOVE + RESPECT YOUR BODY, NOT BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU “SHOULD” OR TO PUNISH YOURSELF.
 
LEARN
IS THERE SOMETHING YOU’VE BEEN WANTING TO LEARN BUT NEVER HAD THE TIME? NOW’S THE TIME! GET CREATIVE – YOUR MIND WILL LOVE IT.
 
SPACES
IF YOU’RE WORKING FROM HOME, IF IT’S POSSIBLE, CREATE A SEPARATE SPACE TO WORK. CAN YOU ALSO CREATE A CALM SPACE IN YOUR HOME? SOMEWHERE THAT MAKES YOU FEEL PEACEFUL? SOMEWHERE YOU CAN RETREAT TO IF YOU’RE FEELING ANXIOUS? IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE SPACE, THIS COULD BE THROUGH A SOOTHING PLAYLIST OR THE SMELL OF YOUR FAVOURITE CANDLES OR OILS.
 
MINDFULNESS
USE THIS TIME TO BE MORE MINDFUL. TO MEDITATE. TO LISTEN TO YOUR MIND. TO LISTEN TO YOUR SOUL. TO GET LOST IN DANCING. TO GET LOST IN MUSIC. TO BE MINDFUL WHEN EATING. BE MINDFUL WITH WHAT YOU CONSUME.
 
TECHNOLOGY
IT’S SOOO EASY TO GET LOST IN A SOCIAL MEDIA VORTEX – BE MINDFUL WITH WHAT YOU’RE CONSUMING. IF THE NEWS IS MAKING YOU ANXIOUS, TRYING CHECKING IN ONCE A DAY RATHER THAN ALL DAY.
 
CONNECTION
STAY CONNECTED WITH FRIENDS + LOVED ONES. WE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO CONNECT PHYSICALLY RIGHT NOW BUT STAY CONNECTED THROUGH THE MANY WAYS THAT WE CAN!
 
IT’S OKAY TO DO NOTHING 
IT’S TOTALLY OKAY TO DO NOTHING. ALLOW YOURSELF TIME TO CHILL + RELAX. YOU DON’T NEED TO BE DOING ALL THE TIME! SO BALANCE IT OUT BETWEEN DOING + BEING. OWN THAT BEING TIME!!!
 
REACH OUT
IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING, REACH OUT. WE MIGHT BE GOING THROUGH THIS TOGETHER, BUT OUR EMOTIONS OUR OWN + WE DEAL WITH THINGS DIFFERENTLY. IT’S OKAY IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW. REACH OUT, LET SOMEONE KNOW.
 
I HOPE THAT THOSE TIPS HELP + INSPIRE YOU DURING THIS CHALLENGING + DIFFICULT TIME.
 
AND REMEMBER, YOU’VE TOTALLY GOT THIS.
 
SENDING YOU ALL LOVE, LIGHT + STRENGTH
 
CAROLINE XOXO