Less is more: September update
How are you?
As the weeks in lockdown roll on, I find myself sitting with increasingly contradictory emotions.
There are moments that floor me with wonder. Times of utter contentment. Warm days eating lunch in the backyard, basking in the sun with a satisfied belly. This IS the life, I think.
Then later, walking with mask affixed, petty irritations creep in. Contentment replaced with frustration.
The wonderful thing about being human is we can accommodate two or more opposing feelings, even at the same time. We can be both engaged and disengaged, happy and unhappy, inspired and bored. Sitting with contradictions has become my new hobby, accepting all the feelings, without becoming fixated or attached to one or the other.
My lockdown ritual
Watching the sunset has become my most enduring lockdown ritual. Sitting on our tiny balcony watching the sun go down is my prompt to acknowledge gratitude.
I’m grateful for the discovering another patch of magnificent wisteria in a laneway, the cacophony of rainbow lorikeets squawking overhead, or whatever deliciousness ended up in my belly.
As the sun goes down I’m not thinking of today’s irritations or feeding my lizard brain with concerns. I’m in the moment, with eyes on the horizon. Sometimes there’s a spectacular show of peach and crimson, or just a fleeting hint of gold. Every sunset is different, with only their impermanence in common.
Have you developed any healthful rituals through this time?
Three of the best right now
- How’s your mental load? What is it and how to lighten the load.
- Want to make a change but don’t know where to start? Set one intention to improve your day.
- Bored with breakfast? Spring-inspired meals to start your day?
On a personal note
I’ve seen so many clients striving this month, taking on ‘challenges’ to exercise more, eat less or add extra tasks to their to-do list. In most cases these women are already holding up more than half the sky, at home and their virtual workplace. No one’s had that much needed winter (or summer) break.
At times like this I ask, do you really need to do more right now? Would you like permission to do less?
In recent years I’ve been fortunate to take a few weeks off each winter. Until plans were cancelled for a second year in a row, I’d not fully realised the importance of that mid-year full stop.
Earlier this month, the universe sent me a powerful message. My computer repeatedly crashed, so too my work email and website. I got it! And acted. Rescheduling a day of clinic appointments and a couple of volunteer commitments, all but logging off the internet for a couple of days.
As this down time coincided with my newsletter, I’ve taken my own advice to do less. So it’s just a mini update this month. In the shadow of winter as we wait for the equinox to herald the arrival of spring, maybe you’d like permission to do a little less this week too?
I’m here to help
An upside of our more restricted life at the moment, is reconnecting with former patients. It’s a pleasure to consult with clients online, near and far.
Just a reminder that if we’ve worked together previously, no matter how long ago, we don’t need to start from scratch. Just book a 50 minute follow up consultation (rather than an initial). And you won’t miss out on my custom-made herbal prescriptions, as herb and supplement can be sent throughout Australia.
Kia kaha/stay strong,
Gill
PS: thanks for the lovely feedback about my daily Instagram posts documenting #Sydneylockdown2021
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