HOW A BREAKDOWN CAN BRING ABOUT CLARITY. TIME TO RESET!

Seasons are changing, there is a chill in the air, a freshness, a stillness. I noticed a flock of birds flying in formation, getting ready for their movement to their migratory home. The garden is changing, the colors go from pinks and purples to deep red and orange. It’s a natural progression of change. Do you change during this time, do you allow yourself time to reset and reflect? Do you see this time as a natural progression to go inward or do you keep pushing your way through the year?

Recently I was forced into a reset. I was pushing, not listening to what my body was telling me. Do you believe that your body talks to you? I lost my rhythm, turned my back on my boundaries, disassociated myself from my values. Where in your life have you or do you do that?
It’s uncomfortable and scary when this “being out of balance happens.” It shows up everywhere in my life. Clutter, confusion, anxiety, fear, sleeplessness. Can you relate?
Whenever this happens to me, after I am finished with my pity party of course, I turn my focus inward and follow these five steps. See if any of these resonate with you. Which one(s) would be helpful for you to focus on? 

1. TIDY UP – Marie Kondo your life or just a closet. Start somewhere to clear the clutter. It doesn’t matter where the clutter is. Wherever it shows up the clutter also begins to create the same confusion in your mind. Take some time to go through your home. Open your spice cabinet, the god forsaken “junk drawer”, your shoe rack, clothes closet, your desk. Where do you want to begin?
2. BOUNDARIES – Often times this is the pile that you have swept under the carpet. As women we nurture. We turn our focus on others needs, finding it difficult to look back at ourselves and the needs of our life, business or dreams. How can you begin to add structure to your day? Are you using an appointment calendar (ie: google calendar, calendly, asana, monday)? How about using your phone and setting timers throughout your day. I find this especially helpful. What tricks do you use to keep you on track?
3. BREATHE – In recent studies, focusing on our breath has the ability to slow the heart rate, promotes a feeling of calm and offers an anti-anxiety effect. In the book, Three Deep Breaths by Thomas Crum, he talks about the journey of the mind-body connection in relation to the breath. The first breath being the Centering Breath, the second being the Breath of Possibility, and the third being the Breath of Discovery. Imagine a breath as it travels throughout your body; clearing, opening up and allowing. The beauty of aligning your breath is that you can do this anywhere and at any time.  
4. EXPERIENCE “AWE” – There are many ways in which we can experience awe and the benefits make it all worth it. From improved relationships, to less stress and being genuinely happier. Being in “awe” allows us to experience the vastness that life has to offer. When we are experiencing fear, confusion or depression our view is focused on overwhelm. Being in “awe” allows us to see possibility, adds light where there was none, beings our attention to something bigger than ourselves. In the book, Awestruck, psychologist Jonah Paguette says that by turning our focus to wonder or being in awe of, we are actually letting go of our ego. By letting go of our ego we become more integrated and centered which releases the feeling of confusion.
5. LEARN SOMETHING NEW – By seeking out new information, listening to a positive message, immersing yourself in a new interest you take the focus off you and drop down into possibility and growth. When I find myself in confusion or anxiety, I turn to my library or my favorite inspirational leaders on YouTube or HayHouse and go deep into discovery. I pull out my journal and let it flow often losing complete track of time and judgement of myself and my misery. What would you like to discover? Who are your go to inspirational leaders?

So, if you find yourself needing to hit the “reset button”, then try these five tips to get clear, focused and invigorated about life again! Embrace the reset, it is a way to compliment your life instead of complicate it.
 
Cheers to a beautiful day!

Merry Lynch