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What can I Create Today?

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What can I create today when life is so uncertain? When so much is out of my control. Can I even create under such circumstances?

I sat down to contemplate this during Melbourne’s latest lockdown. Our sixth! Two hundred plus days without freedom. Two hundred plus days away from family and friends. It’s very easy to get caught up in the fear, anxiety and uncertainty of our lives and live life from that perspective. It’s very easy to stay negative and feel that there is nothing to look forward to, as how can we plan when things just keep changing.

What can I create today? What could I create and bring into my life to not just pass the time, or make it more bearable, but to actual create opportunities and thrive? I decided to try and find out. Maybe you can do the same.

I looked at the areas of my life that were important to me. The physical, emotional and spiritual. Then I began to create routines to give my days some structure. It’s very easy to forget whether it’s a weekday or weekend when all the days feel the same.

On a physical level, exercise is important for me. My body needs to move not just for it’s own health and flexibility but for the ‘feel good’ factor it brings with it. Exercise also releases endorphins such as dopamine and serotonin which enhance your mood. This became a daily activity for me.

I also began my days with meditation. This practice reduces stress, especially when the morning news brings more drama. It sets me up for the day so that I begin everything in a calm and relaxed manner. I must admit I don’t always stay this way, but meditation is a beautiful way to start each morning.

I also returned to photography and started painting, bringing forth all the creative parts of me. I don’t always get it right and a lot of it is experimental, but I’m loving the joy and fun it brings to my life. I commenced writing a book and later some poetry. I set aside time each week so that I could follow these creative pursuits.

Time in nature is very fulfilling too. It calms you down, lifts the spirits, reduces stress and focuses you on the present moment. You can do this on a walk, just sitting in the sunshine or working in the garden.

Overall I created space to just be. To sit quietly with my thoughts and ponder on what my heart and soul needed in that moment. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ‘When we sit in silence, we hear the whispers of the Gods.”

Do you take time to sit in silence? To listen to the voice within, the whispers that guide you, the Muse that speaks to you?

What can you create from that space? Maybe it’s book you have always wanted to write or some jewellery you have longed to create? Maybe it’s a new exercise routine? Maybe it’s starting Yoga? Maybe it’s beginning meditation, a new course, painting, cooking, playing the piano or dancing?

Put times in your diary for work and play so that you are more likely to make things happen. They don’t have to be set in stone but having some structure helps.

Then ask yourself, ‘What can I create today? What can you do to make your days more playful and worthwhile. At a time when life is so uncertain, we can take positive action now.

We may not be able to control our external environments but we can control our internal ones.

Let me know how you go.

Warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

References: Photo by  Ali Abdul Rahman on Unsplash. Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

Taking back your Power during a Pandemic.

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Power, Empowerment.

Taking back your Power during a Pandemic is possible.

At a time when most of us are facing limitations on our normal lives, it’s very easy to feel powerless. However we still have the capacity to take back some control. I’m not talking about ignoring health advice or jumping on board with conspiracy theories, but instead I’m suggesting that we still have options. Options in how we choose to navigate the restrictions placed on us and how much impact they have on our lives.

Those of us in Melbourne are still in strict lockdown and this can be exhausting and depressing. It can be hard to see the positives in our lives when so much is far from normal. We can stay with these feelings of powerlessness or we can make the most of the opportunities available to us and take back our power.

Here are a few suggestions.

Put some structure into your week. For those who aren’t working or are working reduced hours from home, one day soon drifts into another. Why not put things in place that happen on certain days and so give some structure and meaning to your week. Perhaps do an exercise or dance class online every Wednesday, something creative on Mondays, shopping on Thursdays and rest on weekends. Make it a regular thing that happens on a certain day each week.

Exercise regularly. There is so much available online and a lot of it is free. Maybe you have always wanted to do Yoga or Tai Chi or a dance class. Now is the time. YouTube has some great ones. Get out in nature and enjoy these beautiful sunny days. I’m loving the blossoms and smells of Spring.

Get into the garden and plant some veggies, even in a pot. The winter ones are finishing but summer ones will be available soon. Growing your own food is so rewarding and helps you to stay focused and in the present. No room for fear or worry in the outdoors.

Have you always wanted to meditate but never found the time? Try Insight Timer. It’s a free app and has lots of different mediations from 5 minutes to an hour or more. Give yourself the benefits of this wonderful stress relieving practice. It has become such a part of my morning ritual that I feel unbalanced if I don’t do it.

Want to be creative? Start drawing or painting or just get your phone out and take some photos. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just have fun. I have been re-engaging with my camera and taking photos outside. I even tried out my son’s watercolour paints and had a ball. Creativity develops your whole brain as it requires you to ‘think outside the box’ and engage in some lateral thinking. No room for perfectionism or judgement here. Just play. You will find it so rewarding.

Work your Reflexology nerve points. These will help to balance your body and any underlying issues. There are some free charts under the Products page on my website.

Do something completely different and out of your normal routine. I was gifted an online cooking class recently and had so much fun preparing the (supplied) food. My son and I did it together on Instagram. We had so many laughs trying to keep up with the chef and reading everyone else’s hilarious comments. Look up Providoor.com.au. If you don’t want to cook, have a meal delivered instead.

Talk to your friends and family, often! It’s very easy to become isolated and lonely. Reach out to others and if you need to, ask for help. Don’t be ashamed if you aren’t coping. We all go through ups and downs during this crisis. I recently lost a much loved family pet, then we had some huge storms and no power for 27 hours. On top of that we had to start boiling our drinking water and that was the final straw. A beautiful friend sent me a gift and totally restored my optimism and resilience. Don’t be hard on yourself if things are difficult. We are going through unprecedented times and none of us know how to navigate our way through.

Talk to others and write down how you are feeling. Journalling helps take the anxiety and worry out and puts it on the page instead. Don’t watch the news and laugh, often. Even if its just a silly meme or Gif or a funny movie. They all help to lift your mood. Think of things that you have always wanted to do, be it drawing, dancing, singing, playing an instrument and just do it!

Taking back your power during a pandemic IS possible. You just have to remember that the power is within You.

Warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

References: Photo by Fuu J. on Unsplash