Hey Beautiful People.. how are you? It’s a beautiful summer day and if you're familiar with the seasons in Minnesota you know that's something to celebrate. I hope that you are enjoying life with all it’s ups and downs – and being the example of love that you are as best you can.
To live more fully in the moment I've noticed a desire to slow down and savor each moment as best I can. Most days I do alright at this task. I stay balanced. Other days I find that I'm indulging. Do you do that, too? It’s almost like the nicer weather, the sunshine, all the summer fests, functions, and fun win over doing the things I know I need to do for my own alignment in terms of my personal life, my home life, my biz life, all the lives. With equally relaxing and hectic summer days upon us it's easy to find ourselves off our routine.
Maybe we are one of the true champions – the ones that are showing up for yourself regardless of the season. Shit, maybe summer allows you to thrive! If that’s you, GO GET IT! I am most definitely rooting for you.
My truth? Summer throws me off a bit. This looks like putting off my daily practice until later in the day because I want to sleep in. It might also look like skipping some intentional physical activity for, let’s say, a patio.
I have absolutely no problem not noticing the rug that needs a definite sweeping when I’m off joining in on last minute plans to see the classic movie The Neverending Story that just happens to be playing at 2:30, outside, for only 5 bucks. I can’t miss THAT! Falkor!? On the BIG SCREEN??!! Yes.
And what about that friend that calls and says, “Hey Annie! I just picked fresh veggies from my garden, want to come over for dinner?” The combination and friendship and food is pure gold and high up on what matters to me - I’m gratefully seizing it.
This is no big deal - until it is.
I know you know that moment when you’ve finally reached your threshold. There’s some discomfort due to the lingering (and perhaps a bit guilt-tripping) thoughts of not doing what you know is best for you, that sensation of being a bit frazzled, and the disorganization and overall cleanliness of your home has simply gone too far. Finally it’s enough and you are propelled – sometimes frantically so – back into movement. Back into routine. Back to a sense normalcy. Back into your fierce self-love game.
So, like, we can do life this way. Sure. It is summer and I am all for living in the now. I believe changing our lifestyle based on the seasons benefits our health and that flexibility is a completely undervalued personal skill. I value community and connection and I chase feelings of joy like a kid. And, tomatoes just simply taste the best in the summer and truly like a gift from the heavens when they come from a friend’s garden.
Enjoy these moments. Savor them. Seek them. And, revise your routines and priorities in a way that allows you to stay consistent with the things you know bring you into alignment and support your stay there while keeping the positive forward momentum going on whatever passion project you’ve got cookin’.
We don’t have to wait until we can’t take it anymore to figure out exactly what it is we need. We can sense the discomfort earlier on – yes, but this feels tricky to me considering I find myself having a high threshold for pain at times.
And so I wonder…
What if we were able to lessen the expectations we place on ourselves while still living in our integrity? What would life be like if we were able to accept a more fluid way of being without beating ourselves up? How much freedom might we feel is we stayed grounded in the mindset of, life is a long-ass-journey so let’s keep it enjoyable while taking wise action?
My idea? To learn our seasons and adjust how we show up in the world in response to them. We can intentionally choose those glorious good feeling feelings of flow and alignment while slowing down and enjoying life.
I believe living this way demonstrates a kind of self-love that doesn’t get talked about enough. The kind where we allow ourselves to be human first and foremost. It honors how we want to feel over everything else. That’s radical. It puts soul-nourishing at the center of our life.
I’m sharing with you my process. I call it the Seasonal Recalibration. It’s the same approach I share with my clients when they find themselves feeling like they must perform at the exact same caliber all.year.long. and are simply tired of that way of living. I use it more than 4 times a year and encourage you to use it as frequently as you need. Remember, sometimes there are seasons within seasons. Don’t get caught up in how often you need to use it. Celebrate how committed you are to your own success.
Feels good to be the savior in your own life, doesn’t it?
Seasonal Recalibration
(In addition to the ideas below I suggest deep breathing as you bring yourself back to the plate…now, swing through..)
1. Sit down and face whatever it is you’ve been ignoring or slacking on. We all have stuff, don’t lie. Acknowledge it’s there although it’s uncomfortable.
2. Get clear on what the routine was before summer hit. Ask yourself what expectations you previously set that are now not working because your consistency has gone by the wayside.
3. Pause and practice grace. Forgive yourself for not meeting this expectation. Recall the new way of being we are embracing – the way that mirros the natural rhythms of nature by creating space for and honoring seasons, the ebbs and flows.
4. Rework your expectations to a way that feels good: not too much, not too little. Channel the story of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”
5. Create some way of new accountability. When we fall off we need structure to firmly yet gently hold us.
6. Share this someone you love. Just by talking about it you’re way more likely to get back into the swing of things and stay there. And remember, the people who love you want to support you. Allow them that gift by embracing some vulnerability. Trust me, it will feel so good.
Dear friends, give yourself permission to plant, nurture, grow, and blossom and let yourself live in accordance with each phase you find yourself in. Nature gives us all the guidance we need. It naturally thrives. You will, too. Most importantly, you deserve to grow and live life in this way. The skill of consistency is radical self-love, don’t abandon it. Adjust it. Make it work for you, not against, at every given moment.
Feeling good is your birthright.
Now, I’m off to have a lay in the grass because, why not?
Xo,
Annie
