Six Steps to Sanity in a Completely Topsy-Turvy Time
Maya Angelou said it best, “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
In these uncertain times, our daily routines can help ground us. There are a lot of unknowns in the world right now, and I have found that settling into my favorites provides me with some sense of normalcy in a very surreal climate.
Whenever I am confronted with a lot of things I cannot control, I go back to the basics: a good book, hot tea, morning meditation, long talks with my mom or sister, and checking in on my friends. Shoot, the other day I went totally old school and wrote a letter to my cousin who has always been a mentor to me. She is working with refugee children, and I wanted to let her know I admire her service and love.
I took a class this fall that focused on being a grateful leader, and the lessons taught seep into my everyday life. When you express gratitude in writing, it provides a boost even in the darkest of times for both the giver and receiver. Try it- it works.
Most importantly, in these uncertain times, our daily routines ground us. Let’s face it, there are a lot of unknowns in the world right now, and settling into my favorites provides me with some sense of normalcy. At the end of the day, we cannot control everything that comes at us, but we can control our response. I try to remember this lesson when my Breaking News alert is on steroids.
Here are some things that seem to be working for me, and I am hopeful they will work for you, too:
Breathe- one hand on your stomach and one on your heart; this placement provides comfort and peace, and three deep breaths in do a world of good.
Read- find an uplifting piece; jump off social media for a second and avoid the negative spaces for a moment; I am reading The Five AM Club and it has all The Alchemist vibes.
Light a Candle- the simple act of filling your space light and something that smells awesome does wonders to soothe your nerves.
Write- writing is therapeutic and allows you to process things you did not even know were stuck.
Stretch- drop down on the floor and stretch yourself; so much tension stays trapped in our systems; MS has taught me many lessons and stretching tops the list!
Walk- a brisk walk (even 20 minutes) helps reset the mind and body.
My six steps to sanity might not be yours, but I encourage you to try one. Maya Angelou said it best, “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
