Over the years I’ve developed a morning routine that has become so habitual that I don’t really have to think about it, and actually feel weird if I skip some of it. This is not a prescription for what every person should do. It’s an example of what a morning routine might contain to start your day off in the right direction. Always follow your gut as to what works best for you.
When you’re angry, afraid, ashamed, guilt-ridden, depressed or jealous life gets hard. So, we spend our time trying to find a life that is free from those feelings that drag us down. In this series on yoga philosophy, I’m sharing millennia old wisdom that helps give shape to the things that we struggle with and provides guidance.
Generally speaking, I find people are terrified to make mistakes. They become paralyzed by the fear that they won’t start in the right place or do the right thing or will screw it (whatever “it” is) up in some fashion. This is what I tell my clients: Start in the middle and figure it out from there.
Ayurveda is one of the oldest forms of medicine, having been around for over two millennia, is still practiced widely today, and shares its foundations with many other ancient teachings. It’s right up my integrative coaching alley as it focuses on whole-body health, combining the physical, psychological and spiritual.
Minimalism is a mindset and way of life, not a trend. It’s about living with less. Less frustration, less rushing, and yes, less clutter. A minimalist life is about whittling down to the things that really matter, and letting the fluff go by the wayside. Letting go of the toxic friends, and the job that you hate, maybe even having the kids in fewer afterschool activities.
No one likes being in pain. There are always solutions, though. It may take time and work, and the solution might not look the way you thought it would, but there really is a solution to everything. When you’re in the middle of strong emotions the idea of a solution can seem like a fairytale, while you’re stuck in a nightmare.
