15 (gentle and doable) things to support you in these times…

Hey Lovely Souls

These are really scary and anxiety inducing times. I have received my own share of “use this time to be productive and learn a new language” If that’s what feels right to you, you do you! However for many of us it’s an ebb and flow of emotions, focus and energy. So these are ideas to help support you and to focus on what you can control.

 

1. Take a deep breath with your hand on your heart
2. Make the bed
3. Open the blinds/curtains and if you weather permits windows
4. Hydrate, have some at the ready for you through the day. Set a timer to remind you through the day.
5. Grab a notebook and start filling it with whatever is on your mind and heart. (Anything goes, clippings, venting, fears, gratitude, wish lists)
6. Check in with your body a few times a day. Where are you holding your tension, your fear?
7. Ask yourself what you need in this moment
8. Be mindful of what and how often you are consuming the news and social media
9. Move your body… it is healthy mind body and soul. Also it helps channel some of that anxious energy many of us have.
10. Engage in your basics of self care, your foundations. (maybe that’s some of the above) like brushing your teeth, hair and showering
11. Savor something that nourishes you ( a song, cuppa, shower, meal)
12. Blitz areas that are bugging you but feel too overwhelming to full complete (blitzes are 5-20 minute “bursts” of cleaning, creating, decluttering etc)
13. Get dressed. I find it helps the mood, even if we are just inside or taking the dog for a stroll.
14. Allow yourself to just be. To honor what you are feeling for that moment in that day. So often we want to shove the feelings away and fix it. (if it’s too overwhelming, please seek help and call a crisis hotline)
15. If possible create tiny spaces of calm, comfort etc around you. Maybe it’s an essential oil, journal, book, throw, image or word that fulfills that. You don’t need much space to make this happen.

Above all, be kind and gentle with yourself. These are trying times and we can’t expect the same of ourselves that we have always done because life simply isn’t what it used to be.

Here is to living with intention

Heather

15 Mini Life Edits- Living with Intention

 

15 mini life edits

Hey Lovely Souls!

For some reason I love the idea of a life edit, but editing and overhauling everything isn’t likely or realistic. (not to mention it’s overwhelming!)

So I created a list of 15 ways to create little min life edits for yourself. These are all fairly simple (and not too time consuming) ways to add what would help support you and subtract what isn’t.

1. Clean out your purse/bag/wallet -Only put back in what is needed, deal with the rest (put it away, throw it away etc..)
2. .Create a yes stack of books!
3. Delete apps you never use.
4. Turn off notifications that distract you and suck you into the vortex!
5. Get/Use a reusable water bottle to be a constant reminder to hydrate.
6. Unsubscribe from emails that you always delete anyway (or that just make you feel bad, obligated or any type of should feeling… )
7. Put your creative supplies (some of them) out in a place where you will see them daily.
8. Write down your ideas (use a notes app on your phone or carry a notebook with you)
9. Choose the books you want to read each month and write them down. I have so many books. I constantly say I want to read more.. and yet I don’t. Part of that is because I have not intentionally selected what I want to be reading.
10. Remove (when you can) the items from your space that derail what you say you want. (example: You want to eat healthier but all you have around is junk food… not helpful to eating healthier is it?!)
11. Add in the items (where you can) that support what you want. (going with the example above, add in fruits, veggies or less processed stuff) But this can go for all sorts of items!
12. Set up reminders on your phone to hydrate, take a deep breath, to check in with yourself.
13. Get rid of the books and magazines that feel like shoulds (I should learn this, be this way or read/use it because I paid so much…) Sell or give them away. Let what feels like an obligation be a blessing to someone else.
14. Automate what you can where you can. Bills, supplies… you always get. This isn’t about being on autopilot it’s about making things easier, less stressful.
15. Make a list of go to’s.. .Menu, grocery items, self care practices… It can be a great tool to check in with when you are trying to engage in those things. Instead of always trying to come up with something new or off the top of your head. You have your sort of master list of… to pull from.

 

Here is to living with Intention

Heather

Dear 2019…A letter to the year coming to an end…

Hey Lovely Souls!

Each year since about 2011 I have written a letter to the year to sort of sum it up with a bit of reflection. Here is 2019’s… I invite you to do the same get as detailed or general as feels good to you!

Dear 2019,
Well weren’t you an interesting year! You held what felt like some big blessings and also a lot of unsettled energy.There was heavy diagnoses for loved ones, indecision that went on for months. There was also beautiful support in some unexpected ways and places. Some of this isn’t really my story to dive deep into. And the much of it is still unfolding. Finding our way to information and support.
Thankfully as you are coming to a close things are feeling more settled than in previous months! My word this year was Fulfill, it showed up in some great ways and some unexpected ways.
I created and love running the Self and Soul Care Circle, A Soul Renewed. I Started blogging about Caregivers and plan on doing that a lot more (as it’s a big part of my life these days, being a co-caregiver). I felt like I almost reach my capacity more than once in this year. Though in all of those instances  have come out a bit wiser and more aware.
I have cleared space and still am, it feels constant sometimes, never ending But I also am seeing my way through and out of it more and more. I have sat on more ideas than I have shared, often too tired or afraid to really dive in, create and share them. I hope that it’s the opposite for that next year by this time!
I am continuing to peel and reveal the layers of my fear, grief, anxiety and truth.
You felt like molasses in the start and then felt like you zipped by since Spring.. how are we already in a new year and decade?!
Thank you for the gifts you have given me and the lessons (even if they were or are being revealed in difficult ways)

Love, Heather

An invitation to Caring for yourself … A Soul Renewed Self & Soul Care Circle

A Soul Renewed a self & Soul care CIRCLE  –  JANUARY 5, 2020

Hey Lovely Souls!  I have an invitation for you. I am opening my A Soul Renewed , Self & Soul Care Circle back up for a bit! If you want to start 2020 with a small group of supportive souls & Loads of inspiration. This circle is for you. Each month we have a theme or few themes that work together. You get weekly emails and if you choose to join the Facebook group you will get check in’s, links etc.. of thoughts or goodness I find as we go through the week. (But do know you will get the value from the content I send weekly if you are not a Facebook kind of person!)

A few 2020 Themes… ( The themes often reveal themselves within the group, it is a group for and about you so we keep it a bit fluid)

• Self Talk, how your inner and outer talk is influencing your life and tools to notice and shift it.
• Creating Space in your life for you and your truth.

More info about this circle below…

Self Care is multi Layered it also sometimes gets a bad rap. It is thought of as selfish or frivolous. It is not, it is necessary to be able to be and give the best in our lives. For ourselves, others and our purposes.

If you would like to learn more or you would like to sign up please email me hstoliveinspired @ gmail.com or pay here and put a note of what email you would like the emails for the circle sent to! 

Each month you we will have a focus each week we explore practices, prompts and reminders.

The circle provides support and accountability where you need/want it.

How much: $10 Per month (Jan, Feb, March) at current time, can be paid monthly or 3 months at a time)

Where: Online, we will have a Facebook group. However You will get weekly emails as well so you don’t miss any of the main content.

When: Starts  January 5, 2020

How long:  Ongoing

Here is to living with Intention

Heather

16 (small) actions to help you live with more intention

 

Hey Lovely Souls,

Shifting the energy, our lives and starting the path of living a more intentional life doesn’t have to cost us a bunch or any money and doesn’t have to be time consuming. Here are some small actions you can take!

1. Create a yes stack of books
2. Release books that feel like “Should”
3. Clean out your purse, car, junk drawer
4. Unsubscribe to a email or 3!
5. Delete apps you never use
6. Write down a mantra and post it somewhere you will see it often ( I am loved, I am guided, I am doing my best)
7. Look people in the eyes when you are talking to them (it’s easy to look at our phones or to dismiss the person behind the counter helping us.. make a point to make eye contact)
8. Send an encouraging text, email,note.
9. Put on a song you love and move to it or let it move you (sitting and soaking it in…eyes close if safe to do so)
10. Choose a talisman of sorts, something to wear or easily portable to remind you that you are guided.
11. Set up “stuff” the night before (clothing, coffee, am tools to help you start your day with purpose and alignment)
12. Write down what you are grateful for (or paint it, capture a picture, write a poem)
13. Ask yourself am I numbing or nourishing
14.  Carry a journal with you to capture ideas, thoughts, doodles, wish lists, soul notes
15. Carry a reusable water bottle to help you hydrate
16. Plan your week, make sure you are in the schedule as well. Taking care of yourself is the foundation to supporting your other and to supporting your dreams!

Here is to living with Intention

Heather

 

Monthly Review and Intentions

Hey Lovely Souls!

It’s November already, how that happened I don’t know! But here we are!

Grab your journal, planner, notes app or whatever feels right and take a few minutes to reflect and set intentions.

In October what were my wins and woes? We are all great about focusing on our woes and undones. It’s important to look at our wins. It helps us know whats working and whats not.

For November…

What do I want to…

Feel

Create

Accomplish

Savor

Practice

Adjust my expectations to

Let go of

Start

How will I set myself up for success, how will I support myself?

That might mean making your holiday meal a potluck, getting some things prepped, going non traditional, skipping some gatherings you usually go to because you feel maxed out already, creating traditions that feel right to you even if they are not “traditional”

Here is to living with Intention

Heather

Lately-Through the lens

Reminders in my journal

A Soul Renewed ~Self &Soul care circle (more info on workshop page and coming this week!)

Fascinated with nature

Watercolor play

Stacks and reminders

Our adorable dog,

Bits of life lately in images…

Not pictured

Messy bits in my space, notes on venting, overwhelm with various areas of my life, moments of co care-taking , a fridge that needs to be cleaned out!

What’s your life lately?

Here’s to living with intention

Heather

Reflect and plan -Journal Prompt

Hey Inspiring soul,

Shockingly as always the month is coming to a close, September is just about about upon us.

A great way to help you transition into the new month is to reflect and plan.

Reflect: on the month coming to a close

• What were my wins this month?
• What was difficult?
• Things you want to remember?
• Read,watched ,learned

Plan:The month coming up

• What do I need to get done?
• How do I want to feel?
• What is my intention?
• What needs to be carried forward from last month?
• What can I release from last month?
• What do I want to savor?
• What do I want to create space for?
• How van I create that space?

Here is to living with Intention

Heather

20 Lists to make for 2019

Hey Inspiring Souls!.

I love to make lists, I also think it can be a great way to process through, get clear and focused on things.

Here are 20 lists you can make for 2019 (or anytime really) to help you get a little more clear and focused.

1. Books you want to read
2. More of list
3. Less of list
4. Local things/places you would like to explore
5. What you want to savor
6. What you want to explore
7. What you want to create
8. How you want to feel
9. Ways to nourish yourself
10. Ways to nourish and honor your dreams
11. Reminders to yourself (be gentle, get focused, start again, start where you are etc… ) for the inevitable times where you will feel like you are not making the progress you want.
12. Your basics (for self care, feeling grounded, nourishing yourself)
13. Things you want to learn
14. Ways to start your day
15.  Ways to end your day
16. Appointments you need to have
17. People and practices that support you
18. Things you want to finish (or declare you are finished with)
19. Things and people that make you laugh
20. The tools, skills, resources you have right now to help support you to create the life that you desire (even if you feel like you are inching your way there)

Do you have any that you feel called to make? What is your favorite kind of list to make to support you?

Here is to living with Intention

Heather

5 ways to set yourself up for success this week

5 ways to set yourself up for success this week

Hey inspiring Souls,

Most of us have a lot going on in our lives these day. We tend to get into react not responding. What we do that all the time it’s not unusual for things we intended to do or create just feel like too much. One way to help shift this is to engage in things that set us up for success. Here are 5 ways to do just that.

1. Plan your week, put in the tasks you need to get done calls to make etc…but don’t forget to schedule in self snd soul care

2. Set up your supplements or medicine for the week.

3. Go grocery shopping and get meals for the week (making a menu is helpful < note to self!

4. Set up reminders through the day to get up and move, breath, appts etc

5. Set intentions: how do you want to feel, what do you want to accomplish and what do you want to savor?

Here’s to living with intention

Heather