empowerment

 

 

Sometimes reclaiming our power is as simple as starting all over.

Have you noticed this too?

We start something. We stall for awhile, and sometimes we even give up. But there is a certain scrappy power that comes from persisting, from our willingness to keep learning from our stumbles and begin again.

Within each of us is this inner reservoir of strength that we can must stay connected to, that we must feed and nourish through our self care and our positive mindset. But last month I felt myself draining it more than I was replenishing it.

Even when Life is full and bustling with basically good things it is possible for me to lose a sense of balance about my life; my own role as first-born and ‘caretaker’ in my family dynamics means that I can give and give until I suddenly wake up feeling depleted. And finding myself asking questions like, “Why has it been so long since I’ve gone to the gym?” and “Why am I spending so much time doing menial chores when I want to be doing other things?”

Have you noticed how little annoyances grow when we’re not taking care of ourselves?

And so…June is the month I find myself in need of a re-start in a few areas.

 

 After ending May in a whirlwind of activities that included sending Michael off to Georgia to compete in the National Regatta Championships and then attending his final—very sentimental-- Crew awards banquet, hosting my parents for a much needed visit, continuing our DIY projects ( new French doors installed in a room) and joining a neighborhood garage sale where we finally—finally—have rid ourselves of cumbersome stuff from our old house….

 

I awoke on the first day of June feeling a surprising lightness.

 

Suddenly June was looking like my new best friend.

And the first thing I did was go back to the hot yoga studio.

I had traded yoga for the gym several months ago and even though I had a good run with a personal trainer who gave me a set of work-outs that I truly enjoy, I just never felt the same emotional replenishment that I got with hot yoga.

So instead of focusing on what took me so long, or worrying about my abilities to do the poses after so long, I just went back. I signed up again and plopped down on my mat and languished in the joy of being back in the heated room, inside my sweaty body, surrounded by fellow peace seekers.

In fact, before I left  I joined the Summer Challenge going on at the studio which is a commitment to 52 classes in 92 days. Basically four classes a week throughout summer. Which means my name is now plastered on the studio wall making it a definite commitment.

Which is what I needed, to reclaim some balance in my life for something that makes me feel strong and healthy from the inside out.

How about you? Is there something in your life you want to prioritize this month?

Would you like to join me for a little June Self Care?

 

 

Before I go here are some other people or projects I’ve found inspiring lately:

 

We just saw this MOVIE and I loved it…hooray for old fashioned romance!

I’m using this wish-list when it comes time for our kitchen remodel

this gifted writer and her gorgeous food blog

a coastal farmhouse re-model

an amazing couple that will change the way you look at sunsets forever (have Kleenex nearby, seriously)

 

xo

Leslie