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Arete Warriors – spirit, mind, body strong
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How moving has helped me calm down
Summers are nuts. BBQs, travel, sports, camps, more noise in the house…
In May we are excited for the kids to be out of school but soon after we sometimes crave the routine of the school year. 😵💫
I’ve confessed to you before that I am scattered… busy in my brain.
If you know me, you’re probably giggling with recognition right now. “Well THAT’s an understatement!” 😂
Maybe that’s why I gravitate toward books & teachings around the ideas of slowing down, being present, or cleaning the slate, so to speak.
Dr. Amy Johnson, writes in Being Human: Essays on Thoughtmares, Bouncing Back, and Your True Nature about how it is our innate nature to be well. She points out that if we are not feeling connected to our inherent wellbeing, it is because our thinking has gotten in the way of it.
She’s not the first to point out that our thinking is to blame for most of our complaints. William Shakespeare wrote, “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”
Many, MANY authors have written similar sentiments since.
And I know it to be true. My thinking can change my mood entirely, when nothing else (outside of me) has changed.
Recently, I RE-learned something simple (outside of me) that makes a HUGE difference in my thinking.
Let’s Prepare – the warm up
On top of the usual summer chaos, Izak just got his driver’s license, Nadia is changing schools this fall, & WE ARE MOVING!
The workout side of my business is changing as I navigate this transition too. Everything is up in the air…
and I’ve never felt more calm.
Our house has not sold yet so we have it staged & (almost) ready for showings. Every day.
We spent months purging (the kids have been in the same bedrooms their whole lives!), the counters are clutter-free, & the beds are made!
I noticed a few days after we reached this level of clean that my mind was more calm.
It was noticeable!
I’m not “cured” by any means 😆 but it has made such a difference I doubt we will go back to our clutter-ridden ways.
A few years ago I went through a purge & organization phase and I remember I lost like 10 pounds. I just felt good & happy, so ate less!
Let’s Work – the exercise
Maybe you’re already a neat freak (I’m thinking of you Aimee, Whitney & Jameela) 🤗 but if you’re not, let this be your invitation to try it out.
Nadia was complaining that her back hurt this morning… so she couldn’t possibly help Ali & Izak with whatever it was they were doing. Ali told her she wouldn’t be able to go to Parkour then tonight.
Of course she was in tears begging to go this afternoon. 🙄
Ali looked at me & said, “Mama, how can she earn a trip to Parkour?”
I’m not ashamed to say I used the opportunity to my advantage. She is right now folding all the clothes in her dresser. 🤩
My point is, you have children. Let me remind you it is not your job to clean up after them (depending on their age). Teach them to be a good roommate when they grow up. 😁
If it’s not the clutter in your house, what is it? Is there something simple you could do to declutter your mind?
Years ago I fired a client that I did not enjoy training. I didn’t realize how MUCH he was weighing me down until he was off my schedule. 🙌
Have that conversation you’re dreading. Make that decision that’s looming. Maybe it’s time to look for a new job?
Whatever it is, give it a shot. I hope you get the same relief I am enjoying!
