Reflection, Reverence, and Relevance

I’ve recently moved homes and anyone who has moved can attest to some degree of feeling overwhelmed and displaced during the transition.

I’ve also left behind my yoga studio which was purposely built for teaching in 2009.

Many of us do not need to actually move to feel overwhelmed or displaced. This year the COVID pandemic has continued to wreak havoc on our daily routines, so there have been plenty to trigger these feelings.

There have been new beginnings too this year. For me, working in the corporate wellbeing space, albeit online, has generated a surge in creative energy that I’ve really welcomed.

However, today, the day before the new year I tend to be even more reflective than usual. I know I’m not alone.

I’m reminded of a Jewish new year custom which honours time to reflect (and repent any wrongdoings that happened in  across the year). Then, after this reflection in prayer, we are ‘written in the new book of life’ - a fresh new chapter.

While I don’t follow a religious path as such, I do like the idea of taking time out to acknowledge what has been meaningful and fulfilling over time. And acknowledging what hasn’t!

From my personal perspective, I’ve been able to enjoy being ‘well’ for the most part this year and in particular I am referring to my mental wellbeing. I have been available to support  others and those who have not been well. Having experienced mental dis-ease on and off for much of my life I never take my mental wellbeing for granted. Not even for a second!

To sustain wellbeing, it is good to reflect on what has given us energy this year and what has depleted us. We all have our unique fingerprint and can benefit from taking time out for this reflective exercise.

Along with feeling positively energised in new work spaces, I’ve committed to some semblance of daily exercise, whole foods and connection to self and others.

Daily meditation, largely breath work, really helps me to experience a sense of wellbeing. I also need to literally feel the ground under my feet, whether it be on carpet, grass, sand, or a nearby rock.

I’m human and I do my fair share of consuming and over-enjoying rich foods or wine - sometimes too much.

I try not to beat myself up when I “fall off the wellness wagon” and continue to work on not comparing myself to others which Brene Brown (one of my idols) says ‘stifles creativity’. It is natural to do but research shows it does not contribute to our wellbeing.

I have continued to navigate “staying in my own lane” more of the time and practice being genuinely being pleased for others. Some whom I may admire and others I may even feel some resentment toward for “beating me” to my personal goals . (I still feel uncomfortable even acknowledging that let alone sharing this in writing!)

In the newly published book, Atlas of the Heart, by (you guessed it!) Brene Brown, is a great read for those wishing to explore ways to balance our ever changing human emotions and find meaningful connection. Positive psychology research has found that ‘savouring’ good moments can assist with our wellbeing.

When we do feel well, content or even excited we can pause and realise that we are ‘full’ of positive energy. Exploring this through our 5 senses is useful. We can then breathe slowly and mindfully take in where we are in that place and time. Helping to anchor it and imprinting it in our memories so we can recall back the joyful experiences when we choose.

We can also take notice when we feel mentally and physically and/or spiritually empty. When we do this we can recognise actions and patterns than no longer serve us and work to make positive change in service of our future selves.

Another idea as we head out of 2021 and enter 2022 is we can make a mental (or written) list of what we revere and hold sacred. To me revering is essentially a deep respect for what gives our life meaning.

My list this year is:

1. Nature in all forms

2. My spiritual path

3. My Family

4. Genuine friendship

5. Embracing changes (beginnings and endings too)

I invite you to take a few moments to reflect on what you respect and what you would like to welcome into your life or embrace more deeply in 2022.

Finally, I wanted to reinforce something I mentioned in a previous blog where I wrote about the danger of clinging too much to any of our masks, our identities. This could be in a personal or professional context: as a parent, a student, CEO or technical trade etc. I find that asking ourselves, ‘who am I if I’m not this’ is a great question to ponder to reflect on personal values, even if it is a little uncomfortable.

Because identities shift, holding on too tightly to one can prevent growth and lead to suffering. I know this is an idea that I will continue to explore in 2022.

So, let’s all give a little space to any part of ourselves that we hold on too tightly too and realise we are more than one part, that we are many changing parts.

Let’s work on listening deeply to ourselves and also listening to others, especially those who have different viewpoints from us.

May our many combined parts create a multifaceted, productive and fascinating whole that support positive growth in the new year.

All my best, Deb

This article was first published through Medium on Dec 31, 2021