Ah this is timely. Thank you for sharing these practices, Dana.
I've been feeling extra anxious (less online, more irl) and I think I may need to get myself a spiral notebook to do something similar. My routine has completely gone out the window with this move and the extra stresses I hadn't anticipated and it's taking a toll on me. I actually laughed a little bit the other day when I was telling a friend how terrible I've been feeling. After I had a big cry I was like "no wonder I feel like shit, I haven't been doing any of the things I know make me feel good." It was an eye opener, and I think this visual will be really helpful in getting back on track.
Aww... sending you much love and care, Kaitlyn. Moving homes and finding your bearings in new surrounds is a LOT. And I imagine that Chiang Mai feels very different from Pai. I hope you have a nourishing Sunday, doing things that make you feel good. ❤️
Thank you, Dana. Sending you so much love and care right back ❤️
It is definitely quite a different vibe from Pai, but luckily I'm way far out of the city busy-ness and nestled into the country life which also has its perks! It may even be quieter than my place in Pai 😅
The expansion visualization you describe is beautiful. It’s so human of us to get stuck in our own narrow vision so whenever we can slip out of that and expand our heart and energy outward, the shoulders must drop. The heart is bound to open. Thanks for sharing that 🩵
I’m a gal who loves lists. But guess what - I don’t make them for things I look forward to doing. Only for things I “have to do”. The self-imposed tasks that feel bossy or necessary. I’m the one creating that narrative and it’s so convincing!
I’m going to try this - the spiral notebook. My three things right now would be:
Work on book proposal (even if just one sentence. One paragraph)
Yoga (I’ve let this drop and told myself I just don’t have the time anymore)
Paint rocks - I have this habit of collecting rocks that catch my eye on walks and I want to paint affirmations on them. I think about this all the time and have yet to start it.
Thanks, Dana! I needed the motivation to prioritize the stuff I want and let myself quit worrying about the tasks that boss me around.
Oh my gosh - I hadn’t thought of it that way before, but me too with the lists of “have to’s.” That’s definitely my default, and I want to start telling my own internal task master: you’re not the boss of me! 😝
I love the things on your new list, Allison. Wishing you a beautiful Sunday full of all good things. ❤️
I love this list Dana. Anytime I am more mindful and less device driven I feel better. I love the idea of having a notebook with options and tracking my time with those options. For me, games on my phone are a problem, as I often play while listening to an audiobook or podcast. But then I keep playing even when it ends. Stopping is the problem. Having a list to shift to sounds like an easy thing.
So glad it resonated with you, Janine. These devices sure are mesmerizing. I do like writing things out... and I’m grateful I had decades of practice before today’s online universe came along!
Oh wow, I love all your posts, Dana, but this one feels like an immediate first aid kit for me. While I've been feeling good about transforming some internal longtime maladaptive patterns, overall I am feeling adrift and easily pulled around by outside stimuli and distractions. And also too much screen time (despite my best intentions and a plan earlier this year). These three practices are so simple and yet feel so directly related to the challenges I am working with. I'm going to start with that matrix of the three priorities and tracking how much time I give them each week, that feels like a great place to start. Thank you for this, as always.
Thank you, Maia. It warms my heart to hear how this one resonated - and that you’re game to try the three priorities chart. The magnetic pull of screen time is really something; I honestly think it’s stronger than other addictive substances and patterns I’ve untangled myself from in the past. It helps, at least, to know I’m not alone in these challenges and places of practice... and that others see it as something worth bringing into close, attentive awareness.
p.s. Recently I set two really simple goals for myself:
7 pm, stop eating. allow my digestive system to rest and re-set for at least 12 hours until the next meal the next day. This is based on my growing understanding of how nutrition and eating habits affect me.
8 pm, stop using any digital devices.
Sometimes I keep to these, sometimes I give myself loopholes which doesn't actually feel good. Contemplating how to weave these in with the practices you offer here.
Thank you for this Dana, am sitting in the overwhelm of money management. Working for myself has made this way more complicated and of course I added additional complication to it because I can! I am fighting an urge to pay for the extra support and you gave me permission today to ask myself if that would actually simplify it or just move it. Simplification is what I need, now to find the how. Thank you 💕
Oof, I feel you, Louise. I know that place all too well. I love how you were able to get clear on what question to ask yourself (sometimes I feel like that’s the hardest part), answered with such honesty, and can now open to the "question under the question." Sending blessings for simplicity, grace, and ease. ❤️
I'm being forced to simplify online time too, by my body. I just don't sleep well when I spend too long on screens. It's frustrating that so much of modern life makes screens unavoidable. I'm doing a lot of scribbling in notebooks and reading books. Also trying to walk every day, though relentless rain, cold, and damp has added a layer of challenge to that! Thanks for the inspiration as ever. That process of changing all your passwords sounds like a nightmare. I hope that's the end of the hacking challenges for you!
I love how you’re honoring the messages and wisdom of your body. But right? The misalignment with modern life sure can be frustrating. Wishing you a blustery but invigorating walk followed by hot tea and time with your favorite books and notebooks. Thanks for being here and sharing, Vicki! 😊
I love your idea of drilling down priorities into three constants (including a mental/spiritual component). It's so easy to get lost in the immediate "to-dos".
Argh, I am sorry to hear you were hacked again. That is tough. Sending good vibes.
I appreciate these tips as I'm working to drag myself out of overwhelm. I look forward to doing the expansion visualization the way you have described. I often do something similar (but, of course, I've forgot recently!) but it's not a detailed.
Ah this is timely. Thank you for sharing these practices, Dana.
I've been feeling extra anxious (less online, more irl) and I think I may need to get myself a spiral notebook to do something similar. My routine has completely gone out the window with this move and the extra stresses I hadn't anticipated and it's taking a toll on me. I actually laughed a little bit the other day when I was telling a friend how terrible I've been feeling. After I had a big cry I was like "no wonder I feel like shit, I haven't been doing any of the things I know make me feel good." It was an eye opener, and I think this visual will be really helpful in getting back on track.
Aww... sending you much love and care, Kaitlyn. Moving homes and finding your bearings in new surrounds is a LOT. And I imagine that Chiang Mai feels very different from Pai. I hope you have a nourishing Sunday, doing things that make you feel good. ❤️
Thank you, Dana. Sending you so much love and care right back ❤️
It is definitely quite a different vibe from Pai, but luckily I'm way far out of the city busy-ness and nestled into the country life which also has its perks! It may even be quieter than my place in Pai 😅
I hope you had a lovely Sunday, too.
Oh, love hearing that. Huge perk!
The expansion visualization you describe is beautiful. It’s so human of us to get stuck in our own narrow vision so whenever we can slip out of that and expand our heart and energy outward, the shoulders must drop. The heart is bound to open. Thanks for sharing that 🩵
I’m a gal who loves lists. But guess what - I don’t make them for things I look forward to doing. Only for things I “have to do”. The self-imposed tasks that feel bossy or necessary. I’m the one creating that narrative and it’s so convincing!
I’m going to try this - the spiral notebook. My three things right now would be:
Work on book proposal (even if just one sentence. One paragraph)
Yoga (I’ve let this drop and told myself I just don’t have the time anymore)
Paint rocks - I have this habit of collecting rocks that catch my eye on walks and I want to paint affirmations on them. I think about this all the time and have yet to start it.
Thanks, Dana! I needed the motivation to prioritize the stuff I want and let myself quit worrying about the tasks that boss me around.
Oh my gosh - I hadn’t thought of it that way before, but me too with the lists of “have to’s.” That’s definitely my default, and I want to start telling my own internal task master: you’re not the boss of me! 😝
I love the things on your new list, Allison. Wishing you a beautiful Sunday full of all good things. ❤️
I love this list Dana. Anytime I am more mindful and less device driven I feel better. I love the idea of having a notebook with options and tracking my time with those options. For me, games on my phone are a problem, as I often play while listening to an audiobook or podcast. But then I keep playing even when it ends. Stopping is the problem. Having a list to shift to sounds like an easy thing.
P. S. Your handwriting is impeccable.
So glad it resonated with you, Janine. These devices sure are mesmerizing. I do like writing things out... and I’m grateful I had decades of practice before today’s online universe came along!
For sure. The devices are just one more addiction to overcome. I grew up on “analog" too, it's nice to have it to fall back on.
Oh wow, I love all your posts, Dana, but this one feels like an immediate first aid kit for me. While I've been feeling good about transforming some internal longtime maladaptive patterns, overall I am feeling adrift and easily pulled around by outside stimuli and distractions. And also too much screen time (despite my best intentions and a plan earlier this year). These three practices are so simple and yet feel so directly related to the challenges I am working with. I'm going to start with that matrix of the three priorities and tracking how much time I give them each week, that feels like a great place to start. Thank you for this, as always.
Thank you, Maia. It warms my heart to hear how this one resonated - and that you’re game to try the three priorities chart. The magnetic pull of screen time is really something; I honestly think it’s stronger than other addictive substances and patterns I’ve untangled myself from in the past. It helps, at least, to know I’m not alone in these challenges and places of practice... and that others see it as something worth bringing into close, attentive awareness.
Could you share the brand of that notebook? I'm really digging the way the columns are set up! Would like to see if i can find it online.
MUJI! I don't see the exact one on their U.S. site, but they have lots of simple, minimalist-aesthetic stationary. https://www.muji.us/collections/stationery
thanks!
p.s. Recently I set two really simple goals for myself:
7 pm, stop eating. allow my digestive system to rest and re-set for at least 12 hours until the next meal the next day. This is based on my growing understanding of how nutrition and eating habits affect me.
8 pm, stop using any digital devices.
Sometimes I keep to these, sometimes I give myself loopholes which doesn't actually feel good. Contemplating how to weave these in with the practices you offer here.
Love this, Maia. Thank you for sharing and inspiring!
Thank you for this Dana, am sitting in the overwhelm of money management. Working for myself has made this way more complicated and of course I added additional complication to it because I can! I am fighting an urge to pay for the extra support and you gave me permission today to ask myself if that would actually simplify it or just move it. Simplification is what I need, now to find the how. Thank you 💕
Oof, I feel you, Louise. I know that place all too well. I love how you were able to get clear on what question to ask yourself (sometimes I feel like that’s the hardest part), answered with such honesty, and can now open to the "question under the question." Sending blessings for simplicity, grace, and ease. ❤️
I'm being forced to simplify online time too, by my body. I just don't sleep well when I spend too long on screens. It's frustrating that so much of modern life makes screens unavoidable. I'm doing a lot of scribbling in notebooks and reading books. Also trying to walk every day, though relentless rain, cold, and damp has added a layer of challenge to that! Thanks for the inspiration as ever. That process of changing all your passwords sounds like a nightmare. I hope that's the end of the hacking challenges for you!
I love how you’re honoring the messages and wisdom of your body. But right? The misalignment with modern life sure can be frustrating. Wishing you a blustery but invigorating walk followed by hot tea and time with your favorite books and notebooks. Thanks for being here and sharing, Vicki! 😊
I love your idea of drilling down priorities into three constants (including a mental/spiritual component). It's so easy to get lost in the immediate "to-dos".
So glad that resonated, Beverly. And yes - way too easy to get lost in to-dos!
My three things are: write another instalment of my book, stop and stare at the tree out front, sort out one domestic thing 🤩
Love those, Lucy! 🌟
Argh, I am sorry to hear you were hacked again. That is tough. Sending good vibes.
I appreciate these tips as I'm working to drag myself out of overwhelm. I look forward to doing the expansion visualization the way you have described. I often do something similar (but, of course, I've forgot recently!) but it's not a detailed.
Thanks, Donna. Sending good vibes to you as well, and wishes for steadiness and ease... one thing at a time, one step after the next. ❤️