Going inwards & connecting to yourself to beat the January blues!

With January well underway, and the brand new year right at its beginning, I would like to ask, how is it all going with you? How is your mind? How is your body? How is your heart? 

There’s been a real mix of responses so far this year from various friends and clients as to how they are feeling - some are ready and raring to go whilst others are feeling the blues and can't get it over with quick enough. 

So, as you read this article, let it be your gentle reminder to take a second (or two) to notice how you are feeling, not how you should be feeling but how you really and truly are feeling, today, in this moment. Trusting that that feeling is completely valid and normal.

There can be so much pressure in the media at this time of year to have all this newfound motivation with resolution after resolution, working towards a never-ending list of goals and things you want to achieve by the end of the year. 

Consuming this information regularly can leave us feeling tired and demotivated, like it is all just a little bit of a drag and we are unworthy and not enough for any of it! 

Or maybe, you're ignoring all of that and just simply missing the Christmas break and lying on the sofa doing next to nothing. Again, all totally normal and valid. 

So, how can you carve a little more time to go inwards throughout the day-to-day to make space for some self-awareness and find your inner sparkle, regardless of all of the noise that might be around you? 

Here I share some tips and guidance on how you can do this: 

• Take a few gentle breaths with your morning coffee, perhaps here you could set an intention for the day, this could be something you want to achieve/get done or simply a feeling you would like to cultivate. 
• Write a couple of sentences in your journal prior to going through emails, writing literally anything. You could start this sentence something like…today I am feeling…and then put pen to paper and let it unravel exactly how it is meant to! 
• Go on a mindful walk in the fresh air on your well-deserved lunch break, rather than staying at your desk to eat the sandwich – taking that time halfway through the day is so important for our mind and body!
• Take regular breaks throughout the day to focus on the breath and to release any physical tension you may have built up. Especially focusing on the exhalation to release the physical tension. It is easy to forget to do this, you could give yourself little reminders to do so throughout the day - set an alarm, write it on your to-do list, put it on a post-it note and place them somewhere visible. 
• Take a moment before going to bed to reflect on the day. Knowing that tomorrow is a brand new day, and every single day is a fresh opportunity. 

With all of this comes so much clarity, connection, grounding and a release of anything that needs to be released. They are all such small, simple and accessible things that are so easy to start implementing, now! And it really is the small things that lead to the big things in life! 

I hope, if you are struggling this month, this article has given you some kind of feeling of calm, that right now, in this moment, you are enough just as you are!