It is so exciting to be popping my pen to paper and writing my very first Soul Fuelled Living column. I am laughing inside right now at the irony of life. And the subtle synchronicities which appear to us along the way.
I began life as a Sussex girl. Born in Crowborough and I grew up in Mayfield. Now sitting in my new home surrounded by The Andalusian hills I feel warmed by this reconnection to my roots.
And it got me thinking…
May is the month when nature literally comes to life around us. The green hills of Sussex burst into life with bleating and buds. And the same for you too after a long lockdown, you are finally emerging from your homes.
When talking with friends, colleagues, and clients around the world, who are re-emerging from the global pandemic, there appear to be three corresponding themes that people wish to keep in their routines:
Spending more time with family
Sharing more time in nature
Making life simpler
How to master the less is more philosophy in life
All of the above are certainly making an appearance as I begin to integrate back into society. I am loving the learnings from mastering a simpler life. And allowing myself time to just me!
Is this something that you are hoping to keep in your day-to-day life too?
Each month I will be sharing 3 self-care tips that work with the seasons and the cyclical patterns of nature. Inviting you to cultivate a self-care regime that brings balance and awareness into your daily life. Sound good?
Elevating you into action
Starting with a self-care regime can bring up resistance. Excuses like we don’t have enough time. Not sure where to start. Or simply that we would rather look after someone else’s needs than our own, pop up like barriers to keep us in survival mode as opposed to flourish and grow mode.
Here are 3 self-care techniques for you to try throughout May. Helping you to master the less is more philosophy in life and cultivate time just for you.
- Walk away from the environment you spend the most time in – walk away and towards a new space. Be it outside or in your home. What do you like about this space? Why don’t you spend as much time here as you do there? How can you make this space more appealing?
- Choose one piece of food which you love. (For me it would be a piece of dark chocolate!) And set a timer for 2 minutes – take the next 2 minutes to digest this food – savoring and noticing any new textures and tastes.
- Breathe in through your nose 3-5 times. I want you to begin to feel the cold air moving up and over the cilia, the tiny hairs in your nose. Now shift your attention to the exhale – as you breathe out can you feel the change of temperature of the air? Repeat 5-10 times enjoying the calming state achieved from this simple yet effective self-care exercise.
Finally, promise me new friend that you will cherish those green roaming hills that this Sussex girl in Spain loves so much.
Natalie is an author, wellbeing coach, radio presenter, and yoga and meditation teacher. She is the founder of the yoga wear brand Yummy Yoga Girl and Light The Way Podcast. You can access Natalie’s free wellbeing resources at her online academy Cosmic Soul Academy
Amazing Natalie , well done . Can’t wait for the next one . 👍
It’s so important to take the time to think of and act on these things after such a trying start to a decade. Thank you for posting this great piece, Natalie!
Thought provoking article, one of the positives to come out of lockdown has been to appreciate nature and the beautiful countryside in which we are lucky enough to live.
Wonderful article thanks Natalie. I have always loved the Sussex countryside – it’s easy to take it for granted and not realise how special a place it is until you’ve left so it’s nice to acknowledge the unique appeal. Look forward to visiting the Andalusian Hills one day too!
Great advice. Look forward to reading more from you .