on being mindful.

Mindful ≠ being caught in the chaos of thoughts we have, btw.

In a world perpetually spinning with the chaotic buzz of existence, seeking a place for yourself that is calm is essential. This starts with what’s in your mind. Diving into realms of meditation, the intricacies of our mental health, and embracing the ethereal concept of mindfulness are three key areas to carve out and really understand to get a grasp on ourselves.

Grounding down in Meditation.

Meditation, is probably the most introspective, intimate experience of self exploration. It’s a timeless practice that dates back thousands of years. Its ancient wisdom, safeguarded and carried forward over time by its most sacred practitioners, has surged in contemporary times as a luminous guiding star for those seeking refuge from the chaos that surrounds us. This is particularly seen at events like yoga classes, breathwork workshops and the like. But what does authentic meditation look like, on a 1:1 level?

Imagine a hidden space in your mind, just for you. Meditation grants us the key to this inner sanctuary, where the boundaries between self and universe blur. There’s no chaos. There’s no drama. It’s you and your soul, finding balance.

In meditation, we unburden ourselves from the weight of our own expectations and judgments. We allow ourselves the space and peace to confront our being.

Existence, in itself, is exhausting.

We become observers of our thoughts and can more easily guide them to their resting place; like a spiritual filing cabinet. Here, amidst the stillness, we rediscover our true selves—serene, boundless, and interconnected with the cosmos. It allows us a quiet place to rebalance. Allowing yourself even 10 minutes here each day can be life-changing.

Minding our Mental

Mental health and managing it demands our compassion and understanding; for the self, and as a community. Our minds, souls and bodies require nurturing and care, just like anything else we tend to. Would a garden grow if we didn’t water it?

Picture the mind as a garden, where emotions bloom like vibrant flowers, and thoughts are the roots that anchor our existence. Tending to it, consistently, is a testament to our strength and resilience.

Don’t forget that your body and mind are intricately intertwined, and they function in reflection of the other.

When we prioritize mental health, we prioritize ourselves as a whole.

In the same metaphor of the garden, we need to be nurturing the soil, removing weeds of negativity, and allowing the blossoms of positivity and self-love to flourish. Our mental health is as fragile as a garden, and it doesn’t take much to destabilize it. The better the foundation, the better we thrive.

The Mindfulness Piece

Keeping mindful keeps us completely open and aware. Mindfulness invites us to immerse ourselves in the present moment. It’s the art of being fully alive and savouring life. In our relentless and impatient pursuit of tomorrow, we often overlook what’s happening right in front of us, today.

The practice of mindfulness encourages us to embrace each moment with focus and presence. It’s the bridge that connects our wandering minds with the beauty that surrounds us. With mindfulness, we become attuned to the symphony of life—the rustle of leaves in the breeze, the laughter of a loved one, the fragrance of our person—each exemplifying the joys of our existence. Sometimes, this can be a huge anchor to grip on to when we’re feeling at our lowest.

Mindfulness transforms the mundane into the extraordinary, inviting us to see the world with fresh eyes and an open heart.

It’s a gentle reminder that life is not a destination but a journey—where each step is a celebration.

Will it always feel this way? Nope. But we can practice this as often as possible to try and create an imbalance (for once) where there is more joy to experience than struggles.

Finding Peace in our Problems

Meditation, mental health, and mindfulness are our catalysts for personal transformation.

Meditation empowers us to break free from anxiety and stress, allowing us to approach challenges with a calm and focused mind. It fosters resilience, nurturing the roots of our inner strength.

Mental health, when challenged and embraced, becomes the cornerstone of our well-being as a whole. It enables us to confront our inner demons with courage and compassion, fostering self-acceptance and healing. We replace darkness with light.

Mindfulness allows us to see the world differently. We strive to connect with others on a deeper level, with empathy, understanding, and hope.

As we reflect upon the connectivity of these keys, we realize that this journey is not solitary but collective. We are all interconnected, our stories interwoven. Our experiences, our struggles, and our wins resonate together. We find solace in knowing that countless souls across time have fought for the same sense of serenity. We discover that vulnerability is a universal language that we all speak, fluently. The struggles we face are not unique to us alone; they are threads that bind us to others in empathy and understanding. We find a common ground where the beauty of existence is celebrated together.

In a world that frequently demands more than it gives, meditation, mental health, and mindfulness stand as beacons of faith.

As you continue your journey, remember to pause, to meditate, to nurture your mental health, and to practice mindfulness. In these moments, you will not only discover yourself but also a world enriched with possibilities.

Embrace this journey with a receptive spiri. In the gentle embrace of meditation, the nurturing care of mental health, and the profound practice of mindfulness, you will find not only inner peace but also a deeper connection to the world around you. Ground yourself deeper.

There are things to look forward to. I promise.

—

A

on gut checks.

We are too young to be this tired, sick and sad.

It’s time for a GUT CHECK on Gut Health - inspired by me spending the last week in gut hell. This, from someone who is on top of her probiotic game!

I’m sure some of you have heard the gut referred to as the ‘second brain’, because it’s so deeply connected to our nervous systems and affects our mood, emotions, activity, and behavior — truly, everything. Your gut also contributes heftily to the microbiome, which is our do or die when it comes to immunity, metabolism, digestion, and our holistic wellness from a 360 perspective.

When our guts (ha) are out of whack, problems come into play, like inflammation, pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, depression, brain fog, and everything in between.

It also increases our risks of developing chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. Big nope energy.

That’s why it’s so important to take care of our gut health and keep it in optimal condition! Like a fine tuned machine.

• Eating a balanced diet rich in fiber, probiotics, prebiotics, and fermented foods is SO key. You can have your snacks and your weaknesses, but everything in moderations babes.

• Avoiding processed foods, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and antibiotics - I’m addicted truly to my morning coffee, but this has been a major wake up call for me on exploring my energy at all points so I can ween myself off and get back on track.

• HYDRATE! Drinking plenty of water is NOT optional.

• Get stress low and dopamine high.

• Sleep hygiene - YOU NEED YOUR REST! Know when to take a step back and take that mid-afternoon nap.

• Get moving by exercising regularly to get your body moving and evaluate taking supplements to make sure all of your systems are good and green.

It’s important to note, though, like I led with… that sometimes, even if you do all those things, your gut can still want to fight back. Food poisoning, infection, allergy, intolerance, medication side effects, or simply eating something that doesn’t agree with you. These can disrupt the balance and make it hard to get back on track or feeling well.

That’s what has been happening with me - with a triggered nasty reaction in my gut. It’s kept me off work periodically, glued to my bed, been painful, embarrassing, and frankly exhausting. Our bodies have enough to do each day without having to constantly reset each area.

It reminded me that I need to pay more attention to my gut health and overall wellness, even more than usual. I need to be more mindful of what I eat and how I eat. I need to listen to my body and what it needs - not just when I’m running on empty.

So that’s what I’m doing right now. I’m following some simple tips to boost my gut health and wellness, and wanted to share them in case you’re going through the same thing or want to prevent it from happening. Of course, never meant to replace medical advice or treatment but rather complement them. It’s always good to be braced with knowledge!

Thank you for reading this and taking time for your wellness. We’ll chat more wellness foods soon, when I don’t get triple nauseous even thinking of it (haha).

Stay well,

—

A