Ancient Lakes Trail, Central Washington | © Patrick Kern, 2020
Election day is a month away: Tuesday, November 3. Mark your calendar and vote for the future you want to see in this world. Democracy cannot work without you; do not be deterred. Your voice matters.
Find voter registration options for your state here.
Or, double check your voter registration status in 30 seconds here.
And, stay rested, friends. There is – and will continue to be – important, sea change work to do! This year has leveled up the wakeup call. I guarantee that your community and this planet needs YOU. And they need you healthy, vibrant, focused, and sustainable.
In service of this – our collective community wellbeing – I will keep shouting from the mountaintops: REST IS ESSENTIAL!!
Rest is a key survival skill of the 21st Century... and I've yet to meet anyone who doesn't need more of it. Rest is not just sleep (although sleep is necessary for a well-rested human). It's not just naps. It's not scrolling or screen time. It's not distraction. It is the opposite of distraction.
Rest could be savoring a nourishing meal; it could be dancing, writing, drawing, crafting, singing, sewing, knitting, taking a bath, daydreaming... time spent in nature, bird watching, listening to music you love / a guided visualization / a podcast, sleeping in without an alarm, talking to your bestie on the phone, lounging in your pj's well past morning, curled up with your pet... vacation/staycation, road tripping, a meandering walk, gardening, swimming, practicing yoga... the list goes on and on...
What is deeply restful for your body, mind, and heart? What rejuvenates you at your deepest levels?
Cultivating a rest practice takes commitment and intention. Often we move through our day, from task to task, urgency to urgency, appointment to appointment, without making spaces for any rest. All of us inherently know that when we don't make time for downtime and renewal, we will become depleted, stressed, reactionary, and oftentimes sick. And yet still – despite knowing all this – most of us are challenged in making the time to rest.
So, how do we "make time"? We make time for it exactly how we make time for anything: we choose it. Consciously or unconsciously, it is a choice.
Become clear about the value and benefits of regular, true rest practices in your life.
Recognize who benefits. (Hint: it's not just you!)
Start small.
Give yourself permission to do "nothing" and let inspiration arrive as it may (or may not).
Perhaps make a list of things that are restful for you, if that creates ease.
Put it on your calendar or set a timer to remind you, if necessary!
Notice when you make excuses or avoid it – and how often you choose other things as more important. ;)
Challenge any ingrained notion that your inherent worth is somehow tied to a rigid or limited definition of productivity.
Be kind, curious, and playful as you explore the "joy of missing out".
Savor the moments.
My hope is that when you gift yourself rest on a routine basis and embody the benefits, you will begin to weave it into your daily life!
Read on to see how I'm expanding my fall and winter offerings to create more opportunities for you to pause, rest, and revitalize.
Be kind and rest well,
Nicole