Autumn is here and paints mesmerizing colors into the landscape.
Each day consists of many moments.
Like the leaves in the image above, many moments web and accumulate together like a stream:
they create the life you live.
When are the moments that really matter?
Moments that matter and habits are the themes of this article.
The definition of habit as I looked it up:
Habit, deriving from Habitat:
“The natural environment in which an animal or a plant lives.”
We as human beings live in our habitat, and each day the habitat and our habits have an influence on how we live, feel, and interact.
There are many different sorts of habits:
physical, emotional, and cultural ones-
All of these can be either supportive for You … or sabotaging You!
Today, I’d like to zoom in with you on examples of physical and emotional habits.
They are often closely interconnected,
as the body and the mind influence each other constantly.
Here are three examples of supportive habits from my daily life:
– a cup of coffee in the morning in silence:
It helps me to start the day in peace and get focused for the day.
– a morning movement practice:
It helps me to connect to my body and ground myself.
– the ability to set and keep boundaries:
It helps me to feel free and safe in many situations.
What are YOUR supportive habits?
If you have them: keep them.
If you don’t, or you struggle to build them, please read on.
It’s not easy to change your habits.
In moments of stress, we often instinctively resort to the habitual conditioning we have.
Recently I read the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear.
Thanks to Albert Sola through whom I got into possession of this book.
The essence of the book is that big changes are made of small, atomic moments that contribute to the bigger picture.
All the many moments pile up like a stream. to make the change that you wish for yourself, and to be the person you wish to be.
Here are 4 guidelines on how you can make them work for you:
Make a habit :
– 1) obvious: Have a clear trigger to start
– 2) attractive: Do something that you like
– 3) easy: Don’t put the barre too high- or too low!
– 4) satisfying: Reward yourself
What can get in the way of creating a supportive habit?
Very popular:
emotional or mental sabotage.
1) Negative thinking.
The worst-case scenarios can create a whole prison in your head.
2) It is not enough.
There are always things that could be better, another job, a different partner, that world trip that you still have not made yet…the list is never finished – EVER!
The thriving for other things or not being happy with what is there unless it is 100 % perfect…and the missing out on what IS actually there.
What can You do to change THAT
habit?
Appreciation of what Is there for you NOW.
Appreciate the people that are in your life now,
the job that you have, your friends, your family, the way it IS now.
Welcoming the state of Now from the base of abundance -instead of scarcity.
Make time for regular Yoga Practice or go for a walk in the park, or a run.
Have a heart talk with a friend, or make time for that exchange with a group of people that gives you inspiration.
Strive for small moments of inner peace and inspiration…
Example of my movement practice:
For years already, I’ve had a regular movement practice, carried out preferably every morning of the week.
It derived originally from Yoga, but as I am an eclectic human being with the desire to constantly explore, combine and fine-tune I used various somatic practices, from Bartenieff Fundamentals, Body Mind Centering, Tensegrity, fascial work with tennis balls, working with weights and crowns.
All that ultimately resulted in a series of exercises that I gave the name:
It usually takes 75-90 min.
The exercises are slow, sensing, elongating and more in Yin Style.
Always: meditation at the end.
As the topping on the cake of exercise.
Hence, I figured it was time to add
some fast, rhythmic and more cardio-orientated parts to that.
I got ropes.
Jumping Ropes.
You must know that I hate jumping, and running as well.
It has to do with my build and mainly with my boobs.
Nature has blessed me with quite prominent ones,
so they have their own dynamics during jumping and running…
All women who read this now and who have similar features might know what I mean.
Regardless, I made the decision to add a 2-minute rope jumping routine to my daily practice.
Hell, why? If I hate jumping…
I noticed that when I change my rhythm and add some speed to my favorite slow and steady pace
it helps me to be able to switch between fast and slow actions in daily life.
So, here is the road map to build that habit:
- 1) obvious: Have a clear trigger to start
I integrate it into the routine I already do.
The ropes hang in Henry’s Pelvis, which are in my eyesight as I practice.
- 2) attractive: Do something that you like
Well, I love my practice to the moon and back.
I don’t like the action of jumping, so I combine the two with each other.
- 3) easy: Don’t put the barre too high- or too low! So very low-key, to be able to make it. Gradually I added minutes each week.
- 4) satisfying: Reward yourself
- After I complete the 1-2 min
- -which leaves me with an accelerated heartbeat, and in a state of:
- YES, I did it!
I started with 1 min, for each side.
I throw the ropes in the corner with satisfaction and pride.
Ultimately, I take some moments to calm my breathing
and then reward myself with the finishing meditation.
Of course, you can choose different movement practices, rituals, or routines, but the road map of how to make it from the intent to the feasible action and hence to your reality is the same.
Let me know how your experiences are!
PS: this article was also featured in REMO Movement Magazine.
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