Hello Reader,

Do you ever catch yourself in a downward spiral? Maybe you have a headache or your tummy feels off, then you feel tired and out of shape, next you feel like you're behind on everything and you're not being productive, plus you don't even have any friends anymore. WHAT!?
​
Is any of that even true?

But it happens to the best of us from time to time. We spiral down the drain into something that resembles loathing.
​
When that happens to me, I feel very thankful that I have many tools to overcome it before it turns into something else.

Here are my go-tos when things feel rough:

1) I move my body. I do something that reminds me how capable I am. The range of that is very broad. If I'm in an active autoimmune flare, then it could be something extremely gentle, but it has to be strengthening. It's about reminding my body that it's powerful. If I'm feeling physically okay, it might be a bolder move like a huge hike.

2) I realign myself. This also comes in many forms. Realignment can look like something a bit more external, like journaling (getting something out) or reading (putting something in). It can also be an internal process, like practising Pilates to feel physically aligned, or doing breath work to invite myself to come forward.

3) I connect. I might voice message a dear friend, or take my dogs for a walk, letting them choose where we go and what pace. I might go down to the water to watch the birds and seals and surfers. This reminds me that I'm part of something much bigger and I am very much not alone.

4) I clean something. It might be purging a bathroom drawer, scrubbing the kitchen floor, or simply deleting emails in my inbox. And maybe it's the Virgo part of me, but getting things cleared out ALWAYS makes me feel soooo much better.

5) I make a hojicha latte. If you don't know what that is, you can check it out here. Shout-out to Brie, who got me into this. I make my latte in my favourite mug and I go sit outside on my patio and sip it slowly. It grounds me, feels nourishing, and is a ritual to savour.

6) I check in on others. If I'm wrapped up in my own shit, sometimes the best thing I can do is tune in to someone else's story for a bit. Everyone is inside their own life, trying to get by and thrive. Supporting someone else gets me out of my head, and I usually feel grateful for hearing what they're walking with.

7) I give over the day. Sometimes I just need a pity party for myself. Giving in consciously lets me release expectations that I should feel something else. I might pop on a movie, or curl up in my bed with a book. The key to this, for me, is choosing it rather than succumbing to it. When I give over the day, it feels a wee bit indulgent, and then I know tomorrow I'll get to start over.

8) I bake. Making something from scratch feels like an accomplishment, and there's a reward at the end!

9) I fire up the weedwhacker. I know, it's a weird one, but there's something so satisfying to me about cleaning up the yard. Living on an acreage means there's always something that's overgrown. And there's the added bonus of the physical accomplishment of doing hard work. I also love to tend to all my plants, which is a much gentler task.

10) I go up the mountain. Yes, often as a hike, but even a drive does the trick. It's a different perspective and often shakes loose whatever has been gripping me.

This list, of course, is not exhaustive, but I hope there's something here for you, especially if you happen to be going through it.

I'd love to hear your go-tos when you're spiralling too. Feel free to hit reply and share.

Until next time, take very good care.

♥️
Meg

P.S. You don't have to go it alone. Movement is number one on this list for a reason. If you need a boost of inspiration to get moving, hit reply and let's connect!

​
​