January - is all about the rest...

First is
permission
for slumber
and rest.
I am tired
so tired
need time
to refresh.


Whenever I find myself escaping the world (or barking at it), it dawns on me rather late in the day how damn tired I am. Binge watching tv and late nights, persistently poor sleep, busy / hectic days and just a general malaise of my day to day routine are all contributors for me. When we make a conscious effort to take some time off from the race it can be quite the revelation of where and how we are being drained. We all have stuff we need to get done in our lives, that is reality, but those “must” things can get wrapped in a whole lot of drama, worry and frazzle that can be self-induced. Taking some time out to heal from this and be aware of our role in these fatigue feeders can be quite an eye opener.

So our first goal for the year is rest. Admit that we are tired and take the time to recuperate. The “I really should’s” of the day can take a little step back. Rest for you may be as easy as going to bed early, decreasing your caffeine and cancelling an engagement, but I’ll bet it isn’t really as simple as that. A lot of tiredness for me comes from inside my head as well as tiredness in my body.

Imagine taking a rest from the chatter both in life and online, a break from the repetitive stories we keep telling ourselves to understand experiences. Wouldn't it be nice to silence that nagging voice that tells you, you should be doing more, or should be more? If we could take a more mental rest, what space would we have left for more positive flows of energy?

If this starts working for you, build on those energies, save them rather than jumping into stuff too soon. There is plenty of time. If you do have to nag yourself then nag yourself to be a little kinder to yourself, to do a little less and then to do a little less, more. If you catch yourself with a repetitive anxiety or anger – try to let it through you rather than holding onto to it and giving it more energy than you have right now. I don’t think this is going to be easy, making it all the more necessary. How hard is it for you to rest or relax without flitting to something else, or feeling the guilt or sensing a panic set it? I think it will be hard, but I think it will be very interesting too. We are going to get a true awareness of where our time and our energy go in just a few weeks, which gives us the power to control it in the future.

Feeling uncomfortable already with the idea? I know me too, we know ourselves too well hey! We don’t have to be perfect with it – we aren’t going to change over night with our running arounds or our monkey brains, but if we do try to be aware then the change will come. I’m quite sure of it. GOOD LUCK everyone, go forth and enjoy some happy ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ’s and feet up, chill times this month of January. I give you absolute permission!

An Introduction

Hello and welcome to my 2018 project “Journeying out from under the covers…when your world is large and loud.”

Every month I will go through a page of our book or calendar and write a little blurb about it. Although I created this project with my own ideas of what I needed to face a noisy world – I hope some of it will resonate for you too.

The simplicity of the words I have found helpful to use, almost as a mantra, when I find myself in those situations where the theme seems to fit. I used that darn fear one over and over as I lay in the dentist chair waiting for a tooth extraction and am quite sure I will use it again!
I find the words for support hold me up when I miss people and it helps me to focus and remember all those people who support me now or have been my guide.

Each page offers another layer of understanding & support that we can build upon.
As I hide under my duvet, each thought can bring out a toe, a foot, a leg.
Bit by bit we surface.
There is surviving in the world and there is thriving.
My hope is that by December our arms will be outstretched to the landscape with nothing but gratitude for all that has been. This is our completion. We come now with our own knowledge, strength, awareness and a stronger sense of self so the world can't deafen us again.

Thank you so much for visiting, reading, enjoying and venturing on your own journey out from under those covers.
This project is there for you as and when you need! See you on Jan 1st 2018.

December - is all about the crazy (and stopping it!)

This post goes out to people who don’t love Christmas!
Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!
Eggnog, mince pies and joyful carols.
Gift demands and over drinking the Baileys demands.
Forced happiness and tight, raspy breaths
as you look at your list of to dos,
while icing 6,000 cookies for your neighbourhood exchange
& where is that damn elf?
Phew!
This time of year isn’t easy
and it can be extra hard when
it sharpens our focus on the people we miss,
the people who used to be near,
the Christmases we used to have.
The pull of family is so strong
and that can bring it’s own sadness,
stress, and disappointment.


Early December is the perfect time to sit and think.
What does Christmas mean to me?
Now, before you get swooped up in the should’s,
the expectations, the demands,
sit on that comfy armchair and place those feet firmly on the floor.
Ground yourself. Close your eyes. Listen to your thoughts and your answers.
Note the ones that say…at Christmas I like to …,
Not the ones that say…at Christmas I should be, or have to or must…
At Christmas I like to.
You like to what? Write that down. Maybe you have 3 things, maybe more.
It won’t be a lengthy list. It will be the precious things
and it is those precious things that are going to set your mood for the season.
If you are sharing your Christmas with other people (little or big) ask them too.
What is their favourite thing to do? Let them choose a thing to add to your list – is it still looking manageable? Great!!
This is your master list – this is how you decide your future yes’s and no’s.
Is it on the list? Yes – great – check it off?
Is it on the list, no? Sorry no can do this year!
A master list for the season could really help manage the season,
maybe even enjoy it. Ho Ho Ho.

Wishing you all a truly happy holiday!