I don't know about you, but I'm not feeling quite feeling the summer-vibe this year. Maybe it has something to do with the lack of sunshine (well, here in Bury, anyway!). Maybe it's being self-employed with two children off school for 6 weeks?! Maybe (and this is probably the most likely!) I've just not been practising as much self-care as I should.
It's hard, in the chaos of summer holidays, to find that little moment of peace and calm, but it's absolutely something worth doing.
I've had a kind talk with myself this weekend, and decided to consciously make that time for myself. I have started to use my Headspace app again (it got deleted when my phone threw a wobbly over storage!); I've run a 7 day positive mindset challenge on my Facebook page (did you do it?!) to remind myself of the importance of acknowledging the positives, my strengths, qualities and achievements. I have tried to take some time for myself in the day to read, for pleasure, not work.
And I restocked my lovely tea chest, with some delicious fruit and herbal teas. Tonight's choice? Pukka's Chamomile, Vanilla & Manuka Honey tea. "It's a cup that invites stillness so you are restored. One that in the midst of chaos and clutter, there’s a beautiful still pool." And, do you know what? It really does work! A calming tea in my Grandma's cup, and I'm already feeling calmer (despite, ironically, running up and down stairs multiple times as I write this because one child needs to tell me what's happening in her book and the other cannot find the teddy he desperately needs - it is in the bottom of the toy box where it has been abandoned for weeks!)
It doesn't sound much, I guess - an app, a book and a brew. But it's those little things, those small steps, that are the first on the path to finding or rediscovering that inner calm. Sometimes, we can sidetracked and take a different path, but we can always find our way again.
To find out more about the services available to help you find your own calm within, please do click on the Services tab, or get in touch.
Disclaimer: any reference to products, apps, etc is purely personal opinion/preference, and it is not my intention to endorse or promote one product over another.