Why Mindfulness is so Important

A few weeks ago, I was so, so burnt out.

🥱 My 1-year-old's sleep was erratic - She'd take hours to go down, wake up at 3am, or BOTH!

💸 The cost of living was creating financial stress for my children's counselling private practice, and in turn my own family's finances.

🤹 I felt overwhelmed from constantly trying to but seemingly failing to juggle parenting, my biz, housework, cooking, life admin - ALL THE THINGS!

😞 I couldn't seem to find time for self-care. I alternated between feeling lethargic and frenzied; defeated and numb.

⏳ I hadn't had a break from work since starting back in Jan, with a then 5-month old, and Malia was now 13 months old!

So I took 6 days off work, and I had a BREAK. A break from constantly multi-tasking and frantically running from one area of my life to another. A break from planning out in my head how to get things done as efficiently as possible. A break from the unfair self-criticism that I wasn't doing enough.

Unconsciously I found myself gravitating towards mindful activities that I'd forgotten about, like:
📒Journalling
🧘 Meditation with the Smiling Mind app
✍️ Reflecting on a book my dad gave me about LETTING GO, and thoughtfully working through the unhelpful stories I tell myself
🛋️ Relaxing with Gwenda Bond's book about heist art thieves with magic (Great read!)
🍾 A peaceful glass of wine at lunch
👫 Hand-held walks with Malia and my hubby in the sunshine

By the end of the 6 days, I felt more inspired, motivated, hopeful and energetic.

I didn't need to go anywhere fancy, or take a month off.

I just needed to connect with the PRESENT MOMENT and CONNECT WITH MYSELF.

Don't get me wrong, I most definitely still have difficult and overwhelming days, but I've reminded myself of the simple things that help me BE ME. And I need to BE ME if I want to keep supporting my family, my team and my clients.

I'd love to hear what helps you BE YOU? 🌞