Hellobee

Have you ever been driving and so completely tuned out that you arrive at your destination and have no actual memory of getting yourself there? I used to have this all the time (now I have to be fully engaged because I’m driving a scooter on Thailand’s roads). But I would be so consumed by my random thoughts that I had no memory of my actual life during that time. Perhaps tuning out a commute isn’t a big loss, but I’ve found that I still do this in everyday life – space out and miss the richness of the reality right in front of me – so I’ve been working on being more present. Some days feel so full and I think that can feel especially true surrounding holidays, but there’s also so much room for richness, tradition, and peace during this season that I really appreciate.

Here are some ideas for mini-meditations work for me to boost my mood, help me be more grateful to God for little moments, and slow down a little.

– Knead dough (or make bread). I’ve been maintaining a sourdough starter for pizza dough. After my daughter goes to bed, even if I don’t feel like committing to making and freezing pizzas from scratch or baking bread, I usually find it’s worthwhile to take ten minutes to make and freeze dough for a later use. Kneading the dough with my hands feel so good, connects me to an ancient human tradition, and is repetitive in a way that I can match my breathing to.

– Writing a page of thoughts (any thoughts!). After high school, I quit journaling because I looked back and read some of my ramblings and was so embarrassed! This year I’ve embraced it again on occasion, not for keeping records of current dramas, but to purge repetitive thinking patterns, fears, and grudges. Putting them down on paper makes me feel like they were heard or at least acknowledged and helps me let go and move on with my day. And since it’s for that purpose only, I can be real, don’t need to write for an audience, and never need to read them again.

– Sit down and do a few rows of knitting or crocheting or other hobbies. Similarly to kneading dough, I find that doing something with my hands is very relaxing and I can watch where my thoughts wander off to more while my hands are occupied.

– Watch your children explore something new. I’ve never been a dog person, but I am finally coming around after watching my six-month-old daughter light up and try to be near the dog any chance she gets. It’s so beautiful to watch her explore new things, like food, textures, and toys, but she doesn’t get visibly excited about those things like the does about dogs.

– Say a prayer out loud or write down five things you’re grateful for. Gratefulness always helps bring me back, even if I’m stressed about something there’s always so much to be grateful for. The trick for me is to remember to do this when I’m actually stressed because it’s usually the farthest thing from my mind.

– Make a batch of cider or chai tea on the stove. This is particularly incredible because it fills the kitchen and nearby rooms with an amazing smell plus you get to drink it afterward.

– If your kids are old enough to handle it, have a meal by candlelight. I find a scented candle or oil burner is particularly helpful for slowing down and noticing the sweetness of life too.  

– Try an actual meditation. This one is a half hour but I find that body scan meditations are simple and refreshingly scientific especially if you’re put off by the spiritual side of a lot of guided meditations. I used guided meditations by Jon Kabat Zinn to practice breathing and control in the weeks leading up to labor and I want to make it more of a priority in my life post birth.