Getting back on track

Ever feel like things have gotten a little off track? 

(I’m talking about our personal lives here. In terms of the global, even the collective, things have absolutely gone off the rails. It’s all burning in a ditch. And this matters, it’s the context of our lives right now. But for now, let’s focus on what we can control in this moment: our own limited, precious lives.) 

They say: We are what we eat. We’re the sum of the people we hang out with. I even believe we are what we read, what we think about.  

But how often do we take time to stop and assess the situation? How often do we make conscious decisions about what we’re consuming, how we’re molding our lives our of each small choice we make? And then, waking up for some lucid and uncomfortable moments, how often are we alarmed with the state of our lives, our spirits, our relationships. How often do we look up only to realize we’ve gotten way off track?

Perhaps you’re feeling that way these days, looking up to realize how far you are from your original dreams, your childhood plans, your true calling. 

We spend so much of our time chasing down the latest trends, grinding ourselves to a pulp at work, and then recovering by partaking in some well-deserved self care over the weekend. Or we fill the void inside by busily taking care of other people's needs and feelings. We distract ourselves in the name of being of service. 

The antidote to all this is to stop and breathe. Full stop, pull the plug on the tape.

If you’ve been following me for a bit, you know it’s always going to be the the seriously simple stuff that I write about.

But the simplest stuff can be the hardest to do.

When was the last time you took a conscious breath? Have you taken one today?

When was the last time you had nothing to do? Most of us can’t fathom that these days, when we have an automatic reflex to reach for our phones for a dopamine hit of entertainment or “connection” or productivity.

What about that obsessively consistent mental to-do list that’s always running in the background of your mind. Do you know how to turn it off? Or at least turn it down?

When I was first introduced to the art of taking a sacred pause, I remember the panic that would set in. A flood of anxiety that was loud and shrill. Like I was finally closing the door on the noice of the world outside, just to realize the chaos inside was infinitely more stressful. But with practice I learned how to quiet it all down. Just for moments at a time. Not as an escape, but a practice in living meditation. And deep changes came from that small effort to try a new way.

Life moves at a break-neck pace. And there’s not a lot we can do about all that’s going on around us. What I’ve learned in almost a half-century on this planet is that true power comes from slowing down. Pulling back to look at the big picture. Taking that pause before responding—maybe a moment, a few days, or maybe a month of Sundays. 

We have a choir. We don’t have to get so caught up in the swirling world around us that we lose ourselves. 

The key to living out the lives we’ve always hoped and longed for, isn't winning the lottery or finally finding a soul-mate. 

It’s finding and practicing the art of slowing down and paying attention to what is. The very same micro decisions that have led us so off course, can be tweaked ever-so slightly to get us back on track. But only if we pay attention.

Stop. Breathe. It all starts there.

Then there’s a noticing. What’s going on around you, right now? What do you hear? Have you let the smells around you seep into your consciousness?

Then it can settle in a little deeper. How is that heart rate? No need to change it. Just notice. When did that little pain start, or has it finally disappeared somehow?

Have you ever tried to eat fast food slowly and mindfully? Chewing every bite a bazillion times and honestly savoring the experience? Your body will tell you loud and clear that it does not appreciate what you are doing. You can’t even chew a commercial french fry  more than a couple bites before it disintegrates (and you may not know this already so I’ll hint at some of the nutritional education I do with my clients: chewing is essential.) 

When we stop to pay attention, we can start to feel again what is true. What is right here under our feet or in front of our face. In everything from careers to relationships to our fitness and wellness, the answers we seek really are right here, ours for the taking. If only we can slow down and see them. 

Personally, I want to be more present, more aware of each moment. Especially those I get to share with my kid. She’s still small, but she’s growing fast, and every day she’s some new version of herself. I don’t want to miss it.

And being there for her moments means I have to tune out a lot of other stuff. Some of it can be uncomfortable to say no to, but for the glow of a beautiful child, it’s not that hard. No, I can’t take on that project. No, I can't be at your event. 

The more you do it, the easier it gets, I promise. 

And now I’m even able to turn that loving attention on myself sometimes.

No, I can’t stress out about that, because my peace is too precious to me.

No I can’t make time for that, because that would mean giving up time with my family, or myself (gasp!).

No I can’t feel bad about that, because I want to be fully present in THIS moment, and I can’t be the kind of person who shows can show up that way if I’m carrying around all this baggage from the past.

As a nutritionist and a wellness coach (reach out, I have a couple slots for new clients opening up this fall y’all!), I've seen time and time again that we’re all struggling with the same stuff. 

Isolation, low self-worth, distractions disgusted as wellness that keep us spinning in our tracks. 

And we all want and need and deserve the same thing: A little grace. Some genuine connection. Places to show up as our true selves. Whole nutritious food. Hydration. Rest. A chance to really help someone else, to have a positive impact on the world around us. 

These are the basics. 

And aligning by what we eat, read, the people and ideas we spend time with, with what we truly value and want out of life, we can live out those dreams. We can finally get back on track. \

As always, reach out if you want to talk more about this. And let’s connect if you’d like to explore wellness or mindset coaching with me. (I actually have two spots opening up shortly, and I’d love to make room for you in my schedule.)

Creatively and compassionately yours,

Marit