It is only temporary, make it count
Recently, I found out that a dear friend, one of my adopted grandmothers actually, is in hospice. It is a strange reminder to cherish the time we do have.
While one of her friends messaged to let me know to call her, I felt some guilt because I hadn’t seen her in a year or so. At least since my son was born.
Life has a weird way of dealing out lessons woven into pain and grief.
I took Jameson to visit with her in the rehab facility, we sat outside and as he tried to run away like the wild little thing he is, she simply could not get a big smile off of her face.
The duality of youth and elders in one space together holds so much weight in the wisdom of the world.
Somewhere in between the two we get so lost.
We get caught up in things, materials, perceptions, and lies that truly do not matter.
In infancy and childhood : we have this way about us. A curious mind and heart that leads us into the creative unknown about who we could be or what we might find.
In later life, we reflect back on our life. Share stories that might never be told about people who have since passed. We try to cling to the last bit of time and materials we have left. We gift that last few things to the people who matter.
We go out just as unexpectedly as we came in.
This experience is different for me to process this time. As I see my son, I know time will slip through our fingers. As every parent ever has shared, cherish these moments because one day you will wonder where they went.
Soaking in the slow release of life, honoring the life of my sweet sweet Florence, I realize that the only thing that matters is the love we give and receive.
And of course in the words of Florence, “you only need the two G’s : God and Garlic”.
Keep Going!
When the going is easy, it is inevitable to fall into comfort.
When we are met with resistance, our nervous system sends flags up.
Depending on your training and conditioning, you may be more sensitive to these flags, or you may turn inward and move accordingly.
What is informing your choice and behaviors?
Watch the fluctuations of your nervous system.
Become the observer.
Instead of reacting, (which you are probably feeling).
Sit, pause, and breathe.
Now you have a choice, to sit on the edge and witness or react as always.
What is in line with your values and goals?
You are the creator of your reality.
Choose accordingly.
~ 75 HARD ~
75 hard is a challenge that my friend Brynn shared with me. I had never heard of it until a few weeks ago.
I responded, “when are we starting”.
Her response, “tomorrow”.
And here we are a few weeks later. Now for clarity, we ran full speed with this idea. Instantly noticing the results even on day one. I noticed how energetic I felt simply from hydrating! As someone who has been in the health and wellness space for about 15 years, I thought obviously I drank enough water! But, I did not.
Fast forward, we did decide to start over after day 12 bc we both had life things happen (sick human baby and injured fur baby). But it was a NO BRAINER. Duh, we were sticking to the program and obviously going to honor the guidelines and start over.
While I was searching online, I couldn’t find an infographic I liked, so I created this one above! In addition with a few language shifts here and there to be more in line with my values and intentions.
As always,
𝓢𝓽𝓪𝔂 𝓖𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓭, 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝔂 𝓖𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰
Gratefully
Megan
Release that Which is NOT Meant for YOU
How often do we get stuck in the flow of life.
Checking boxes, doing all the things, only to find we are simply not fulfilled or “happy”.
We followed the plan, but still something is missing.
We never stopped to ask ourselves what WE truly want.
Maybe you were so caught up in your romantic relationship that you forgot to pause and return back to your own sense of self.
Maybe you were so caught up in work that the countless hours of unpaid overtime has deeply weighed on your soul and you are not quite sure how you got so lost.
Maybe you were so caught up in raising babies, you forgot to raise and nurture yourself.
The truth is, regardless of the story, losing ourselves in something else is culturally supported. Enmeshment and codependency are at the center of most family dynamics unfortunately.
While we idolize individualism as a society, we have an F*’d up way of showing it.
UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS DISCONNECT US FROM OURSELVES.
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS CONNECT US TO OURSELVES.
This is my mantra right now.
Those relationships that are healthy should challenge you, spark creativity, enhance you, offer space for growth, and inevitability change you in the best way possible.
We need community and people to connect with and support us along the way. And those healthy communities also provide space for us to better know ourselves.
While uncomfortable, letting go of that which does not serve us is imperative to grow. It will hurt. There is a grieving process associated with the loss of relationships no matter how toxic they are.
When it boils down to it, you are attracted to certain relationship dynamics because that is what you know.
Depending on how love was given to you as a child, no matter how unhealthy or toxic, your nervous system acknowledges that pattern as love.
When we are born, the only part of our nervous system that is built is the parasympathetic nervous system, and specifically the dorsal vagal reflex (freeze). This keeps us safe from predators in life or death situations.
TRAUMA WARNING * That being said, the rest of our nervous system is calibrated off of our caregivers…
So, depending on who raised you in the first few years of life, that is who essentially calibrated the early most deeply rooted workings of your nervous system.
Not to go too deep in my own story, but I was raised by two emotionally unstable humans. My mother, a depressed, bi-polar, un-purposed, lost human in active addiction. And my father, a young, narcissistic, workaholic. Their relationship as I remember was very toxic and violent, I’ve had a lot of subconscious memories pop up through out the past few years.
I say this as a reference point. While we can sit here today and say, “well I’ve healed that inner child part of me” or “I’ve distanced myself from those people” (6 hours away in fact, and blocked numbers) or “that isn’t who I am now, I’m different and that has no weight in my life”.
I encourage you to step back. Look at your life as an observer, as a witness. No judgement. Zoom out and just look.
These core memories, behaviors, and patterns, while they may not be a part of your life at this point, the ties of living in a dysfunctional family have threads so deep within us its inevitable they are playing out some how.
Consider those times when you are exhausted and burned out. How do you react?
Consider the narrative you might tell yourself about the world.
Consider your emotional states of anxiety, fear, depression, uncertainty.
Consider how it feels to approach the unknown.
While we may be doing the work, there is a corner or crevasse, or a giant sink hole in my case, that could possibly be addressed.
Thoughts to move forward :
Find professional support : I believe everyone should be appointed a therapist at birth lol. Therapy is a good container to have an objective view into your life by someone you don’t know.
Become the witness : notice your patterns and tendencies. Ask yourself, do these align with my values and goals? Get REAL here.
Consider your community : do you have a community around you that is nourishing or that inspires you to be better? We are social beings. We need community. If you notice you have had the same people in your life for 20 years but you feel bad shifting our of that group, do a quick inventory. Do these people support your growth or limit your growth?
Aparigraha : Non-attachment or non-grasping is one of the Yamas or restraints come from yogic philosophy. This concept leads us to release that which does not serve us. To let go and let god. We can attach to a variety of things: people, material things, places, jobs, but most of all delusions about the future. Some times we must get really real. Note the truth, and move from there.
My intention with this post was short and sweet. Well it simply didn’t come out that way :) But I hope there were some nuggets of wisdom and reference points to support your journey.
As always,
𝓢𝓽𝓪𝔂 𝓖𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓭, 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝔂 𝓖𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰
Gratefully
Megan
Momentum Creates More Momentum
Have you ever heard to start small?
Add one habit at a time to see slow sustainable growth?
There is some truth to that, I also would like to highlight the possibilities of expanding that narrative.
The more you lock in(layer in the habits you desire to live) the more energy you will have rushing towards your goals. Keep in mind those little dopamine hits every time you check something off the list, or complete another building block of your goal.
I recently started the 75 hard challenge with a friend.
First off, I thought I drank enough water… I’ve been in the health and wellness industry for over 15 years at this point. Water is a basic a$$ habit that is a no-brainer. But obviously I had become slightly disconnected from it.
I was probably drinking about half as much water as I should have been drinking.
Next, while I was reading quite often, I wasn’t ever carving actual intentional time out to read. I was simply cracking a book at 11pm only to get through a page and a half and fall asleep with a book on my face. For the last 2 weeks, this intentional reading time not only has me finishing books! (I am a chronic book unfinisher) but it also has me thinking, synthesizing information, and making conscious shifts in my day to day life.
Obviously I am writing a blog again, which I say again but I never really have gotten much into blogging because I was too afraid to put myself out there. But again simply another thing to note!
Layering in habits and building the momentum will astronomically launch you forward wayyyy past anything you could even imagine.
All it takes is conscious intentional effort, commitment, and discipline.
As always,
𝓢𝓽𝓪𝔂 𝓖𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓭, 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝔂 𝓖𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰
Gratefully
Megan
Discipline is Self Care
In the era of “moss girl not Boss Girl” , I’m here to discuss self care from the lens of DISCIPLINE.
In order to get clear, I like to consider my values and SMART goals. In order to stay on my path, these circulate my being through out each day. I reconnect to my WHY to remember who the F I am and what I need to be doing.
Now, I am not advocating that “boss girl” is better or superior to “moss girl”. We need to be both.
In my personal experience, my boss girl discipline and routine creates a wonderful container for me to step into the abundance and expansiveness of my moss girl vibes ~
But again, our society wants us to other and identify with one, which is BS because we are inherently both!!
This leads me into my next thought, comfort.
As a Yoga Therapist and personal trainer, I often use and hear the language “do what ever is comfortable” or “do what feels good”.
Now I’ve been super curious about this statement. Is that what I actually mean? No. I don’t mean that.
I think it is important to consider the following in our own lives and also while cueing others :
Values + Goals
Observe your “felt sense” in this very moment
Do an inventory ~ find what YOU need in this very moment
Considerations
What you need might not be comfortable!!
Growth and change isn’t comfortable. In fact it is typically quite uncomfortable
Discomfort isn’t “bad”
Can you lean into discomfort and be curious about the process?
Can you EMBODY the process?
Not distract yourself
Not disassociate
But truly be in the moment, notice what is coming up in your body and mind when discomfort surfaces
To wrap, We Got This! There isn’t a book, person, professional, or program to tell us how to do this life. Each moment is an opportunity to observe, listen to what our body is telling us, and then show up for ourselves accordingly.
We are human BEINGs not human doings
Do you ever find yourself rushing from one thing to the next, thinking “I can just relax once I do XY and Z” ?
This is the trap of the matrix.
Today I give this shit up!
In our society today, we have be sold the narrative that our worth is in doing. That only if we have the job, the family, do the things, look the part, have the thriving side business, have a fit body, and on top of that be a stable “happy” person with a hefty savings/smart investments, the list could go on forever and it does.
Social media only reinforces these false ideals with picture perfect (insert the algorithm for you here).
This is not how we are supposed to live!
One day back in 2014 I was sitting in the breakfast area of a bustling hotel in Delhi, India. While sipping on some fresh watermelon juice a Tibetan monk in his orange kasaya sat down next to me. We chatted for a bit, the usual small talk of “what brought you here, where are your travels leading you?”. The main part of the conversation that will always permeate my being is this :
I asked him what he thought the biggest differences between Westerners way of living and the way he chooses to live. His answer was effortless and gentle ~ “well, westerners are always doing, working, going somewhere, doing something. While we choose to sit in presence and just being. We are human beings and not human doings after all”.
This idea hit me like no other. It also happened to be a jet lagged day 2 of a 20 something day trip that was full of course work and activities, so I had plenty of time to marinate in the essence of this statement.
And well obviously now I have had 11 years to consider it now, but why am I still hustling to finish the never ending to do list? Why am I still so anxious about the sink of dishes and piles of laundry?
Well, because when neurons fire together they wire together. From a yogic lens these pathways in our brain are called samskaras or pathways of the past which continue to strengthen as we continue the action/pattern.
Each moment, each day we have a new opportunity to practice this test.
Do you approach the mountain of a todo list and grind until the candle is burned out and smoking?
Or do you decide your nonnegotiable tasks, layer in self care and things that bring you back to life, and move intentionally through your day?
The choice is ours. This is how we can take back the power and live an intentional life.
I get it. Discipline is important. But let’s get real, some insta influencer can’t tell you your ideal morning routine. Only you can uncover that for yourself!
I challenge you to sit in the seat of the observer. Watch when your emotions flare up and become chaotic. Recall what led up to that point. Ask yourself how you played a part in it. Without shame or judgement, just witness. This is all information.
From here think about if these actions / ways of being are inline with your values and intentions for living. If not, now you have the data to craft an action plan to shift those actions.
Remember : take time to JUST BE. You are not your titles or accomplishments or children or household. You are YOU. A beautiful life filled being. You deserve the space to uncover who that truly is. Find them in the stillness. The pause between the breath.
As always,
𝓢𝓽𝓪𝔂 𝓖𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓭, 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝔂 𝓖𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰
Gratefully
Megan
How do you connect to your spirit?
Can you remember a time that you were connected to spirit?
A time where you felt free, alive, wild? Feral if you will.
Now consider what you were doing in that time. Maybe the activities or sensations pre-date the space you are in now. Maybe life, work, grief, marriage, kids, toxic relationships, have put a wedge between you and this feeling.
The beauty of life and awareness is that we have the capacity to create.
Just this prompt, allowing you to consider and analyze, could be the simple catalyst you needed to revisit the feeling.
Now maybe surfing in Costa Rica isn’t accessible to you right this moment, but a quick bop in the woods or a dip in the river might be.
If getting out into nature isn’t accessible, think about how you can craft nature in your space. Maybe create an altar with some of your favorite pieces of nature, go harvest some wild flowers, or nurture a house plant.
With that being said, DO NOT dismiss the power of nature.
While it seems far off, we are natural beings meant to be in tune with the natural cycles of mama earth.
Rain or shine : get out there!!!
As always,
𝓢𝓽𝓪𝔂 𝓖𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓭, 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝔂 𝓖𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰
Gratefully
Megan
Meal Prep 101
Meal prepping is an amazing way to create routine and structure around nourishing our bodies. It not only gives us the ability to be more intentional with our meals but also be more intentional with the quality and sustainability of nourishment throughout the week.
I know, life can be so busy. The pressures of work, relationships of all kinds, our desire to explore our hobbies, etc can be overwhelming sometimes. Something that has helped me is to reframe my mindset around grocery shopping and meal prepping is honoring this time and space as self care time needed to nourish my body.. I know that inorder to move in line with my values each day that I need to NOURISH my body with whole foods. We are Goddesses after all (*straightens witchy flower and thorn crown*).
Meal Prep Strategies
1. Set your Goals!
Getting clear on your intentions for meal prepping will give you a solid foundation to return to when it feels challenging or you need your reminder! Here are some questions to facilitate setting your goals:
Why are you thinking of meal prepping?
Ex. Saving time, being more organized, eating healthier, to reduce food waste, to improve work/life balance, to make sure you are eating enough, to improve the quality of what you are eating, etc
How will meal prepping support your overall Life goals?
Ex. “Nourishing my body on the daily will support my mind and mood in order to show up in my relationships in a way that is inline with my values”
2. Start small!
So often when we are cultivating new habits we want to do it all. Start with one batch meal for lunch/dinner and a breakfast or a few that you can make your choice throughout the week.
Examples
1 crockpot/oven pot dish
1 batch of rice or quinoa
Mason jar salads
Breakfasts: Smoothies, oatmeal, whole grain cereal, fruit with nut butter, toast with avocado/nut butter, breakfast burrito
3. Figure out your Cooking Methods
While some kitchen appliances can make batch cooking easier, they are truly not necessary! You can start meal prepping at any time with a stove, oven, and even just a microwave. It can be easy to fall into the mindset of “oh, I don’t have this or that so I can’t meal prep”. Let me tell you, there are always workarounds!
Some other helpful appliances:
Crockpot: great for soups, stews, curries, etc. I always see them at Goodwill, or very affordable from box stores.
Instapot: This thing Rocks. I’m not even going to lie, I am not the best at cooking rice, so this thing really saved me. It also is great for cooking dried beans!
What meals am I creating this week?
What tools/appliances can I use to create them?
4. Schedule a Low-Stress Shopping/Cooking day
This is so important. We want to give ourselves the time and space to plan, shop, and then cook to NOURISH our bodies! Set a day or two each week where you will shop for groceries. This can be after work or on a day off. Then, pick a day when you can set about 4 hours aside to prepare your meals. Now of course this can be on the same day, but it can be helpful to split it up if your schedule doesn’t allow for a full day.
What day/time would be a good day for grocery shopping?
What day/time would work for meal prepping?
5. Prep Ingredients ahead of time
One helpful strategy is to wash, chop, and store produce for use throughout the week. On days that you have some more time available you can schedule mini prep times.
Examples: Prepping veggies for stir fry, prepping veggies for snacks and dips, chopping onions and garlic for additions(keeps about 2/3 days)
What meals am I creating this week?
What produce do I need to prep?
6. Use the Freezer!
The freezer can be a great tool for storage and eliminating food waste. Maybe you are on that fourth day of curry and you just can’t eat it anymore.
Option 1: You can always put batch cooked meals in a freezer container or bag and save for the next few weeks. This can be a great tool for creating your own easy freezer dishes while also saving food waste!
Option 2: Another option is to wash, chop, and freeze vegetables and fruit that are near the end of their life to use for either stir fries or broths.
7. Consider Food Spoilage Timeline
Have you ever pulled out that container of rice and it's slimy and stinky? Yupp I
I wouldn't eat that! Most whole foods/prepared foods should be consumed with in 3 days, while some may be a bit longer.
8. Hydration!
Hydration is key! Don’t forget about preparing/planning different fun drinks
throughout your week. There are so many ways to prepare tasty and refreshing
infused water by using fruits and herbs. You can always use lemon which is a
classic. I love some hot lemon water in the morning to wake up with while also
Stimulating digestion and bringing you into the present moment. Another
delicious infusion is cucumber water with mint. So many yummy options!
Just Start
Step 1
Just Start
I find new endeavors so exciting and invigorating, but why can it be hard to start?
Maybe insecurities creep up trying to convince us that were not “ready”, that we need more time to prep.
Maybe we tell ourselves we need rest and self-care instead of grinding it out.
Maybe its that so many others are already doing it that whats the point?
The reality is, many could be doing it, and you may need rest or self-care, but you have the choice…
It could either be day one or one day.
The only person that will get you closer to your goals is you. So then, what do you say?
Do you wish to push off your dreams one more day simply to appease your pleasure and comfort seeking habitual way of life?
Or can you set a goal, create an action strategy, TAKE THE FIRST STEP, and continue on the path towards your dreams?
The beautiful part of this world and free will is that it is up to you. Whether you go for it or sit down and stay comfortable, you get to be in the presence of your choices.
It is hard to stay stuck, it is hard to move forward. It is hard to rest, it is hard to work. It is hard to be fit, it is hard to be fat. It is hard to choose healthy options, it is hard to eat junk. Both sides of the coin are hard, its just the consequences that you have to deal with.
~~~~
REFLECTIONS
Why do you do what you do? (write this one down and stick it to your fridge. If you don’t know now, ask yourself daily until you do)
What are your top 5 values? (write these down, stick them to your mirror to remember who you are)