Moments

"We do not remember days. We remember moments." ~ Cesare Pavese

Hello, Dear Ones, 

I hope your entry into fall is as lovely as the picture I've shared. This is by far my favorite season. The colors are transforming daily here in Minnesota, bringing me an abundance of joy! I love experiencing the world shifting in such a beautiful and dramatic way.

Fall is the season for slowing down and transitioning ourselves for the coming season. I know personally, the past couple of winters have been tough. Lots of inside time and less sunshine can be such a struggle. 

I’ve been thinking and trying to plan more intentionally about how I can care for my mental and emotional well-being this winter. 

Something that sparked these thoughts was that I was recently on a panel talking about mental health for Elephants & Tea magazine. The question of ways to positively impact mental and emotional well-being arose, and most strategies involved getting outside moving. I couldn't agree more that that is a fantastic tool. If this is our only tool, what happens when we're struggling in a moment and being active and getting outside aren't options?

In the dead of winter, when it's dark and things are hard, how will we cope if we can't get outside? 

I started brainstorming ways that I could try this winter, as I know it will be helpful to have a kind of menu of options to choose from. I also want to share what I shared with that group because I think it's a valuable tool, and I greatly appreciate that it can be accessed anywhere easily. It's as simple as connecting with our breath (counting or just noticing our breath) and getting grounded back in the present moment. 

One exercise that has resonated with my clients is box breathing. If you’re not familiar with it, box breathing is where you inhale-hold-exhale-hold for the same amount of time. You can start small with four or five seconds and work your way up from there if you’d like. Some of my clients even draw their box with their fingers in the air or on a piece of paper. Whatever works for you!  

Breathwork and grounding exercises can be a powerful way to get ourselves out of our heads and back into our bodies. Even while writing this newsletter, I've been discussing the upcoming winter and taking myself out of the moment. 

Now that I've taken a breath, (I invite you to do the same!) I am going to prioritize enjoyment of the beautiful outdoors while it's lovely and keep taking my daily walks, noticing what is changing around me. I'm so grateful I am here to witness all of nature's beauty. 

When you struggle or need to slow down, I hope you remember what a wonderful tool you have to use to help you feel centered again. 

If you want to create your own list of things to help you in challenging moments, I'd love to hear about what's on them! And if you have a hard time getting started, please feel free to reach out. I would love to brainstorm with you to create your own well-being menu.

Thanks so much for reading this, dear one, and thank you for joining me on this life journey. I'm grateful for you. 

With love and kindness, 

Jessica 

P.S. 

We have recently adopted Meggie, a 5-year-old Cava-poo who is curious, kind, and adventurous! She loves to play, be outside, and cuddle. We are enjoying this transition in our lives, and she is a continuous reminder to me to be in the moment.