Back to Basics

Hello, I hope this finds you well as we welcome July.
This year is moving right along, isn’t it? Time feels as if it’s speeding up, you have probably noticed this in your own life too. If it feels like you’re trying to get to all the things on your list each day but find that the days are getting away from you, you’re not alone. There’s a slipping and sliding that’s happening and we feel it in different ways. Sometimes we notice this shift happening when the days just seem to fly by or to slip through our fingers. Other times we notice it when we can’t remember what we were doing 5 minutes earlier or why we walked into a room even though we know it was for something important. Sometimes we notice this experience when we find our days get a bit derailed for one reason or another and we can’t quite put our finger on what happened. Often in the middle of all of these experiences, you may find yourself feeling tired, exhausted, or just in need of more sleep than usual. All of these themes have been showing up lately, and if you’re experiencing them, you’re in good company.

Sometimes highly sensitive people, like yourself can feel nervous, overwhelmed, or uncomfortable with these kinds of shifts. Some may feel that they are dropping the ball, or need to get it together, or believe that their tried-and-true organization system is no longer working and in need of a tune up. Sometimes, this is a good time to shake things up and to try something new but sometimes it’s a message about getting back to basics. This message about getting things paired back has been coming through a lot lately, maybe you’ve been receiving this message too. Getting back to basics is often confused with not having any fun or not getting to try new things. While I understand the misconception that back to basics may seem to mean no frills or no fun, I promise that’s not the case here.

This shift can create more space in your day-to-day life that will allow you to create or experience more frills or fun in ways that feel like a fit for you. By clearing away the excess noise, pressure, stuff, and sometimes even people or situations that make you feel overwhelmed or bogged down you more easily create room to live in ways that are meaningful for you. Sometimes it feels like we don’t have places where we can pair things back, but the more that we focus on one area at a time, we find things that we can clear away. It’s similar to clearing out a closet. At first it may seem that you need to keep every item you have tucked away but the more you look at what’s actually in there, the more you realize there’s room to make edits and decide to let some things go. Afterward, it feels so much lighter, you may actually find things you forgot about, and you feel refreshed and excited about enjoying what you decided to keep.

This month, I invite you to take a little inventory of the areas within your life that may have spaces where you can pair back, and make some edits. These don’t have to be huge things; every little action adds up to big change. You can give yourself permission to take one thing off your list each day to free up some space so you can choose to do something that brings you joy. You can say no to an invitation that doesn’t work for you and your schedule this month. You can ask for help or support in an area of your life where you feel like you’re doing all the heavy lifting and need a helping hand. You can prioritize an activity that you genuinely love which feeds your soul, even if it doesn’t check a box on your to do list. Taking good care of yourself is very important and is often the one item not on the to do list. It’s often relegated to the alternate list, under the guise that if everything is completed on the daily list, it will have a chance. However, it’s often not picked or other things seem to take priority pushing it further and further down the alternate list. This month, while we focus on getting back to basics, I want to gently remind you that you’re valuable and important. Taking good care of yourself and honoring your needs and limits are priorities and deserving of being on the daily list, not the alternate list.

I’m wishing you a wonderful month, filled with kind, loving, and positive people and experiences. If you’re celebrating the 4th of the July, I’m wishing you a very happy holiday!

As always, I’m sending you love and support from my teeny tiny corner of the world straight to you!

With love and gratitude,
Kristy~xoxo

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Gratitude Gift

Simplicity and Streamlining as We Meet the Middle of the Year

Hello, welcome to June
I hope this finds you well as we meet the middle of the year.  This time of year provides us a beautiful opportunity to take a personal inventory so we can make some shifts and adjustments if needed as we move forward. Some questions that may be coming up for you right now may include things like: How has my year been so far? How do I feel about the themes and cycles that I’ve been moving through this year? What kinds of things would I like to increase moving into this next 6 months? What kinds of things would I like to release in the next 6 months? This opportunity to reflect and adjust is a gift we give to ourselves. This process is not something to be nervous about but rather something that can offer support, insight, and positive changes.

One of the biggest themes that I’ve seen coming up for people recently is a sense of overwhelm, challenges in focusing on tasks or goals, and a deep calling to clean out things that have run their course. At first glance these may not seem related to one another, but the truth is they are deeply connected. Sometimes, when these themes start showing up, it’s a message for us to take a look at what areas of our life could use some simplicity and some streamlining. If you’ve ever walked into a home that’s filled with things that are out of place and chaotic, you probably remember the impact it made on your physical body and your mental state immediately. You may have noticed that you felt the need to get out of there as quickly as possible because it created a lot of stress and overwhelm for you. Our environment whether physically or the circle of people we interact with on a regular basis contributes to our overall health and wellbeing. Sometimes, without realizing it, things begin to tuck into the corners of our homes, work spaces, and vehicles creating and contributing to feelings of overwhelm, lack of focus, and a feeling that something needs to change. Sometimes these “things” are old ways of living and even some relationships that have run their course. The good news is that when we realize this theme is showing up for us, we have the ability to make some simple but significant changes so we can make space to move forward.

I’ve included an exercise below that can support you in taking an inventory of how things are going for you right now so you will have a clear picture of what you’re being guided to simplify and streamline this month. There are no wrong answers here and no one is going to ask you to share what you write down, so please give yourself permission to let your answers move through you organically. You may want to take a couple of deep breaths, turn off notifications on your device, and when you feel ready, you can move through the exercise. (You can come back to this at any time you choose if you feel guided to work through it again.)

• If I had to choose one word to describe my year this far it would be__________________.

• My overall energy level this year has been_______________________.

• I’ve spent most of my free time this year doing ____________________________.

• I wanted to make more time for ___________________ this year but I haven’t gotten around to it due to _________________________.

• The new skills I’ve been working on this year include___________________________________.

• I’ve taken time to nurture and care for myself this year by regularly investing in ____________________.

• My overall health this year has been___________________________.

• My favorite memories from this year have been__________________________________.

• If I had to choose one word to describe my work/career so far this year it would be_________________.

• Investing in my spiritual wellbeing is ___________________ for me.

• I honor my spiritual practice by___________________________ and it makes me feel_______________.

• My home makes me feel __________________________.

• It feels ________________ to be at home because__________________________.

• My home would feel better if _____________________________.

• Making time for myself is ______________________ because___________________.

• I feel drained, exhausted, or hurt after interacting with ______________________________.

• I feel happy, excited, and uplifted after interacting with ______________________________.

• I’d like to have relationships that feel ______________________ because ____________________.

• It may be time to distance myself from _____________________ because__________________.

• It may be time for me to reach out to ________________ because______________________.

• I’ve gotten back into the habit of _________________and it makes me feel ______________________.

• I want to increase ______________________ because I feel better when I make this a priority in my life.

• Making time for ________________ helps me to feel more like myself again.

• I want to let go of ________________________ because it doesn’t help me or feel like it’s a fit for me anymore.

• I’m ready to release__________________________.

• I can lighten my load today by____________________________.

• I’ve made progress on some of the things that were on my list for 2023, including __________________________________.

• I’m still working on these things on my list for 2023 ________________________________.

• I’ve decided to let go of these things from my list for 2023_______________________ because____________________.

• Which area of my life needs to be simplified right now?

• Which area of my life needs to be nurtured right now?

• Which area of my life do I need to ask for help or support to move forward right now?

• Which word do I want to choose as a theme for the remainder of 2023?

Okay, great job! I hope this helped you to gain some insight into the places and spaces where you’re personally being guided to make some shifts and changes. Remember that any and all change makes an impact in the way that you feel and move through your world.

You may find that some of the changes you’re being guided to make you can do by yourself while others may require help from someone else. I encourage you to start with a seemingly small action and allow the momentum to move you forward. You’ll notice that as you address the areas that need attention in your life, you’ll feel happier, healthier, and more at peace. If you need support, please ask for help. You can ask for help from a loved one, a friend, or a professional support person.

I’ve included a few areas that may support you as you move forward this month. Please know this is not an end all be all list but simply a jumping off place for you to get inspired. Please feel free to create your own ideas and ways to simplify and streamline.

• Clean out your closets, pantry, cupboards, or other storage spaces.

• Let go of things that are broken, ill fitting, stained, or damaged.

• Put things away where they belong.

• Put some space between yourself and challenging people in your life to the best of your ability.

• Say yes to things and people that are uplifting and positive for you.

• Make your priorities a priority in your day, even if only for 15 minutes.

• Move your body in ways that feel good to, you even if only for 15 minutes.

• Place helpful items and things you enjoy where you can enjoy and use them easily.

• Ask for help and support when you need it.

• Take good care of yourself and treat yourself with tender loving care.

I hope this has helped you gain some insight into how you’re being guided to move into this next half of the year. I look forward to hearing about the shifts and streamlining you’re doing to help you get back into the flow of your year. I am here for you if you feel guided to work with me this month whether through an intuitive session, energy treatment, or a coaching session.

As always, I’m sending you love and support from my teeny tiny corner of the world straight to you!
With love and gratitude,
Kristy~ xoxo

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Gratitude Gift

Changing Seasons | Changing Energies

Happy 1st day of Autumn, or 1st day of Spring if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere!

It feels like a huge shift by moving into this new season; the last one felt so long and drawn out. I don’t know about you but 2020 has left me feeling a bit exhausted and at times feeling weary. However, this shift in season even though it’s still hot where I am, feels like a palpable shift in more ways than one.

One of the ways I like to welcome a new season or a significant shift is by doing something that feels like it marks the moment. It doesn’t really matter what it is per se, just that it’s something that feels meaningful to me.

Yesterday, I smudged my home and then did an intentional mopping of my home with fresh rosemary and lavender from my garden to help prepare for the shift in season and as a marker for the last day of summer. I set intentions to clear away anything lingering that wasn’t positive, helpful, or needed as we move into a new season.

Today, I’m making a meal that feels aligned with the season as a way to welcome or mark the day. I also put out some things around my home that feel more cozy, calm, and aligned with the seasonal shift. Hopefully it will be here soon, because for one of the first times ever in my life, I’m looking forward to the cooler weather…I’m not usually a big “ber” person…I prefer longer days and flip flops.

There are lots of ways to mark a moment to make it feel special and anything that shows up for you or that feels like a fit is perfect. There’s no one way or right way to do this, just the ways that are right for you on any particular day.

• Today is a great day to set some intentions for your new season.

• This is also a powerful time to reflect back on things that are coming into a harvest or collection space for you.

This has been a strange and intense year with lots of challenges, however it’s still an opportunity to see what things you’ve accomplished, achieved, moved through, and learned over the last 9 and a half months.

• Give yourself some gold stars on your star chart for the wins you’ve had this year.
  (Including perseverance)

• Focus on some things that you’re releasing and why you’re ready to let them go.

• Take a few deep breaths and allow yourself to make some space for your personal joy, peace, and needs in this new season.

I’m wishing you a beautiful and gentle new season, filled with kindness, calm, and support.

I’ve included a New Season Flash Sale for you Below.
You can schedule for any day you choose, but you must place your order today; sale ends at 5 pm pacific time.

With love from my teeny corner of the world,
Kristy~ xoxo

P.S. A huge thank you for the messages, good vibes, and prayers you’ve sent to me about the fires, I am so appreciative! We’re still dealing with the fires, however I’m still in my home which I’m incredibly grateful for every single day. Our go bags are still packed, but we’re praying the fires will be out soon.

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Lean Into Where You're At, Right Now

I wanted to send you a little note to let you know that I’m thinking about you and also to remind you that…

It’s okay to be where you’re at right now.

Even if you are feeling meh.

Even if you are feeling all the feels one minute and then not so much the next.

Even if you aren’t sure how to feel or what to do because you’ve kinda done all or most of the things you had on your list.

Even if you just find yourself feeling somewhere between where you were yesterday and where you want to be tomorrow.

It’s okay to be where you’re at right now.

Yep, even in those same sweats, yoga pants, and top knot.

Even in the spaces where you don’t even feel motivated to do anything but watch something you’ve already watched countless times.

Even in…
Yep, even then.

As we move deeper into our time at home; lots of stuff is coming to the surface and we’re all going through it, you’re not alone. Even if you’re physically sheltering at home alone, you’re not alone.

The highs and lows of this experience is no joke and you’re not imagining that it’s like a roller coaster with twists and turns you may not have expected.

Like most things, there’s not one way to move through this time; there’s only the ways that are right for you. However, the more you can allow yourself to be where you’re at, the gentler you’ll be on yourself at this time.

Sometimes, highly sensitive, high functioning, overachievers (like yourself) can tend to put their own needs and feelings on the back burner from time to time. (cough cough…most of the time) During an intense life event like this one for example it can be easy to lean into trying to do more and to keep pushing uphill.

While getting things checked off your list is great, it’s also critical to acknowledge when the thing on your list is to rest, feel the feelings, have a hard day, ask for help, and just be where you’re at right now.

Leaning into where you’re at doesn’t mean that you’re neglecting the things you want to do or need to do during this time. It means that you’re choosing to place yourself on your list too. While self care might look different to you right now than it used to, it’s still care and right now what we all need more of is care.

Tender loving care.

So, take a breath and ask yourself how you’re feeling today and what you need to do for you.

I promise you, you’ll easily hear, see, feel, or know the answer and I encourage you to give yourself permission to honor the answers that you receive.

Without guilt

Without shame

Without judgement

Without compromise

Honor where you’re at right now and lean into it.

Your body knows what it needs.

Your soul knows what it needs.

Your mind and emotions know what they need.

You know what you need.

Take good care of yourself right now in the ways that are right for you.

Right in the middle of this mess.

Right in the middle of where you are right now.

Right in the middle of all the things you have to do.

Right in the middle of all of it, take good care of yourself and lean into where you’re at right now, right this minute, today.

If you could use some support right now, please reach out for support from the people in your circle even if they aren’t sheltering at home with you.

You’re not alone, even if you feel lonely.

I’m sending you so much love from the middle of where I’m at right now, today.

I see you, I’m here for you, we’re in this, together.

With love,
Kristy~xoxo

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#30MoreDays: Sheltering In Place 2.0…How To Move Forward Now

Hello!

We made it to April! It feels like a big moment to know that it’s officially April and this is a new month and a new beginning. Even though we’re still sheltering in place, apart… but together… it still feels like this new month is a breath of fresh air and an opportunity to tap into a fresh start.

There’s a definitive shift in this energy, you can probably feel it too, it’s almost palpable. While we’re still sheltering in place, the feeling of this #30moredays feels much different than the last several weeks. The issues that were prescient at the beginning of this stay at home order while still on the forefront seem to be impacting us at home in a different way as we move forward. Are you feeling this too?

There’s a feeling now that we’re all in this together, and that we in some way have found a bit of a rhythm in how we move through our day to day life at this time. We can see how neighbors are supporting each other, the kindness of strangers being shared online, and even the human experience of overwhelm and frustration being shared over the inter-webs. This common theme of connection even though we’re apart has helped us to feel less alone and in many ways seen and understood. The irony of finding community while being inside is so surreal but so powerful at the same time.

So many people have some things sorted out that were up in the air 3 weeks ago.

• Maybe you’re finding your groove as a sudden + unexpected homeschooling professional.

• Maybe your littles are streaming their classes via zoom and now you’re a zoom expert even if you’ve never heard that word in this context before all of this.

• Maybe you’ve found or reconnected to your love of cooking, baking, and hanging out in the kitchen.

• Maybe you’ve made an effort to create and participate in group chat calls, again getting your zoom skills to a professional level!

• Maybe you’re enjoying being home and really reconnecting to your space, surroundings, and the healing quality of home.

• Maybe you’re getting some projects and items checked off your to do list.

• Maybe you’ve picked up your musical instrument, knitting needles or crochet hooks, paintbrush, garden gloves, or a book you’ve been meaning to get to when you had some down time.

• Maybe you’re still working full time from home and you’ve found a way to adjust to a new normal work wise.

• Maybe you and your partner are both working from home full time and are finding a way to get into a rhythm in your work space and style.
  (Do you need it silent while your partner works best while blasting music and talking super loud to their clients?.....Does this seem super specific? It is, because this is a peek into my situation, lol)

• Maybe you (or your loved one) is an essential professional and are working on the front lines at this time. We all see you, yes, all of us, the global community see’s you and we appreciate you!

As we move into this next phase of sheltering in place, I see that a deep focus on self care and gentility is very important.

The first phase focused a great deal on what felt like an overnight adjustment to nearly ever part of our day to day life. A crash course in how to do everything differently beginning now was the overall feeling.

Sheltering In Place 2.0 feels more like a deep call to gentility, slowing down, and being very gentle with ourselves. Yes, all the things still need to be done but this feels different than last month.

The majority of everyone I worked with or talked to last month was scrambling to do all the things they needed to do while also trying to find ways to keep busy since they couldn’t leave the house. One of the biggest themes that showed up for people was an intense level of stress, anxiety, and the biggest one forgetting to breathe.

Yes, forgetting to breathe.

Maybe you’re noticing right now that you’ve been forgetting to breathe too.

When we’re under stress, the body goes into a natural stress response and we begin to either hold our breath or breathe through our mouths. (No, mouth breathing isn’t the natural way the body is set up to breathe.)

It makes perfect sense that during a crisis all of us would experience an increase in stress which turns on our natural stress response.

So, making a concerted effort to remember to breathe right now is very important. You can set an alert on your phone to give you a gentle reminder. You can place a sticky note on your fridge, laptop, or bathroom mirror. You can ask someone you live with to gently remind you to breathe if they notice you’re holding your breath. Any ways that support you in breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth will be very beneficial for you right now.

Even taking 3 deep breaths in through your nose slowly and exhaling out through your mouth will help to reset your body and help to clear away stress and tension from your body and mind.

This month as you set your intentions for April and for your #30moredays maybe you can make the theme about self care and self love.

Sometimes these become buzz words and people think oh yeah I know all about that but they don’t really implement them into their daily lives. This is a perfect time to practice these very important support services for yourself and the people sheltering in place with you.

I’ve included some ideas to support you in slowing down and being gentle with yourself during shelter in place 2.0. This is just a small list to help you generate some of your own ideas, this is by no means a be all end all list.

Quiet Time:
Yes, remember quiet time? Schedule this into your schedule daily this month. A 10 minute block a day will make a huge impact in how you feel. You can practice conscious breathing, meditate, or journal during your quiet time. Please don’t use your quiet time to scroll as it tends to ramp up stress and anxiety and this is time for you to reset, restore, and replenish.

Walk It Out:
Many communities are still allowing walks in your neighborhood; if you’re one of these folks, lace up your shoes and walk it out. You’ll physically move stress out of your mind and body and you’ll increase your endorphins while also getting some much needed fresh air and sunshine.

Music Over Scrolling:
Listening to music soothes and supports the nervous system and actually increases mood.
Scrolling Instagram or whichever platform you love can increase tension, stress, and fear energies. So, opt for listening to music rather than going into a scrolling hole.

Slow is the New Hustle:
Focus on Moving Slower. Breathing Slower. Doing Things Slower.
You may notice that you feel guided to push yourself harder, to go faster, to get it all done, to not stop until everything is finished. When you notice this, breathe and take a moment to refocus. This isn’t a time to be pushing yourself to go against your natural body rhythms but to reconnect and honor your natural pace which is much slower than what you’ve become used to in last 2 decades.

Get Grounded:
When we reconnect to our true selves, our body, and the natural world we become more grounded, focused, and in tune with our real feelings, thoughts, emotions, and sense of self; we feel more like the real us. If you have house plants, water, propagate, and slow down with them. Maybe you can plant a little garden on your balcony or in a patch of dirt in your back yard. Smudge your home, spruce up your space, get outside and if it’s warm enough take off your socks and shoes and put your feet in the grass while you watch the clouds roll by.

Lean Into What Soothes Your Soul:
Choose to do things that you haven’t been able to do but genuinely love. It may be something that you haven’t done in years or it might be something seemingly simple like playing a board game or putting together a puzzle. Make a pot of tea and drink out of your favorite fancy “waiting for the perfect day” tea cup.  Make something, bake something, do the DIY’s, dry flowers and herbs, learn to make those tinctures you’ve been wanting to make, wear your fancy pajamas just because they make you feel good…or anything that soothes your soul.

This is a perfect time to honor and truly practice real self care and self love.

• Go slow.

• Do what you can right now but honor your needs at the same time.

• Breathe.

• Reconnect to you and honor and invest in your needs, wellbeing, and rest right now.

I’m sending you so much love and support from my teeny tiny corner of the world!

I’m still working and available to support you right now if you feel guided to schedule a session with me.

With so much love and gentility,
Kristy~xoxo

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The Great Shake Up, Are You Feeling The Rumblings Of Change?

So, I don’t know about you but all of a sudden I feel like there’s so much change happening. The year has been off to a bit of a wobbly and slow start but as if an invisible curtain has been lifted, it sure feels like things are speeding up and shaking up. Everywhere I turn it seems like I’m receiving opportunities to make some big changes. How about you?

Some of it feels like a breath of fresh air; like things that I’ve been working on for a long time have finally gained traction and are coming together as if by magic. While other things have been a bit of a surprise. All in all, the forecast seems to be pointing to more change for the foreseeable future.

To be honest, I really like change. I know it’s not a popular camp to be in and can create a lot of growing pains but overall I like the fresh start and new beginning aspects of change. (It kind of reminds me of the feeling of starting a new school year.) Don’t get me wrong, some aspects can be down right challenging but all in all I enjoy the lightening process.

With change, there’s this quality of literally and emotionally releasing things, situations, places, and even people who are no longer a fit and there’s a tangible lightening that comes with that process. I find that people simultaneously release and break glass ceilings while going through change. There’s a quality of strength that shows up during change that helps to push us past our comfort zone and allows for more breathing room, the ability to see our own potential, and space to grow.

Right now, there seems to be a deep clearing happening where things are being brought to the surface for an opportunity to fine tune and really release what’s no longer needed. So, if you’re finding that people, cycles, or situations that you felt had wrapped up are showing up again, breathe. It’s okay, it’s actually part of this clearing and lightening process. Give yourself permission to dive deep into your feelings, restructure your boundaries, and give yourself permission to release the old. If you find that something or someone’s actions take you by surprise and you feel guided to let them go too, it’s okay.  (You never have to hold onto people who don’t honor you, no matter how long you’ve known them.) The rumblings of change are bringing things to the surface to be cleared and shifted. This clearing will lead to a healthier and happier life for you, one more aligned with where you’re going.

As you continue to move through the shifts, shake ups, and changes happening in your life right now; please remember to be good to yourself. Let the people in your world know what you need, ask for help, nurture your self care routine, and give yourself permission to say yes to the things that make your heart sing while saying no thank you and farewell to the things that don’t.

This is an exciting time of realignment and I’m standing shoulder to shoulder with you as we walk through this change, together. I know you can do it!

I’d love to hear how you’re moving through change right now and what you’re doing to take good care of yourself throughout the process. Please leave a comment below so we can share support with one another.

Love,
Kristy~

P.S. Do you know someone who’s going through a lot of changes right now too? Please forward this post over to them so they know they aren’t alone.