Self-Care Quest Day 6: Cave Time

Day 6 of our Self-Care Quest features a podcast from Shann on the importance of reflective time alone.

 

Inside myself is a place where I live all alone and that's where you renew your springs that never dry up. -Pearl S. Buck

The autumnal equinox brings climate change and significant energetic shifts in our routines. Many of us are supporting our children while they transition back to early mornings, school days, homework and extra curricular activities. Business tends to pick up this time of year and holiday preparations are just around the bend. All of this change can contribute to anxiety and stress.

Here are a few ideas to help you remain centered and peaceful:

Allow for Rich and Meaningful Alone Time

How much time do you allow for quiet contemplation? Reading? Perhaps soaking up the sweetness of an afternoon nap? As you move toward the winter months in the Midwest and Northeast and abroad, creating spaciousness in your calendar is a recipe for life-balance. If you are like me you will go stark raving mad without some cave-time to recharge and be still.

Change Things up in Your Environment

Is your environment a bit stale? Often the simple act of rearranging your office space or living space will give you an energetic pick-me-up. It's fun to move pictures, furniture and prized possessions to new locations. Invigorate your senses with a new candle or incense. We  love simmering mulling spices this time of year.

Declare How You Want the Rest of the Year to Unfold

With a little more than 3 months left in 2011, it's time to contemplate how you'd like your life to unfold before the holidays.  Which projects, experiences, ideas will you explore? We recommend making time to write or key-in a declaration of sorts. How do you wish the rest of 2011 to play out? Dreaming and planning your road-map alleviates stress and 11th hour decision making.

Cave time, environmental shifts and directional declarations will support you during times of change. You deserve to carve out some time for yourself. No excuses. 

Solitude is the salt of personhood. It brings out the authentic flavor of every experience. -May Sarton