Self care September - what a fraud!

I wanted my membership to be the go to place for women everywhere.  Feeling stressed, try a guided practice.  Struggling to sleep - Sleepy Nights!  Looking for motivation, learn how to power up the mornings.   And alongside the content, a monthly feature.  A reminder to reconnect with the cycles of  nature, truly exploring presence.

First up was September - the month that we often see as the end of Summer and the start of Christmas preparations.  Here it is, an entire month that seems to be dedicated to, what we have just lost, and what will be in a few months. "Self Care September" has a great ring to it, and it's been well received on Instagram in the past, so I decided to go with that.  

I set up my to do list and began creating those posts telling people everywhere to slow down, listen to their body and embrace Autumn.   "Now is the time to make time for ourselves", I hailed loudly.  

Yet back in Julie-land something else was a foot.  Whether it's the intensity of the book launch, or I'm just run down doesn't really matter; I was feeling absolutely washed out.   I messaged a friend who was feeling the same way and I joked with her - "I hope you're looking after yourself and not drowning in self judgement like me!"  But it was true.  Here I was telling everyone else to slow down, whilst meanwhile, I was berating myself for not doing enough.  Then of course there's story number two which is all about being a mindfulness teacher.  I really SHOULD know better.  I really SHOULD do better. 

But here's the really interesting thing about mindfulness.  It really isn't about creating the perfect life, it's about being aware of how life really is for us.  It's coming to understand those little curve balls that will trip us up.  In the past this inner judgement has taken me down much deeper rabbit holes.  Mindful awareness wakes me up.  Once I sent that text off to my friend, I realised what was happening.  I was getting weighed down by the stories in the mind.  My practice has taught me that once I acknowledge an experience for what it is, I can break free of the pattern and make different choices.   I also know that when I listen to my body and rest, it bounces back in its own time.  

So here's to self care September, listening to our bodies, slowing down and trusting our natural instincts.