I’m just back from an art retreat.
A week of painting, being, stepping away from the usual noise and into something quieter and more essential. No schedule to keep, no emails to answer, no one needing anything. Just creative souls, personal expressions, laughter, tears, friendship and the particular kind of restoration that only happens when you give yourself genuine permission to tend to yourself.
I know not everyone can disappear for a week into creative expression (and this was my first time doing it). But the principle scales down beautifully. Even five minutes, entered into with intention, changes something.
Here’s what I come back to when life gets loud:
Create a gap. Thinking, planning, worrying … there’s always something vying for attention, keeping us away from the experience of the Now moment. Create thought-free moments throughout your day to allow your mind to rest. How? Take (at least) 3 slow, deep breaths, letting your belly full expand as you inhale and naturally contract as you exhale; focus on your breath, nothing else.
Stop … and listen. Let hearing be your primary sense for a bit. What do you hear when you really listen? What do you hear below the obvious noise? Just be curious.
Step out into nature and engage your senses. Even if you can’t go for a walk right then, feel the wind, the sunshine or rain, smell the air, touch the trees, plants or ground, listen to the sounds. The Elements of nature are very healing and balancing.
Check-in. How are you really feeling? Is an adjustment called for? What would be nourishing or nurturing to you? What is your heart calling for? Tending to your own needs keeps you fulfilled so that you can contribute from a place of fullness, not lack.
Create a technology free time – no phone, no computer, no television. Maybe an hour, maybe a day or a weekend. Technology can be addicting in many ways and hard to let go of, but try it. As you move away from mass media programming and use your imagination, develop your interests and give yourself enough time to relax, you will find yourself wanting to express in some creative way, because that is who you are – a creative being with a need to express the kind of creativity that you usually suppress when busy or working.
Try a bit of art. Before you deny any artistic ability, stop. It’s not about the end result; it’s about the process. Scientific studies have shown that art changes a person’s physiology and attitude. The body’s physiology moves from stress to deep relaxation, from fear to creativity and inspiration. If you can draw a line and a circle you can make art which only requires a pencil and paper. Simple. Or, of course, you can jump into all kinds of art projects but I’m trying to keep things simple and easy to do in a few minutes.
Or there’s dancing. Yes, you can. Especially in the privacy of your own home – dance & sing! Art and music create a different brain wave pattern which affects the autonomic nervous system, altering hormonal balance and brain neurotransmitters. Most songs are under 5 minutes long – enjoy a dance break! If you are at work, put on the headphones and imagine you are dancing. Hum along.
None of these need to take long. And none of them require you to have it all figured out first.
Start where you are. Even five minutes of genuine presence — a breath, a listen, a moment outside — is you choosing yourself. And that choice, made regularly, quietly builds a life that feels like yours.
I came home from the retreat having stretched myself in new ways. That’s the whole point. Now, integration.
What does tending to yourself look like this week for you?
And if you’re new here and this feels like your kind of place — welcome. Stay a while.
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I'm participating in a 'Body Writing Challenge' this week, every morning for an hour and a half. The purpose is to get out of your head and write as your body is telling you. So far we've done hands - amazing what such a small body part has to say!