What is a practice?
““Not perfect, but with purpose.”
As I sit down to answer this question, I've just come out of what I would describe as a self-perpetuating life fog. We're in the thick of summer, hosting friends, drinking too much, and eating whatever/whenever. I've not been meditating, working out consistently, or drinking enough water. I'm living on coffee, ignoring my growing to-do list, and spending way too much time mindlessly scrolling. CUE THE ANXIETY. Why am I doing this? Part of me doesn't really know; the other part knows I'm procrastinating working on this very thing! Pushing it to the side subconsciously buys me more time between right now and the fear I have for actually/finally releasing something out into the world. BUT I'm finally back on the wagon, so to speak, and realize that I'm ready, regardless of the outcome. I hope you all can at least find one tiny sliver of something in here that resonates with you.
Conceptually, A Practice is any method you utilize to tune in to yourself. That takes you out of your head and into your heart. That helps you lead from a place of abundance and gratitude.
For me, that practice is my morning meditation. I decided to try meditation when I was struggling a bit after the birth of my first child. Primarily to calm the post-partum anxiety, I just couldn't shake. Almost immediately, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Meditation has allowed me to calm the crazy voice in my head, depersonalize situations, sleep better and become MUCH more patient. The beauty of meditation is that it can be done by anyone, anywhere, at any time. It can be used for the reasons above and also to relieve stress, increase energy, become more present... the list goes on. Whatever you need it for is what it is there for.
TO BUILD
In reality, building and applying A Practice into your daily life takes some commitment. Think of your practice as a daily ritual. Something that is internally motivating and meaningful to you. That has the ability to set your day off on the right foot. If meditation is not for you, there are so many other ways you can incorporate centering activities into your morning routine or throughout your day. Waking up early to have a quiet moment before the chaos begins, a gratitude practice, daily movement, or simply waiting an hour to look at your phone after you wake up.
Showing up for yourself can lead to cascading positive effects, not just in your own life but in the lives of everyone around you. Ask yourself, what is one thing I can do for myself today that will allow me to show up grounded, centered, and whole? How does it make you feel? If you notice a positive change, follow that feeling and repeat, repeat, repeat!
TO MOTIVATE
I chose the opening quote as a reminder that no matter where you are on your journey, the point is never perfection. Have there been times when I've fallen off the "wagon" or skipped my meditation because the day just got away from me? Of course! (I just got out of an almost month-long funk.. my longest ever since I began to meditate.) I'm not perfect, and neither is my practice. No one and no practice is meant to be.. it's all about allowing yourself to find the space to come back and begin again.
TO LEARN
Below are several of my favorite resources.
Please explore and experiment!
THE WHY
Dr. G is my go-to resource for all things health and wellness-related. He takes deep dives into different holistic practices, gives great product reviews, and interviews some of the leading professionals in this space. In this specific podcast, he interviews Jesse Isreal, founder of The Big Quiet, about what led him to meditation, the downstream benefits it has had on his life, health, and career, as well as the science behind why it works. If my personal narrative doesn't convince you to give it a try I think this interview might!
Click here to listen to the podcast.
Check Dr. G out on Instagram! @dr.christian.gonzalez
**This is a long one.. fast forward to 32:15. However, if you've got the time, listen from the beginning for some excellent anti-aging skincare tips!
THE HOW
I started meditating with Kevin through The Class, a local Tribeca fitness studio (more like cathartic experience)... but we can get into that later! Kevin's meditations contextualize the power of awareness and the importance of making space for yourself. They all have a connecting theme that each step towards improvement is equally important no matter how small. Every Wednesday he hosts a live meditation through his IG channel. His voice is like velvet and the meditation linked above is one of my favorites. After you listen, I dare you to tell me you don't feel 10 lbs. lighter!
Click here to listen.
Check Kevin out on Instagram! @kevinjcourtney
THE CUE
When beginning a new practice, no matter what it is, an easy way to establish this in your routine is to give yourself a cue. A cue triggers your brain, so it knows immediately it's time to shift gears. To switch from what you were doing and into your practice. It could be as simple as turning your alarm clock off and placing your phone in a dish to begin your day in peace or making yourself a decadent cup of coffee before heading to work out. Every time you repeat the cue, you are setting the stage for what comes next.
Palo Santo is mine. Palo Santo is a native South American tree bark whose name means holy wood. The sweet, sage-y, woodsy smell is instantly calming. As soon as I light it and it begins to burn, I am signaled to sit down and begin my meditation.
In what areas of your day could you use a cue to begin a new practice or ritualize a current one?
Click here if you'd like to try Palo Santo!
