Feelings: Feel centred, feel mindful.
Time required: 20 minutes or more for deep, personal reflection.
What you’ll need: A pencil or pen, a piece of paper or journal, and a calm, quiet space.
ABOUT THE RITUAL
Spring cleaning can be for more than your physical environment.
As time goes on, our thoughts and ideas become cluttered; influenced by outside opinions and tied into the expectations of others. We subconsciously pick up the perspectives of other people, conflating their beliefs with our values. We face comparison or imposter syndrome, occasionally losing sight of who we are. From all angles, we are faced with what others are doing, noticing differences in lifestyle, goals and accomplishments. We wonder: what am I really doing?
This is natural, though. No one has all the answers; we figure it out as we go. But one of the best things you can do is mindfully return to centre.
At your core, you know what matters to you. Perhaps you don’t have the same career progression as your housemate from university, but quality time with your family brings you more joy than a promotion ever could. That entrepreneur lifestyle you see on socials? It might not be for you; it would steal all your sleep at night. You feel a pang in your heart when you imagine your neighbour's flawlessly clean home, but you’d rather spend ten minutes cuddling your baby than head-down scrubbing the toilet.
There are a million different ways to live your life, and thousands of choices to make each day. When we feel most aligned with our beliefs and values, we can make decisions that lead to genuine joy, fulfilling our hearts and minds as we hit the pillow each night.
Use this spring cleaning ritual to clear away mental and emotional clutter.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Grab a pencil or pen, find a quiet space, and complete the following questions below. Take as much time as you need, and be sure not to judge or question yourself along the way. Allow your words, ideas and thoughts to flow freely.
ACTIVITY
If no one else in the world could see me, what would I do each day?
What does true success feel like to me? Is this aligned with my goals?
What have I been envying in others? Would these things truly make me happy?
When do I feel most creative, inspired and centred? How can I add more of this to my life?
Whose expectations am I trying to live up to? Does it feel exhausting or inspiring?