Home for the Holidays
“We’re all just walking each other home.” - Ram Dass
December 14, 2023
After months of navigating the usual hurdles that come with finding and moving to a new apartment in NYC (as well as a few extra challenges that resembled scenes from the 1980s movie The Money Pit), I have finally settled into my new live/work space in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Brooklyn is my hometown, and I have now officially unpacked the very last box in my new home -woohoo! This has me thinking about, and feeling enormously grateful for, this experience of home.
I’ve moved around quite a bit over the last 15 years. I’ve lived in China, India, and a handful of cities in California and Oregon. I’ve also bounced around to a few different locations in Brooklyn since I moved back to New York. But this is the first place I’ve lived in a long time that has actually felt like home to me. I would not trade any of the adventures I’ve had along the way, but there is nothing quite like that feeling of coming home.
No matter where you call home or what the weather there, I hope you are finding ways to stay cozy and calm as you move through your days. However, given the chaos that usually accompanies this time of year and everything else that's happening in the world right now, it would make a lot of sense if you're not.
So, here are Five 5-Minute Self-Care Exercises to help you remember to be extra kind and gentle with yourself and encourage you to make time for self-care every single day. It will have a positive impact, even if it's super simple and super quick.
Five 5-Minute Self-Care Exercises
Sit with your eyes closed and listen to a song you love. (Never underestimate the healing power of sound.)
Bundle up (if necessary) and stand/sit outside for a few minutes, just observing (no phone time allowed during this exercise please). Let yourself be nourished by whatever surrounds you - even in the city you can always find something delightful if you're paying attention; challenge yourself to notice the good stuff. See if you can find at least one positive focal point for each of your senses.
Do some Stream of Consciousness Writing and give your brain an outlet for persistent thoughts. (If you’re not familiar with this practice, there will be more on this in my next post.)
Do a Body Scan and breathe into any place you’re holding tension. This exercise is all about intention, don’t worry about doing it right. Imagine your breath flowing into whatever part of you needs it most and untangling the tension you’re holding there. You may not notice it right away, but you will reap huge benefits from doing this regularly.
Sip a cup of hot tea (many of you know I love me some Throat Coat tea - it helped me survive the world of little-kid-germs when I was an early childhood teacher and I will forever be a fan). Choose one you like, and notice how your body responds to the simple pleasure of holding a warm mug in your hands; drink in all that warmth. This one will take less than 5 minutes to make, but longer to enjoy - please sip slowly and don't burn your tongue!