1. Bring a book to the waiting room.
And bingo! You’re no longer waiting, you’re having some well earned me-time! ‘Don’t rush doc, I wanna finish this chapter!!’
2. Talk to a plant!
Not only is it scientifically proven that plants grow better if you water them with kind words, a plant is also a trustworthy living thing, that will never judge or get mad at you. Just think of the secrets you could share! Just like talking to a pet, it’s a wonderful thing to share your thoughts and ramble out loud freely. Don’t have a plant yet? Try a supermarket Rosemary or mint. Affordable, super easy to care for, and an amazing addition to your kitchen too!
3. Bake your own sourdough.
It’s really easy. And the yeast created in your own home is suited to your gut and environment, so it’s kind to your tummy. Your house smells great and you have a hobby! Here’s my recipe!
4. Ask for help
Not as easy as it sounds right? Do it anyway! If you admit you need a hand now and then it allows the people around you into your world, and it also let's them know it's okay to ask for help when they need it. A win-win!
5. Play music while you’re travelling.
Remember, you’re not in traffic, you are traffic. But that doesn’t mean you have to be miserable! Don’t think of journeys as a chore - they can be an opportunity to spend quality time with people. Or peaceful alone time. At the very least, make it a time for enjoying some great tunes!
6. Say ‘Thank you!’ to your body.
In a world that teaches us our bodies are valued only by the way they look, step in and defend yourself from this nonsense with some wisdom. Thank it for being strong, thank it for being soft. Thank it for all the things it does well. Thank it for trying to do the things that it struggles with, and being resilient when things are tough. Shout ‘Well done knees!’ at the top of a hill if you like! Tend to it with warm water and lovely scented potions. Wrap it up in cuddly blankets. Don’t make it feel guilty when it needs or wants things. Check it’s healthy and nourish it with food. And the people around you might learn to love their bodies a little more too!
7. Tidy up Before Bed.
Do something today that your future self with thank you for. Tidy up before bed, and wake up to the knowledge that you are an angel of serenity, who really has their shit together! If you really want to smash life, tackle the front end of the day too. Make the bed as soon as you get up. It’s so lovely to come back to, even if that’s just half an hour later for a nap!
8. Chop Your Own Wood.
Okay this one’s not mine - but it’s great! Chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice. And this metaphor still applies even if you don’t own a wood burner. It also applies to anything where the work is just as beneficial as the reward. Tending your own garden, for instance. SO good for your mind and body. Not just having a pretty garden, but being present, mindful and restored through the effort it involves. How else will you appreciate the buds, the butterflies, the scents of the garden? When else will you find the time to hear the birds singing or the pitter patter of raindrops on the leaves? You must spend time in nature to learn it’s secrets, and discover how to appreciate and encourage new growth.
9. Get outside! There's a beautiful world out there that is even more gorgeous than the internet, I promise! Go find some green space and hear the birds sing.
10. Finally, take your meds. You are important to this world, we need you well!
