Little Steps and Big Patterns
Hello hello!
Spring has sprung, the weather is warmer and fleeting cherry blossoms have returned to our front yard in Westchester.
I’m back to lying on the grass, next to our massive Norway maple. And while reaching for lighter layers in my closet, I’ve been thinking of little steps and big patterns.
As the Annie Dillard quote goes, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour, and that one, is what we are doing.”
So instead of always thinking of my big purpose and plan (ever present at the back of my mind, the winding road to authorship and publication), I also like to ask a bunch of tinier questions. What’s important at this particular hour? Writing at the expense of a chaotic kitchen? Spending a few extra minutes kootchie-kooing the cat or taking a cat nap?
Being acutely conscious of every hour, its energy, and what is most important in that moment and what we need from that time might sound exhausting, but if practiced with intention, can also be supremely rewarding. This is super important especially while switching between multiple tasks and roles tapping into different parts of our brain and identities. A few of mine for example: writer, creative, thinker, mystic, wanderer, mom, wife, daughter, sister and avid reader among others.
What about you? Are you conscious of the interconnected patterns in your life? The small feeding into the big, the big feeding into the small, a dance that might seem random but has patterns underneath.
My ongoing work these days is to keep a handle on those interconnections, big and small.
One little example: when the physical space around me is organized, so is my mind. I always feel better after decluttering. So I’ve decided after I get through the current draft of the book I’m working on, I will block 2-3 days on my calendar just for decluttering and organizing.
Simplicity in choice of what we’re eating, drinking & yes – thinking, can be beautiful. As can be the power of small steps. When I pull myself out of the funk of home chores, parenting and writing related work, for a short walk, I’m instantly energized.
Just those few extra steps out of the house or my co-working space give me much needed fresh air, a change in rhythm, and boost my adrenaline. It’s not rocket science and yet we all need to be reminded of the beauty and power of consistent physical activity, however time-constrained we are. This is not only about going to the gym, or having time carved out on the calendar for workouts, but about micro-movements throughout the day, like stretching, climbing stairs, walking, dancing while doing chores, even if only for a few minutes at a time.
Other simple hacks that have been working for me:
1. No caffeine for the first half-hour to one hour after waking up, just a bunch of water, and often, chia seeds soaked overnight. Tea or coffee follow later, without sugar.
2. Deep breathing for literally just a minute or two during the day when my Apple watch reminds me, or whenever I remember myself. A small, bountiful shift in gears.
3. Ayurveda strongly advocates self-massage, Abhyanga. I do a really quick version of this after my morning and night showers, always massaging upwards towards the heart, and have now come to love it.
If you’d like to share micro-habits and small steps that help you, I’d love to learn.
And once again, happy Spring!
Cheers,
Natasha