Sacred Self-Care Rituals

End of the UBC, Fall Edition 2024

10/31/2024

Well, here we are again!

Congratulations on hanging in there until the end, no matter how many blog posts you shared. It was good to see you and talk to you, and I hope you'll be back again in January.

A Reminder: Check Your Stats

Did you check your blog's stats yet? I sometimes forget to do it by the last day of the month and then those stats are completely irretrievable.

But I remembered this time.

Though I wish I'd more than 278 page views and 171 visitors, I'm also glad for everyone who did stop by!

And I found out that my 2 top blogs posts were Sacred Cosmic Cozy Warmth and Spiritual Sunday: Try this Exercise for Creating Peace. My fall blog posts did well, too.

How was your month?

Christmas Cookie Holiday Spray

I've gotten into the habit of giving you guys something at the end of the challenge.

And last night, I decided my living room needed some refreshing and I'd better refill my empty bottle of the sugar cookie spray I'd made. But I cheat, by using a fragrance oil from P & J.

They say those fragrance oils will kill you, but what a way to go!

However, I thought I'd give you a basic recipe and then, suggest the ratio of essential oils if you want a Christmas Cookie fragrance...

4 tablespoons of witch hazel
4 tablespoons of distilled water
15-30 drops of your favorite essential oil

You can either add your essential oils to an empty bottle and then add a blend of the witch hazel and distilled water, or mix all three in a measuring cup and then pour the whole blend into your glass bottle. Rub side to side between your hands to blend it all together.

Now, I added 30 drops of Sugar Cookie fragrance oil.

You could add...

15 drops of lemon
15 drops of vanilla absolute
5 drops of cardamom

So the whole recipe would be...

4 tablespoons of witch hazel
4 tablespoons of distilled water
15 drops of lemon
15 drops of vanilla absolute
5 drops of cardamom

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Love you guys!!

Jeanine

10 Comments

Romanticizing Your Life

10/29/2024

9 Comments

When I think of romanticizing your life, I think of doing something that makes your experience of life delightful. What comes to your mind when you see or hear those words?

The truth is, this is a concept that will mean different things to different people.

One common theme seems to be making changes in the way you experience your everyday life that are authentic to who you, that reflect your values (conventional or not) and make your life more pleasing to you. Watch these videos for more discussion on this topic...

The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life. - William Morris

The second video is my favorite, though the first one felt more realistic. When I am either sick or depressed, I'd never be able to accomplish everything she did in the second video.

But I loved how pretty everything was, and how magical she made life. Both videos inspired me.

Did they you?

I'm not sure how many good changes I can make in my current living situation, but asking what might be possible is a good place to start.

I encourage you, too, to pause for a moment and ask what you might want and what might be possible when it comes to having a romanticized life.

See you next time!

love, Jeanine

9 Comments

5 Ways to Regulate Your Nervous System this Holiday Season

10/25/2024

8 Comments

Rebalancing your nervous system means getting back to a state where you feel calm and centered. - Calm.com

5 Ways to Regulate Your
Nervous System

(1) Practice deep breathing while listening to jazzy, nostalgic Christmas music for 5-10 minutes.

You also could add a holiday-scented candle to the mix and watch the flickering flame.

(2) Spend several hours with people who get you, who love and accept you unconditionally.

Planning a Christmas party? These are the people to invite.

(3) Try a mindfulness meditation with a holiday theme. Like this one...

Mindfulness Meditation Moment

Get comfy, close your eyes, and take a slow, deep breath. Picture yourself in the middle of a cozy holiday moment and let yourself soak in the experience.

As you breathe in, imagine a warm, glowing light inside you, a little spark of joy. This is your inner spirit, lighting up your path to the best version of yourself.

And as you breathe out, let go of any stress or worries. Feel the heaviness lift, leaving you calm and centered.

Take one last deep breath, and when you feel ready, open your eyes.

Which One Do You Need Today?

(4) Start singing your favorite Christmas carols. Keep going until you notice how much better you're feeling.

(5) Get a good night's sleep, and if that is many hours away, take a nap, with a cozy holiday blanket.

So, of the five ideas, which one do you need most, or are you most eager to try?

See you next time!

Love, Jeanine

8 Comments

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Moments of Joy

10/23/2024

0 Comments

Try this - take a slow, deep breath, and as you release it, let go of any stress or discomfort and welcome joy. Then take a moment or two to let yourself remember moments of joy in your life.

Notice how it feels to do so. Can you identify any common themes or elements in your joyful experiences?

Here are some of mine...

0 Comments

What if Your Life Purpose is Joy?

10/22/2024

11 Comments

Joy is the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying. - Dictionary.com

When I was younger, and I was asked what I wanted to do or become, I found it difficult to answer. I felt like I was supposed to say something like journalist, teacher, nurse or therapist, when my prevailing heart wish was just to be happy.

Do you know your heart wish? What if it's your life purpose?

Life Purpose: Joy, Laughter
and Happiness

Because true joy lives in moments, it's a lot simpler and easier to find than happiness.
- The Aesthetics of Joy

From different sources and at different times, the message keeps coming to me that my soul's purpose, my life purpose, my ultimate purpose is joy. And the mentor I admire most, Kerry K., says that as lightworkers, our most important mission right now is to focus on our inner world and stay connected to it.

Well, you'd think that I would be happier about that goal since I spent decades dedicated to happiness. Even when I began to understand that I was a healer, my purpose just broadened to include the happiness of others.

And in 2016 and 2017, before my mother got sick with cancer and then passed away less than six months later, I was winning!

I was sold out to hygge and coziness (anyone remember that?) And my thinking was this: you flood your day with as many hygge moments as you can, and each day, those moments will nullify, or at least offset the challenges you face.

It felt like that was working.

Then my mother died, and my life descended into hell.

And though life is much better now, six years later, I'm not the same person I was then.

The idea of a life built around comfort and joy sounds weird. But I've been getting intuitive guidance that suggests that my life is about to shift into an even better experience, where happiness and joy are more possible than ever.

Coupled with this idea of joy as a purpose, I'm thinking I better get used to the idea?

Unfortunately, though, contrary to my own popular opinion, I don't think I recovered as much as I thought I did from those 5 days without power (and light.) But I am doing what I can to be there for myself - including lots of time with my light box.

And luckily, Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas started last weekend! Christmastime is here!!

Is Your Life Purpose Joy, too?

What do you think about this idea of having joy as a life purpose?

I quoted the article from that joy website and in it, she says that because defining our own happiness is complicated, we are more likely to think we should be happy than to know that we are happy. But she goes on to assert that we all can decide whether or not we feel joyful in any given moment and we could probably answer easily if someone asked us this question...

What would bring you joy right now?

So if it is my purpose and yours, life might be as simple as asking ourselves each day, or each week, what would bring us joy, and then arranging our lives to honor that heart wish.

What's in the Way of Your Joy?

Find out what's killing your joy by taking the quiz at The Aesthetics of Joy.

I took it & my biggest joy-killer was perfectionism (fear of failure). Second was being a taskmaster because secretly, I don't believe I deserve joy.

If you take it, tell me in a comment what your top two are.

See you next time!

Love, Jeanine

11 Comments

The 7-Step Fall Reset that Will Actually Get Your Life Together

10/17/2024

13 Comments

I haven't felt like writing for a while now. So once I posted all the ones I had in the hopper, plus the ones that just started writing themselves in my head spontaneously, I just stopped.

With some curiosity, I observed this shift and wondered if that was going to be it for this month.

I knew what was going on. I haven't quite been the same since Hurricane Helene gave me five days of darkness.

But also, I paid a really big bill and now my savings account is depressed. I've been trying to console her, but it's not working as well as I'd hoped.

And then, this morning, I saw this video in my YouTube feed...

Me - aha! Here's something I could write a blog post about.

Also me - you already wrote a fall post.

Me - but this one's different. I think they'll like it. Especially if they watch the video.

Also me - well, it is amusing, so maybe you're right. (Sigh) Okay.

Me - we can put on lake/lapping water sounds to listen to while you write it.

Also me - sold!

So now, I present to you - "The Ultimate Fall Reset that Will Actually Get Your Life Together"

The Ultimate Fall Reset List

Wasn't that video adorable?

Part of the time I was watching it, I was wondering if I could put videos together like that, and with careful editing, also be adorable on video.

The cool thing was, it wasn't just cute, I actually found it helpful. So I decided to do the things on the list...

(1) Create a Cozy Ambiance

Hmm. Maybe I can find a cute little quilted pumpkin somewhere and stick it on the coffee table or dining table.

But meanwhile, maybe imagining cozy fall decor would help...

(2) Plan a Morning Fall Routine

So for this one, she says to understand that your routines can change with each season, because you'll feel different as the seasons change. And one of my goals is to understand and then honor my own rhythms, especially as they change with the seasons.

And I think what's best for me in the fall is to expose myself to as much daylight as is possible, even if it's through the window. So if I had complete control of myself :), the first part of my ideal morning routine would start with getting up around 7am.

That might mean I could take a delicious afternoon nap each day, right after brunch (I'm not much of an early eater), and still get enough time in front of my light box.

I invite you to play along, so how would you start you ideal fall morning routine?

I'd like for my morning routine to include a cup of tea, and preferably, I'd be sitting in a cozy chair next to or near a window. And I'll be moving within the next few months, so that cozy tea with a view, might become possible.

Notice how I've now added nature to my morning routine? Another way to add nature could include fall scenes on one of my devices, complete with nature sounds.

What would be next on your list?

I also like the idea of adding music to my fall morning routine - well, probably year-round. Because I read recently that 40 minutes of music each day will help to replace the dopamine you lose as fall reduces the available daylight.

Which reminds me - get your fall changes in place before November, when we change the time, because you're probably going to need at least a week just to recover from that!

Well, so far, I've got 4 things to add to my morning routine on days that I can manage to do them...

-get up with the sun
-have morning tea by the window
-watch fall nature scenes
-listen to music

What's on your list?

(3) Plan an Event to Look Forward to this Fall

For me, this is moving, and Thanksgiving! Hopefully, moving before Thanksgiving.

In the video, she mentions a crafting get-together with friends.

And I do have some friends I'd like to get-together with this fall. Not for the "we're all getting old," $100 class of 82 dinner, but possibly for the next less-expensive planning session for that dinner.

What about you?

(4) Prep Your Fall-Spiced Treat

For months, I have been trying to find the perfect autumn tea.

It would have apple and cinnamon. Maybe even apple cider and cinnamon. But it would not be a rooibos tea (it's not really tea), or have things like blackberry, or black currant or other evil fruits added to it!

Well, today I learned that I can walk away from the path of endless searching, and instead, choose the path where I make my own damn syrup and add it to regular black tea. And this is the moment where I choose option #2.

In the sacred dance of flavors and energies, creating an apple cinnamon syrup is akin to crafting a potion of warmth and solace. This alchemical blend of nature’s gifts not only enhances your tea but also invites you to embark on a journey of sensory awakening and inner peace. - Canva's AI

Oh my god! Why does Canva's Magic Write think that this is my custom voice? Sheesh.

THE RECIPE: Apple Cider Syrup

4 cups of apple cider (I prefer Martinelli's)
1/2 a cup of cinnamon sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Then you heat it up and stir on the stove, and when everything is blended, let it cool, before using or storing in the fridge.

Over to YOU

(1) Do you have a better apple cinnamon syrup recipe?

(2) What's your favorite fall drink treat?

(5) Try Before You Panic Buy

So this is about not being influenced by social media or fall fashion ads. Instead, she advised trying on the fall clothes you already have, so you'll know exactly what you need.

But my fall clothes were right there in the closet, so I already knew what I needed. And I am happy with the fall capsule wardrobe I've created.

I haven't worn a lot of them yet, but I've loved the outfits I've worn, so far.

What about you? Have you done your fall shopping yet?

(6) Make a Cozy Fall Reading List

I love this idea, and I did deliberately buy fall-themed romance novels this year. I think I only have one left to read, so I may have to go find a few more.

On the other hand, Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas begins tomorrow, so I may find that my preference shifts to Christmas books, instead.

What have you been reading? And do you have a reading list?

(7) Make a Fall Bucket List

And finally, we come to the final step in getting your life together, by planning for fall. :)

It's making a fall bucket list.

And I was about to say that I don't have one, but I suppose I do.

-Creating a fall wardrobe was on it, and I have done that.

-Reading fall-themed books is another bucket list item I can check off the list.

-My church does God on Broadway every October, which I love! They decorate a set and make costumes and sing songs from a Broadway play, and then the sermon relates to it in some way.

CONFESSION - some years, this is the only time I go to church. And I missed the first one this month, but watched it on YouTube and now, have seen the 2nd one. So it looks like this one will be checked off, too.

So only three things are left...

-spending Thanksgiving with my friends and family.

-drinking apple cinnamon tea

-buying the rest of my Christmas gifts between now and the end of November, without spending more than I intend to spend.

How about you? Have you made a fall bucket list?

And do you now feel that your life will be okay, once you get the things on this fall reset list in place?

See you next time!

love, Jeanine

13 Comments

Are You a Wayshower?

10/15/2024

10 Comments

Healers, mystics and lightworkers may have a common mission, but some are here to play specific roles within it. Today, let's look at the role of wayshower...

Wayshowers inspire goodness in others by embodying their teachings. They live authentically, spreading love and light wherever they go. As living embodiments of truth, they radiate authenticity, reminding others of their divine purpose. - 12 Types of Lightworkers

10 Signs that You're a Wayshower

(1) It's been hard for you to land on one career choice and you are a jack of all trades.

(2) Though that is true, you still haven't found your perfect fit.

(3) You know that you have issues with self-neglect and self-abandonment.

(4) You struggle with boundaries, both for yourself and with others.

(5) You are self-aware and always working on your own healing or personal/spiritual growth.

(6) You have lost yourself and then reinvented yourself many times.

(7) All your life you've felt like you don't fit in.

(8) You are the first in your family to awaken.

(9) You had a challenging, traumatic childhood.

(10) People who need help are drawn to you.

Emotional Self-Care
for Wayshowers

Make emotional self-care a daily practice and give yourself moments of peace throughout the day.

Think of every mindful moment as a sacred ritual that can allow you to release thoughts and feelings, and center yourself again, in peace. It can even create space for joy to return, once the negativity is cleared.

Make a practice of checking in with yourself, instead of just ignoring your feelings and soldiering on. Ask yourself what stories you’re carrying that no longer serve you, and then watch for them to pop up, so you can release them again, until they are gone for good.

Even a moment of slow, deep breathing can separate you from thoughts and feelings that were getting in your way.

Try it now and take a couple of deep breaths, letting them out slowly. As you inhale, breathe in your own healing light. As you exhale, let go of any tension or stress you’re carrying.

Imagine that you are sending all negative energy out of your body and into the earth to be transmuted. And what comes back to you from the earth is love and peace.

Wayshowers have the powerful ability to heal and guide people by just living as their authentic selves. - Call of the Wayshower

Are you a wayshower?

See you next time!

love, Jeanine

10 Comments

Spiritual Sunday: Try this Exercise for Creating Peace

10/13/2024

9 Comments

Dr. Karen Kan is a mentor whose videos I've shared here before. I admire the way she can create quick processes to try that offer healing or peace.

Today she talks about a familiar lightworker concept - expanding your light. But then she says, "what if we expand the stillpoint, instead?"

I tried it myself and it felt SO peaceful!

I've been feeling kind of antsy lately, sometimes even a bit cranky. And my light box feels like it is no longer strong enough, even though it's 10,000 lux.

In other words, it's fall. Or an experience of fall that follows a recent experience of five days of darkness.

But this brief process centered me and gave me some peace. Try it yourself and tell me if it felt peaceful to you, too.

Happy Sunday!

love, Jeanine

9 Comments

Autumn Mindfulness: Do You Ever Feel Like Fall Just Slips Away from You?

10/11/2024

4 Comments

Have you found ways yet to really sink into autumn? We're about at its middle, so now is the time if you haven't already.

Every season is one of transformation. You can observe that, just by watching what happens in nature. And I would say, too, that they each bring their own energy.

So if we can be mindful, and tune into those subtle shifts as they occur, then we can align our own energy and daily practices to the seasonal changes we observe.

But to be honest, I sometimes forget to pay attention. And then, later, I feel like I missed it.

So let's look at how we can all plant our feet solidly in autumn, before it gives way to winter.

Autumn's Seasonal Changes

What have you noticed, so far, with the seasonal shifts fall is making?

I'm noticing cooler morning temperatures, earlier sunsets - which means a shortening of the days - and more beauty in the way the sun covers the leaves of the trees I can see through the window. That last one might be because of the changing color of the leaves.

But I'm also noticing that fall is shifting me.

Early fall is often the time when there's just enough light for me. I still use my light box, but I don't feel so anxious about making sure I get enough time in front of it.

By mid-October, though, I begin craving carbs and I start adding a little more to my plate at dinner. I also notice when it gets dark after a summer of barely being aware of the day transitioning to night.

Are you noticing any changes in yourself?

Let's think through how to get the most of these fall days, while also prioritizing self-care rituals and spiritual practices that nurture us, as we notice nature's transitions and our own.

Fall self-care rituals can be as simple as wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket with a steaming mug of spiced tea, or as elaborate as creating a full autumn-themed spa day at home, complete with a pumpkin-scented face mask or body butter.

Fall Self-Care Journal Prompts

Here are some journal/reflection question to get you thinking...

How can you create a cozy, nurturing space for yourself at home this fall?

List some fall activities that could make you feel more centered, grounded and present.

What are some of your favorite fall scents? How can you incorporate them into your daily routine so you can enjoy them more?

How can you simplify your schedule to reduce stress this fall?

What is one way you can reconnect with yourself this fall?

Visualize a fall self-care ritual you would like to try this year.

What fall self-care practice do you want to focus on the most this year?

How can you ease the transition into winter and the holiday season?

Choose Comfort & Make Time
for Yourself this Fall

I'd like to encourage you to consider making these commitments to yourself for the remainder of fall...

I commit to slowing down and making time to enjoy the comfort and coziness of fall and allow my home to become a cozy sanctuary.

I commit to a comforting morning routine, a daily rhythm that soothes me and to practicing self-care in small moments throughout the day.

I commit to quiet, peaceful moments alone to help me stay centered, grounded and present.

I commit to reconnecting with myself & my intentions this fall by giving myself time for reflection.

I commit to being gentle with myself as the season changes, and to honoring my needs.

Two Fall Ritual Ideas
I Recommend

(1) Harvest Ritual - light a fall scented candle, grab your journal and reflect on the seeds you planted toward the beginning of the year. What has your harvest been?

Celebrate with a slice of apple pie. Or at least a cup of tea or a pumpkin spiced latte :)

(2) Letting Go Ritual - light a tealight candle and then make a list of what was not harvested this year, or of experiences that challenged you in some way.

Celebrate the ways they shaped you that you are thankful for, and then let go of the rest, by putting the list underneath the candle. When it burns out, the ritual is complete. If you have a fire pit or fireplace, you could use them, instead and literally watch your list burn away.

My Own Fall Experiences

I have been loving fall scents this season!

I also have transformed my wardrobe into a thing of beauty, all with autumn colors.

Although I didn't do either recommended ritual process within a ritual, I did do the contemplation and the letting go. More than once, actually.

Hurricane Helene stole almost a week of light from me, but I rebounded within a few days once the power was back on.

And I'm hoping to acquire a pumpkin candle soon, and a new journal, so my fall self-care rituals will get an upgrade. I'm also adding more time in front of my light, so I'll feel better emotionally.

My Hope for us this Fall

I'm hoping that if we can think through a few journal questions, try a ritual or two and honor commitments like these, then not only will we enjoy fall more, we'll ease into the holiday season and be empowered to make the most of it as well.

What have you done or will you do to honor fall?

See you next time!

Love, Jeanine

4 Comments

Wordless Wednesday: Stillness

10/9/2024

0 Comments

Silence speaks to you by meeting your presence with its own. - Kerry K.

Try it now for a moment.

Drop your shoulders and take a couple of slow, deep breaths. Notice the space around you. It's your energy field and you could think of it as being part of your soul or higher self (as are you).

Continue to breathe deeply and connect with that energy for another minute or so. Ask, from the heart, if there's anything you need to know and see what comes to you.

0 Comments

<<Previous

End of the UBC, Fall Edition 2024

A Reminder: Check Your Stats

Christmas Cookie Holiday Spray

Romanticizing Your Life

5 Ways to Regulate Your Nervous System this Holiday Season

5 Ways to Regulate Your
Nervous System

Mindfulness Meditation Moment

Which One Do You Need Today?

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Moments of Joy

What if Your Life Purpose is Joy?

Life Purpose: Joy, Laughter
and Happiness

Is Your Life Purpose Joy, too?

What's in the Way of Your Joy?

The 7-Step Fall Reset that Will Actually Get Your Life Together

The Ultimate Fall Reset List

(1) Create a Cozy Ambiance

(2) Plan a Morning Fall Routine

(3) Plan an Event to Look Forward to this Fall

(4) Prep Your Fall-Spiced Treat

(5) Try Before You Panic Buy

(6) Make a Cozy Fall Reading List

(7) Make a Fall Bucket List

Are You a Wayshower?

10 Signs that You're a Wayshower

Emotional Self-Care
for Wayshowers

Spiritual Sunday: Try this Exercise for Creating Peace

Autumn Mindfulness: Do You Ever Feel Like Fall Just Slips Away from You?

Autumn's Seasonal Changes

Fall Self-Care Journal Prompts

Choose Comfort & Make Time
for Yourself this Fall

Two Fall Ritual Ideas
I Recommend

My Own Fall Experiences

My Hope for us this Fall

Wordless Wednesday: Stillness

Hi, I'm Jeanine

Archives

Categories

A Reminder: Check Your Stats

Christmas Cookie Holiday Spray

5 Ways to Regulate Your ​Nervous System

Mindfulness Meditation Moment

Which One Do You Need Today?

Life Purpose: Joy, Laughter​and Happiness

Is Your Life Purpose Joy, too?

What's in the Way of Your Joy?

The Ultimate Fall Reset List

(1) Create a Cozy Ambiance

(2) Plan a Morning Fall Routine

(3) Plan an Event to Look Forward to this Fall

(4) Prep Your Fall-Spiced Treat

(5) Try Before You Panic Buy

(6) Make a Cozy Fall Reading List

(7) Make a Fall Bucket List

10 Signs that You're a Wayshower

Emotional Self-Care ​for Wayshowers

Autumn's Seasonal Changes

Fall Self-Care Journal Prompts

Choose Comfort & Make Time ​for Yourself this Fall

Two Fall Ritual Ideas ​I Recommend

My Own Fall Experiences

My Hope for us this Fall

Hi, I'm Jeanine

Archives

Categories

5 Ways to Regulate Your
Nervous System

Life Purpose: Joy, Laughter
and Happiness

Emotional Self-Care
for Wayshowers

Choose Comfort & Make Time
for Yourself this Fall

Two Fall Ritual Ideas
I Recommend