Daily practice
Making time for you
How does your day start? Do you jump out of bed, shower, coffee/tea/breakfast, and begin work? That was how my mornings started a year ago. Now it looks more like: wake up, journal, walk the dog, tea, shower, meditate and set my goals for the day. Every day does not look like that but I do my best to weave these practices in as much as possible. I learned how to create a daily practice from friends, teachers and by trusting my intuition.
When considering a daily personal practice, remember it is unique to you. It can be very simple or as elaborate as you desire. It is a practice that brings you joy, nourishment and emotional growth. It can provide healing and lead to wholeness.
My personal practice includes a blend of writing, meditation, mantra and yoga. It contains the same elements each day but looks different each time. I give it (and myself) space to transform and grow over time.
Here are a few things tips on making a sustainable and enjoyable personal practice.
Choose a practice that brings you joy
When you are first starting out, you may be trying different practices to see which one is right for you. As you are in this process, notice which practices bring you joy, increase your creativity and energy. It’s your practice and the more joy it brings you, the more likely you will stay committed to it and receive the benefits of it.
Commit to a practice you have the time and energy for today
You might start by committing to five minutes of guided breathing or meditation. No length of practice is too little - it’s more important that you can do it each day. You can grow it over time. In yoga the Sanskrit word sadhana refers to practice. A traditional sadhana is forty days - modern science tells us it takes approximately thirty days to create new habit. Try committing to forty days and see where it takes you!
Create a practice space in your home that gives you a sense of clarity and ease
To set up your space, include any of these items: yoga mat and/or meditation cushion, blankets, pillows, journal, books, and writing utensil. Add on objects that bring you joy – candles, incense, essential oils, plants. If possible choose a place in your home with few technological devices. You can use small spaces and temporary spaces. Consider your space sacred – a space where you treasure your body, breath and feelings.
Trust that your practice will be fruitful over time
Consider your practice like a plant growing in a garden. You start by planting the seed in healthy soil, watering it, protecting it from bugs, giving it sunlight and tending to it through its whole life. The plant will naturally take time to grow, flower and produce fruit. The more consistently we tend to our plant, the healthier it becomes. Each plant’s timing and needs are different. All of this applies to our practice.
Give yourself grace when it is hard to show up for your practice
We all have days where it is hard to show up. This is natural. Please be kind to yourself. On these days try being in your practice space or finding a quiet space to sit. Try doing a modified version of your practice like conscious breathing. When you’re done thank yourself for showing up and carry that sense of compassionate awareness with you into whatever you are doing next.
Create balance in your life outside of practice
Your practice will strengthen your daily life and your daily life will strengthen your practice. All the things we consume through our senses affect our energy. Nutrient rich foods, quality deep sleep, regular movement and limited screen time will prepare us for sitting with ourselves in awareness.
May your practice provide growth and illumination!
