Cultivating Life and Love that Grows
It's hard to believe it's already the final day of February. A new moon is leading us into a new month, which has me thinking about intentions and action, but most of all, how we love others and how we love ourselves.
You've all heard “The grass is greener on the other side.” And I'm sure you've also heard the saying “The grass is greener where you water it.” When it comes to anything we care about in life, this saying couldn't be more true. However, so often, and for whatever reasons we come up with, we don't take the time to water what needs it the most: This can range from chasing our dreams, being committed to our health and well-being, our relationships with family, friends, and co-workers, to our love relationships. Let's be honest, we can get lazy sometimes.
All of these things require a delicate balance and a level of commitment in order for them to thrive, which is why owning a plant or having a garden is a perfect metaphor. If you don't water a plant, it will die. If you water a plant too much, it will die. If you don't give it enough sunlight or if you give it too much sunlight, same thing. So, how can we begin to find this balance?
Let's take some advice from artist, Anoushey Ashraf, on five non-negotiable days you should schedule every month. Let's see if we can start with one of these things this weekend and then you have the entire month of March to complete. This is a great place to start.
1. Get Your Shit Together Day - This is a day to clear away the clutter. Clean up your space, put that laundry away, pay your bills, organize your inbox and desktop, do meal prep for the week, and run those errands you've been putting off. If you do this regularly, it will keep everything from getting out of control. I'm a fan of doing this weekly.
2. Unplug Day - This may be one of the hardest to do, for me included. But I'm going to commit to one day this month. Put your phones down, turn off your notifications, log out of social media. For 24 hours, avoid technology. Instead, go for a hike, have some friends over, read a book, journal your thoughts and your ideas. There is so much good that can come from this, and your mental health may even improve.
3. Be A Tourist Day - How often do we get out and explore our cities as if we didn't live there? Lucky for me, Los Angeles has a million brand new things I've not yet experienced. But no matter where you live, get out and explore a random neighborhood, try a restaurant you've never been to, take photos like it's your first time there. You may be surprised by what you find. Ashraf explains how routine makes time fly. Exploration can slow it down. Sometimes we need to get out and see the world with fresh eyes.
4. Reconnection Day - We all get so busy, and our relationships are what makes life meaningful. Take some time to connect with your lover, your friends, catch up with your family, grab a coffee with a mentor. Human connection inspires magic.
5. Mini-Adventure Day - Do something new. Do something small. Just do SOMETHING. Try a rock climbing class, or a rage room, or axe throwing. Go bowling. Take a pottery class. Whatever it is, just get out there and have an adventure.
Too often, we let the days roll by, often bitching about how we're not that happy or excited. When your friends ask how you're doing, you just sort of grumble a response that resembles, "Same ole' same ole'." We look at our neighbors grass and get overwhelmed by the dullness in ours. But what steps are we taking to actually water ourselves and our relationships in order to make our lives and those the lives of those who matter to us more rich? BTW, you don't have to have a ton of money to do any of these things.
Life is meant to be lived. And to experience JOY. It's over before we know it. Set an intention and stick with it to live as fully as you possibly can. By doing these things, you are watering your life, and those around you.
I hope you have an inspired af weekend.
Until next week, I love you.
Lindsay M
Thank you, my friend! This is a wonderful post!!! Love you♥️