Another Flood and the Future, 9.24.24

 As I've spent the last few weeks revamping the exterior of the studio space, gathering some new art for my little gallery space at Blumenhof Winery, I've also been weighing the pros and cons of this little business and wondering what to do with it and about it.  I'm a firm believer in signs and that, somehow, the universe will show me what to do, if I just get still and listen. So, I've been doing a lot of that. This is what I've been shown. 

Yoga has been a regular part of my life for over 15 years. For the past 7 years, it has been my steady rock and almost constant focus, as without it, it felt like I would just float away. I held onto it like a lifeline. Now, through living my yoga (not just doing my yoga), I feel balanced and steady on my own. I can now loosen my grip a little, hanging on to the parts of my practice and lifestyle that I still need, and will always need, and let go of everything else that is not really serving me. 

I am still very passionate about the role yoga has in my life. That will never change. But gathering in person has proven to be difficult over these past 6 1/2 years. Now, I'm feeling a strong pull towards teaching only online. There are a few reasons for this. 

1) The first thing I considered was my own practice. I prefer to practice at home, in the morning, following along to an online class of some sort. I also like having the option of practicing at other times- not a set time of the day or day of the week. I'm just assuming that other people might think the same way. 

3) It's been hard to find my footing here with so many other options available in this area and there is not one ounce of me that feels competitive at this stage of my life. I would rather just keep looking forward on my own path, offering what I can. In the end, I think I have a unique combination of skills and I'm sure there are people out there who would benefit from them, maybe more so if they were offered in a convenient online format.

4). Retirement is just around the corner for me and it will be an entirely new chapter. My goal for this new chapter involves having a very open schedule- having time to work on some new art ideas I've been playing with, being able to travel and being available to help my kids and grand kids at a moments notice, if needed.

 And, finally, 5). The sign that prompted this post. After an awful basement flood over the summer, which covered (or rather, filled) 80% of the basement, including the studio, with disgusting, muddy water... it happened again, last night. That was the final straw. I took it as my sign to move forward and make some decisions about the future of the studio. So, I'll do just that as I take the time to deal with this muddy mess, once again. 

The studio will be closed until further notice. I will continue to hold the Yin Sundays at Blumenhof as long as there is interest and the weather holds out. Beyond that, I don't know. If you are interested and/or curious, be watching for another post. I would also love to hear comments or suggestions. If you are interested in my art, I will be updating my little gallery space at Blumenhof with lots of new art- manifestation mandalas, Reiki energy art, some traditional still life pieces and some custom options. Everything will be in place by the weekend, so check it out if you can. 

I would love your feedback about this decision. Would you take classes online? If so, what kind and what length of time would be most appealing to you? I hope to hear from you!

Talk to you soon!

Be Still. Be Strong. Be Happy.

Be Good.

Do Good.

~ Juli

Day Dreaming, 9.8.24

Perpetual soul searching is my thing. I've been daydreaming from as early as I can remember. Daydreaming, on the surface seems to be a waste of time, but I've accomplished quite a bit and each achievement started with a daydream. Now, 58 years in, I'm still daydreaming and soul searching. These days, my dreams lead me back to my kids and grand kids. At first I thought of this as "coming full circle", but then I realized that it's more like a pendulum, making it to full swing from one side to the other, then, finally, settling at neutral, or the set point. My set point will always be my kids and even though I've loved being of service to my students, both art and yoga, being of service to my kids is where I will settle.  

Even though being available for my kids will be my top priority, I will still have a lot of time on my hands. As I'm sure I've mentioned here before, I have many ideas, passions, plans, etc.- not just sometimes, but all of the time. With another change on the horizon, I need to prioritize, so it's been a little extra to be in my brain lately. As I've been searching for help with this, I've been reading about brain dumping and other ways to prioritize time and energy. One method that really resonated with me involves list making, my favorite! 

To do this, make three columns with the headings Passion, Practicality and Procurement. Then answer the questions, "What is my passion?"(What light you up?), "Is it practical?" (Will it easily fit into your lifestyle so it's achievable?) and "Will it lead to procurement?" (Will it help you achieve your goals?) 

First, list your passions (and every single subcategory of each one that you can think of). Then, starting back at the top, run each of the items on your list  through the practicality filter. Some of your ideas will immediately be eliminated if they aren't practical. From there, go back to determine if each one that checked off both the passion and practicality boxes, will also lead to the achievement of your end goal.  Each item on your list will either check all of the boxes or just one or two. Very quickly, you've narrowed down your options and you can go from there with a much clearer mind. 

It's such a relief to simplify your thought process. It is for me, at least. I'm not quite ready to announce what my list revealed, but I wanted to share the process with all of you, because of how helpful it was for me. (One hint about my answers is that it led to a major clean out of several spaces in my home, which is just an added bonus.) 

I hope this helps if you, like me, are overwhelmed with ideas and plans and just need a little help clearing your head of a few of them.

Be Still. Be Strong. Be Happy. 

Be Good. Do Good. 

~ Juli

P. S. Another recent discovery is journaling in the 3rd person. Pretty powerful stuff. No need to explain, just do it and you will know.

Healing Art, 8.23.24

  I've been teaching all of my classes about mindful art and how it can be a powerful tool to ease anxiety, improve focus and clarity, and calm the nervous system. Every, single, day I can see that I've made the right choice because these kids are starving for quiet and calm. It has made this first week, which started pretty crappy, end with feelings of hope and fulfillment. 

So, this first Friday of the first week of school, I came home and started on my own mindful art and also went back to some pieces that I started years ago and never finished. When I read the words I had written around the perimeter of this mandala, I was taken right back to one of the hardest times of my life, but also to the very beginning of my healing.  I turned to art making when I'm surprised I could focus on anything at all. But I got a start. It seems fitting that it has been sitting, unfinished for 6 years, waiting.

Now it's time to bring it "full circle". I finished it with new words, along with before and after dates, so I'll always my remember why this mandala is so significant. 

This is just more evidence of the  power of art and I'm so happy to spread the joy of it. 

Above: 2018 (top), 2024 (bottom) 

(Different house=different lighting=different colors!)

Be Still. Be Strong. Be Happy. 

Be Good. 

Do Good. 

~Juli

8 Don'ts and 1 Do, 8.17.2024

I told you in the last post why and how I ended up here: art teacher turned yoga teacher and Reiki Practitioner.  Now for the "how" I made it here, feeling better and more confident than ever? Well, I made a lot of mistakes, that's for sure ( I'll get to those below). But, in the end, I had to learn how to turn the negative into a positive. I had to look at my situation from the outside in, rather than the inside out. I had to surrender to the fact that I could only control myself and to the fact that this trauma, crisis, grief, etc. was placed before me to make me better- to learn the lesson, move on, and help others do the same.

So, to recover from a traumatic event, work through a crisis, survive a loss, etc., here are my DONT'S: (feel free to add yours in the comments, as every situation is different. People experience things differently and we are all here to help each other. These suggestions come from my own experience.  

1) Don't react . (If you must, make it a thoughtful response, not an irrational reaction.)

2) Don't vent. (If you must, vent to yourself in the mirror, or just make sure you trust the person you vent to 150%!)

3) Don't think that just reading things you see online will be all you need to pull yourself out of despair (This is what I call a pit. A pit that you can't crawl out of and honestly, sometimes don't want to crawl out of). Reading remedies, motivational quotes, affirmations, etc., can't hurt, but if you are at the point of despair (in your pit) you need much more than that. Tell someone how you are feeling and get professional help. 

4) Don't let what other people say about you cause you to feel differently about yourself. You know who you are and if you know you are a good person, a good parent, a good friend, etc., that is all you should be thinking about. When someone who is angry and resentful about something in their own life directs that negative energy onto you, it's not about you. It's about them. 

5) Don't gossip! Gossip is what led to the destruction of so many relationships I had with family members. If it isn't your story to tell, STOP talking. Have you ever seen those exercises in group trainings where one thing is said and as that message gets passed down to several people, the message ends up completely different?  It's a pretty powerful example of how a change in tone of voice, change in the order of words, change in context, forgetting one word or adding another, changes to entire message. I know, right?

6) Don't add to the negativity of the situation with more negativity- towards yourself or someone else. It's hard to be positive or turn a bad situation into something positive when you are hurting, but if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Common sense, right?

And a couple of very specific and embarrassing examples from my own personal repertoire of "don'ts".

7) Don't stay awake all night, driving around aimlessly so the "thinking" doesn't consume you. It helps nothing and then you end up exhausted, unable to work. and even less able to deal with anything in a rational manner.

8) Don't throw your cellphone against a wall when you hear or see something that triggers you. Seriously, what good does that do? It improves nothing and then you have to go get a new phone, which is, in itself, traumatizing.

Now, onto the "Do's".  There is only one. 

1) Surround yourself with people who support you, care about you, trust you and love you. Find your people! They don't have to be related. In fact, it might be better if they aren't, depending on your situation. I have a handful of people in my family who I can trust with my life, my reputation and my word. Everyone else who helped me recover were outside of my family. I had (have) co-workers who listened, mentors who offered their advice, recommendations and services and therapists who counseled. I don't know where I would be (or if I would be) if it weren't for these special people. I definitely had to step way out of my comfort zone to find them, though. So, be brave and FIND YOUR PEOPLE!

Missing the boy behind me, like crazy, every day. The two on either side of me are positioned perfectly, as they have been what has held me up for the last 8 years. 


Be Still. Be Strong Be Happy.
Be Good. Do Good.

Juli

8 Don'ts and 1 Do, 8.17.2024

I told you in the last post why and how I ended up here: art teacher turned yoga teacher and Reiki Practitioner.  Now for the "how" I made it here, feeling better and more confident than ever? Well, I made a lot of mistakes, that's for sure ( I'll get to those below). But, in the end, I had to learn how to turn the negative into a positive. I had to look at my situation from the outside in, rather than the inside out. I had to surrender to the fact that I could only control myself and to the fact that this trauma, crisis, grief, etc. was placed before me to make me better- to learn the lesson, move on, and help others do the same.

So, to recover from a traumatic event, work through a crisis, survive a loss, etc., here are my DONT'S: (feel free to add yours in the comments, as every situation is different. People experience things differently and we are all here to help each other. These suggestions come from my own experience.  

1) Don't react . (If you must, make it a thoughtful response, not an irrational reaction.)

2) Don't vent. (If you must, vent to yourself in the mirror, or just make sure you trust the person you vent to 150%!)

3) Don't think that just reading things you see online will be all you need to pull yourself out of despair (This is what I call a pit. A pit that you can't crawl out of and honestly, sometimes don't want to crawl out of). Reading remedies, motivational quotes, affirmations, etc., can't hurt, but if you are at the point of despair (in your pit) you need much more than that. Tell someone how you are feeling and get professional help. 

4) Don't let what other people say about you cause you to feel differently about yourself. You know who you are and if you know you are a good person, a good parent, a good friend, etc., that is all you should be thinking about. When someone who is angry and resentful about something in their own life directs that negative energy onto you, it's not about you. It's about them. 

5) Don't gossip! Gossip is what led to the destruction of so many relationships I had with family members. If it isn't your story to tell, STOP talking. Have you ever seen those exercises in group trainings where one thing is said and as that message gets passed down to several people, the message ends up completely different?  It's a pretty powerful example of how a change in tone of voice, change in the order of words, change in context, forgetting one word or adding another, changes to entire message. I know, right?

6) Don't add to the negativity of the situation with more negativity- towards yourself or someone else. It's hard to be positive or turn a bad situation into something positive when you are hurting, but if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Common sense, right?

And a couple of very specific and embarrassing examples from my own personal repertoire of "don'ts".

7) Don't stay awake all night, driving around aimlessly so the "thinking" doesn't consume you. It helps nothing and then you end up exhausted, unable to work. and even less able to deal with anything in a rational manner.

8) Don't throw your cellphone against a wall when you hear or see something that triggers you. Seriously, what good does that do? It improves nothing and then you have to go get a new phone, which is, in itself, traumatizing.

Now, onto the "Do's".  There is only one. 

1) Surround yourself with people who support you, care about you, trust you and love you. Find your people! They don't have to be related. In fact, it might be better if they aren't, depending on your situation. I have a handful of people in my family who I can trust with my life, my reputation and my word. Everyone else who helped me recover were outside of my family. I had (have) co-workers who listened, mentors who offered their advice, recommendations and services and therapists who counseled. I don't know where I would be (or if I would be) if it weren't for these special people. I definitely had to step way out of my comfort zone to find them, though. So, be brave and FIND YOUR PEOPLE!

Missing the boy behind me, like crazy, every day. The two on either side of me are positioned perfectly, as they have been what has held me up for the last 8 years. 


Be Still. Be Strong Be Happy.
Be Good. Do Good.

Juli

Moving to Substack, 8.17.24

 All information from this blog has now been transferred to Substack. Please go to https://jschusterstudios.substack.com/publish/posts to see more.

Marriage, Mothering, and Surrendering to What Is, 5.14.24

 (** This is being published 2 months after it was created because it took that long to work up the courage to put it out there.) 

41 years ago today, I got married. I was 17 and Gary was 22. We dated for 3 1/2 years and were married for 20 1/2. Our marriage ended in 2004. And even though it ended, 24 years and 3 amazing kids does not equate to failure, at least in my book. Do I wish it lasted longer? Yes, no doubt about it. I wish I would have tried harder. I wish I would have been stronger for my kids. But, in the end, a 17 year old girl wants and needs very different things than the 37 year old woman she would become. 

Ending my marriage was the hardest thing I ever did, until I had to watch my kids lose their dad to a stupid, ridiculous, freak, and very preventable accident. Suddenly, the guilt I had about our divorce was compounded by the fact that I thought his death was my fault.  My immediate thought after Gary died was, "If we had still been together still, this wouldn't have happened." I know now that it was irrational to think that way, but still, that thought, that belief, would hang over me for years. 

Since he died, I tried to make up for his absence by being there for my kids as a mom and, because I couldn't replace their dad, an "extra" mom. I became an overprotective, hovering mom. I know now that it wasn't healthy and what they really needed was counseling, but at the time, that thought never crossed my mind. I believed that being that "extra" mom was what they needed. All I knew was what was once our family of five (yes, even being divorced, we were still the "original five") was suddenly a family of four and it was up to me to fill the gap and keep it all together. Over time, this became my favorite quote:

 This worked well enough for two of our kids, but not so much for the other. Ultimately, trying to protect our family as a whole,  cost me (us) one more member. We were (are) now down to three. Now I have to be a mother to that child from a distance. Not really much physical distance, in miles, but a distance in mind and spirit that may as well be a million miles. If you have never had to grieve someone who is still alive, consider yourself lucky. There is really no explaining it. It's both a physical and emotional pain you can never recover from because there is no closure. They are just gone. They may come back. They may never come back. 

Even though I will never fully recover, with support and guidance from family and friends, I was able to transform my guilt and grief into growth and healing. I had to heal myself from things I really didn't know needed healing. It's been a long haul, but I made it my mission to get to the other side of it. I was eventually able to look at myself objectively, from outside of my ego, and take responsibility for my part, good or bad, in any one of my relationships.  I know now that I can only control what I think and do. I can't control what other people do, say, think, believe, want, etc.- even my own child. I have to be okay with what is, with the way things are now, even though they are not the way I imagined them.

Now, 8 years later, I feel stronger than I have ever felt.  I'm at a place where I feel confident helping others. I can see now how much I have to be thankful and grateful for. I've surrounded myself with loving, supportive people who show me and teach me every day how to be a better wife, mom, daughter, sister, teacher, friend, co-worker. I can now see that the 24 years that Gary and I had together, having and raising our kids, were the most meaningful and formative years of my life. Continuing his legacy, our legacy, of nurturing our kids and grand kids as much as possible, and just being a good human by helping others as much as possible, is exactly what I am supposed to be doing with my life. All of it- all of the good stuff and all of the hard stuff- led me to this place. And I can honestly say, it's an amazing place.

Being transparent and honest about our story, who we are, good and bad, is my way of paying forward the help that I received. It's the helping legacy I mentioned earlier. Telling our story is cathartic to me, but, hopefully, it also leads others to a place of healing. Hopefully,  it helps someone else out there realize that there is a beautiful life even through all of the messy, painful, hard times. 

Be Still. Be Strong. Be Happy. ~ Juli

P.S. If you can relate to any of this, and need an ear, I've become a pretty good listener.  Also, a book that helped me tremendously: Loving What Is, by Byron Katie. If you are not a reader, look her up on YouTube or try an audio version of the book. She helps you see things from a totally different perspective. 

Hearing other people sharing their stories and putting themselves out there in a vulnerable way helped me as well. Seek out those people. Then, tell YOUR story. Saying things out loud to someone who is listening deeply and not judging you, changes everything. 

8 limbs, 4.11.24

 

This post was going to be about burnout, and it still kind of is, but I realized that writing about working through burnout (at least for me) requires much more explanation than I originally thought. There is no way I could explain how I manage to work through any obstacle, crisis, struggle, etc. without also writing about the impact that the 8 limbs of yoga (#10 from this post) have had, and continue to have, on my life. The thing is, they help me through so much more than hard times. They help me through all kinds of days, moods, circumstances, etc. - good, bad, and ordinary.

Many people who have not gone through formal yoga training think of yoga as being just about the physical postures. But, once you begin digging into yoga philosophy (especially with fantastic teachers and mentors as I have had) you'll soon find that it is so much more than that. These tools have grounded me in a way that I never thought would be possible. Brief examples of each limb are given above, but I thought I'd share my own understanding and experiences with each one as I move through all of my days. 

Yamas- social ethics. I reflect on this "code" of social ethics in all of my relationships. It reminds me that nothing in this world is all about me. It reminds me to quiet my ego, over and over and over again. It reminds me to treat people the way I would want to be treated. It reminds me to speak in a way that does no harm, but also reminds me to speak my truth.

Niyamas- personal practices. The niyamas remind me to protect my inner and outer world, as it is all connected. They remind me to continually strive toward a minimalist lifestyle by not taking or accumulating more than I need. It reminds me to always try to do better and be better, but at the same time, to surrender to what is, knowing I am enough.

Asana- physical postures. Asana practice is my opportunity to move my body along with my breath. Asana reminds me to connect to myself through movement, meditation and breath. It reminds me to take time to focus only on myself and to, once again, surrender and meet myself where I am.

Pranayama- breath work. Breath work gives me an opportunity to calm my nervous system in times of anxiety or stress. It reminds me that everything I need is inside of me already and my breath will bring me back to that sense of self, if I just slow down enough to listen. As I listen to my breath, it reminds me that I am okay- right here, right now.

Prathyahara- turning inward. Turning inward reminds me of the powerful connection of mind, body and spirit. By tuning into this connection through the energy centers (the chakras) of my body, I come back to a place of stability, no matter what is happening outside of myself. 

Dharana- concentration. Dharana reminds me- Every. Single. Day. - to stop multi-tasking and enjoy the present moment- in the mundane and ordinary moments as well as the extraordinary moments. 

Dhyana-surrendering to what is. Dhyana reminds me to always come back to knowing that I am in everything and everything is in me. It reminds me to come back to knowing that everything that is happening is happening for my higher good and it's okay to let go and be okay with what "is". 

Samadhi- a state of complete bliss. Samadhi reminds me, again, that I am part of everything and everything is a part of me. I'm not sure I will ever reach this state, but I know I can continually strive for this through practice. 

It is all a practice.

Be Still. Be Strong. Be Happy. 

~Juli

https://srisrischoolofyoga.org/na/blog/8-limbs-of-yoga-ashtanga-yoga/

#5, Aging Simply, Simply Aging: 3-8-24

Number 5 on the list of tools I've learned to use, to help me stay organized and productive,  is simplifying my "beauty" and self-care routine. I hesitate to use the term "beauty" because that's really not what it's about. What I really mean is my "getting ready to face the world each day" routine but that seems a bit too long! Anyway, I believe presenting yourself to the world as the best version of yourself is SO important. It doesn't mean you are vain or shallow, it shows that you care. It affects the way you feel about yourself, which affects the way you show up to, and for, any relationship. I'm slowly making changes to make this part of my life much more simple and I'm learning to let go and surrender to the process of aging. Because, let's face it, being here and getting older, is a privilege.  

Here are a few changes I've made,

*using a limited number of products for self-care (Ayurveda Experience, Jordan Essentials, Lily and Fox)

*letting my hair grow out, along with all of the color and using only one line of products (Amika)

*using only one brand of cosmetics (Thrive)

It doesn't seem like much (I'm always considering ways to simplify even more) but paring everything down saves me a significant amount of time and money.  Most of the changes mentioned above have to do with products I’ve found over the years that I keep coming back to, so I don’t feel the need to keep searching for the “best” one.  No more buying on impulse only to find that there are no miracle products out there (even if they are expensive and endorsed by celebrities!). Going with the basics is totally enough. I’ve linked some of the brands I use below, in case you’d like to try them yourself. I would say the biggest impact on simplifying my self-care, though, has nothing to do with products. The biggest impact has been changing my hair. It is SO freeing to know that I don't have to get my hair cut and colored every 4 weeks. Again, it saves me time and money, my hair feels healthier, and most of all, it feels authentic. I am no longer trying to be something I'm not and not trying to be younger than I am. (No judgement, though, to any one who continues to color their hair!) The white hair is ME and knowing that it is a trait that comes from my Great Grandma Tabers seems really special. I'm glad to carry it on! 

Have a great weekend! 

Simply, Juli

**Links to brands I love: 

Ayurveda Experience Here 

Lily and Fox Here 

Jordan Essentials Here

Amika hair care Here (and, not a product, but I must include a link to my hair stylist Here She's the best!)

Thrive cosmetics Here 

2-13-24, Opportunity Knocking!

Have you missed Jordan Essential products being in the studio? Me, too!  But they are back! I recently used up my last bottle of Peppermint Magnesium lotion and I knew I needed to get more soon (since I started using this lotion daily, my leg and foot cramps completely disappeared- no joke!). Before I re-ordered, I did a little research comparing Bath and Body Works products and Jordan Essentials. The shea butter hand and body cream from Bath and Body Works and the shea butter hand and body cream from Jordan Essentials.

Here is the breakdown: 

Bath and Body : 1 oz. 8.95

Jordan Essentials: 2 oz. 15.00 (1 oz. 7.50)

Jordan Essentials is .50 less

Okay, so that isn't really that much less, but keep reading. That's just the cost. Let’s talk about the product ingredients. 

Here are the labels on the back of each:

Jordan Essentials products have none of the following:

Parabens

Talc

Aluminum

Gluten

Mineral Oil

Animal Testing

Plus, they are:

*scented with pure essential oils, not overpowering fragrance

*made in Missouri in artisan fresh batches

*shipped in eco-conscious packaging-cardboard boxes filled with either shredded paper or biodegradable peanuts (they actually melt completely in water).

These products are aligned with the lifestyle that I try to live and try to encourage others to live, which is why I re-joined as a consultant rather than just re-ordered from my consultant.

Let's go back to the above example. Consultants earn at least 25% back, which, in this case, would be 1.88, so total cost for the above product would end up being 2.38 less than the Bath and Body product, which is a bit more significant! This is a tiny amount to compare, I know, but when you have a bulk order, 25% adds up! And, yes, they will mail you a check (or direct deposit)! 

If you know me well, you know I am not the salesperson type (it makes me super uncomfortable). But this time, it seems silly and unfair not to share the opportunity that these products and this company have to offer. Google the company (so this post doesn't get even longer!) and you'll discover some pretty cool stories!

So... if you are looking for another stream of income, consider joining as a consultant. You can sell as little or as much as you want, as long as you hit the $200 mark each year and you are willing to have a Jordan Essentials website open for orders. I signed up mainly because I was buying the products already, so it was a way for me to get them at a reduced price. At this point, though, I’d like another stream of income as I head towards retirement and this just feels right to me. Let me know if you are interested. The photo below shows the kit you will receive when you join for just $24. It really is such a good deal! (They also have a $49 kit and a $99 kit that are also great deals, if you would like more products to try or sell).

Be Still. Be Strong. Be Happy! Juli

2.10.24, Four Words and Ten Steps

 

AADD.  Adult Attention Deficit Disorder. I’m not sure if the doctor listed it as an official diagnosis in my chart, but we had a long discussion about it and she gave me a prescription to manage it (and the medicine helps) so I’m taking that as a diagnosis. Below is a brief list of common symptoms. (I won’t be specific about which ones apply to me. If you know me, I am sure it’s obvious!) Can you relate to any of these? 

Some specialists have suggested the following as a list of symptoms associated with ADHD in adults:

• carelessness and lack of attention to detail

• continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones

• poor organizational skills

• inability to focus or prioritize

• continually losing or misplacing things

• forgetfulness

• restlessness and edginess

• difficulty keeping quiet, and speaking out of turn

• blurting out responses and often interrupting others

• mood swings, irritability and a quick temper

• inability to deal with stress

• extreme impatience

• taking risks in activities, often with little or no regard for personal safety or the safety of others – for example, driving dangerously

                  (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/symptoms/)

Knowing it has a name makes me feel so much better about my “air-headedness”(is that a word?). That "air-head" character trait followed me around for my entire life, along with the fear of appearing dumb (which is also, apparently, a thing), and the combination really tanked my self-esteem as a kid, a wife, a mother and pretty much any other role I’ve had in my life. What has cumulatively helped, along with the medication, are the tools I’ve gained over the years, which I’ll begin sharing with you here and will continue to do so, in greater detail, through the next few posts. They are (in no particular order):

1. Developing a morning routine,Habit stacking

2. Setting goals

3. Being still

4. Finding the perfect planner😃

5. Simplifying my "beauty" and wellness routine

6. Working towards a minimalist wardrobe

7. Working towards a minimalist lifestyle.

8. My extensive collection of self-help books

9. Changing and simplifying my diet.

10.  The 8-limb path of yoga and Ayurveda

My ADD symptoms have seemed a bit worse over the last few years, which is why I ended up in a discussion with my doctor. A few very stressful years took it's toll, but looking back, I can see that my brain was just on overload. The stress has eased, the symptoms have eased, but I still have to keep it in check. The one thing I know makes an immediate difference is forcing myself to spend time in stillness (#3 on the list) -actual, physical and mental stillness (meditation and Reiki, just being with myself and ignoring the thought track in my head), outside noise reduction (no tv on at home and no music in the car) and slow, repetitive, no-brainer activities like washing the dishes, folding laundry or hand-stitching, sewing, etc.  

Little pockets of time in little pockets of quiet spaces at home, help quiet my brain.

I’m looking forward to sharing this with you all, hoping some of what I’ve incorporated into my own life and what has really helped me, will also help you.

"When you inhabit your solitude fully and experience it's outer expresses of isolation and abandonment, you will find that at it's heart there is neither loneliness nor emptiness, but intimacy and shelter." ~John O'Donohue in Anam Cara

Be Still~ Juli