Finding Peace: 9 Lessons from an Instagram Pause
Hello sweet friends! In early March, I realized that as a new Mom, I needed to pull back from the noise to focus on my family. While I love social media and its inspiration and connection, I realized I was not in a place to use and consume Instagram. This break has proven to be very needed! I can tell because I can hear my thoughts, I can get tasks done without being sidetracked, and I am less apt to compare myself to others. It’s been a lovely break - especially in this very busy astrological year and personal year of change. Here are some lessons I am learning or re-learning in real-time:
It is not about Instagram, it is about how I relate to it
So often we find ourselves blaming a person or an external situation for how we feel. Most of the time, we can view that person or thing from a more neutral perspective, as long as we are feeling centered ourselves. When I started to blame Instagram for my negative feelings, I knew it was time for a break so that I could come back feeling more centered and more able to regulate my emotions when using the app.
Simplifying is hard work
A goal I had during this break is to simplify, mainly in the physical realm. When I have fewer items I simply feel better! And I feel there is less to “take care” of, which means I open more space for other things. I am always humbled and reminded that being simple or simplifying in no way means easy. It takes energy and effort to slow down and decide what things no longer serve me and to reorganize with care.
There is beauty in placing care in the small tasks
The little things DO matter. OK - sometimes I find it simply impossible to do every task with care and love - I have to be realistic - but it can be so powerful to do so when you have the space, time, and energy. A small example is taking one ordinary task that you do every day and just being more aware and mindful that you are doing it - like wiping down the counters! I believe that care - and caring energy- is felt. I like to bake weekly treats on Sundays. I try my best to do so with care. I feel like throughout the week when I eat the treat I get an infusion of that caring energy and it fills me up!
It is important to leave space for the universe to work its magic
One beautiful thing about slowing down and pulling inward is that it leaves open space for the universe to bring things to YOU! I am always amazed yet never surprised when I have a day where I am a little bit more relaxed and less focused on being productive or trying to work so hard to make something happen and then bam - I run into someone where there is an important connection or an opportunity lands right at my feet.
The body is a tool for healing
Oh man, often when I am in a period of introspection one of the only things that seems to genuinely bring me back to center is mindful movement. I feel most connected with myself when I am less in my mental space and connecting to the body helps bring me out of that. I also believe we store so much in our bodies. Recently I have been working on discerning what type of movement my body needs to help balance my energy. Sometimes, slow movement or even just rolling out and working through knots can be exactly what I need - and challenging. Other times, I need to clear out an emotion through a faster workout or strength. Knowing what I need versus ‘working out just to workout’ is so helpful. Working out also increases endorphins and can simply make me feel better. Sometimes when I am facing something negative or challenging I like to workout to help myself “rise above” the negativity and re-approach the situation with clarity and strength. I have also been navigating a lot of limiting beliefs and a new movement mindset being postpartum - more to come on that! :)
We have a choice to open our hearts
We always have a choice - and that is so powerful! I think that what I have been recently working through or a lesson I have been integrating is that opening your heart and having compassion doesn’t always mean you need to bury your feelings. Expressing your feelings can be a way you open your heart, but in a way where you don’t intend to cause harm or speak with anger. Sometimes when you do so, it will just cause more frustration!
Momentum is real
This is so true. Even just the way I am approaching simplifying and doing some small reorganization, the days that I do a few projects in a row, I feel unbelievably productive. When I skip a day or two, it can be harder to get myself back on track and in that motivated energy.
We don’t always need to rely on our strength
I am still sort of figuring this one out, TBH! At a high level, this means having faith and that not everything needs to be controlled or figured out. But day to day this is still hard for me. My spiritual practice - meditation, prayer, mindful walks - these things help me to surrender and soften when I feel challenged.
Life is a garden - discern when it is your winter and when is it your summer
I love reflecting on life as a garden. Especially as a woman, I feel like we have so many seasons and cycles that deserve to be honored. There are monthly cycles, yearly cycles, and even just a cycle in a day. An example of a summer part of my day is between the hours of 10 am-12 when I am most productive. Winter for me starts around 8 pm. As a postpartum mama, I am in the winter season. Maybe slowly approaching Spring! Once I permitted myself to be in Winter, the more I could reclaim rest as actually productive and needed. One thing I am on the watch for though is when I need to embrace a Summer (more outgoing, outward, expressive) season and I have the urge to curl back in. What season are you in? What season is coming next for you?
Which lesson(s) resonates with you the most?
XO,
Caroline
