Feel pressure to do more but just don’t want to?
If you feel like you should be more productive, more motivated, more excited or more engaged, and just don’t want to, you're not alone. Everyone I’ve spoken to lately shares the same sentiment.
In addition to your own thoughts (or shame) about doing more, you are likely being bombarded with offers from people who are promising that their training or course will help.
They promise fulfillment, success, love, happiness, or joy and abundance. Whatever you are seeking. It will just take a commitment of so many hours, so many days, and so many dollars.
Every self development course and book is beneficial and paves the way to deeper self-discovery. This is absolutely true. I have read hundreds of books and taken dozens of workshops.
But without question, the greatest journey that I have taken is a simple, free practice that gives me more time and vitality than anything else I’ve done.
And it doesn’t cost a cent.
It is to simply sit still and quietly for 15 minutes or more each morning and each afternoon. A pause. A break. A time with no expectations and no desired outcome.
This practice will help you to know yourself deeper, to come into alignment with yourself so that you can be in alignment with others. You become familiar with what it really feels like to dwell in your own body and mind.
Here’s the simple practice that has been pivotal in helping me grow into myself:
Let people know that you will be unavailable for whatever time you allot. I recommend adding about 4 minutes so you can enjoy the buzz that is present while you come back to your fully awakened state. Believe me, after 3 or 4 times you will want to savor the deliciousness.
Get in a comfortable position in a chair, sitting on the floor or even resting on your bed propped up with pillows. It’s best not to lay flat because you may drift to sleep, even though some days, that may be what’s needed.
Set a timer for whatever feels okay. I suggest starting with 5 minutes and building up to what feels good. I usually hover between 12 and 30 depending on the day. Some is good and more is better. That’s my guidance.
Begin by breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth.
It may be helpful to find a phrase to repeat in your mind a few times. I usually choose, “Be here now in this.” Each word aligned with an in-breath or out-breath.
As your breathing feels rhythmic, intentionally relax your muscles. Even your brain.
Remember your brain is actually a gelatinous substance. Allow it to just feel loose and free. Let go into silence. This is where your center is. Just be in silence.
Warning! Your mind will wander. Thoughts will come. It's okay to let your mind wander.
Allow the thoughts to pass by like bags around the airport baggage carousel. If they are important, they will come back around later.
Use your breathing to return to center. Getting comfortable with returning to center will serve you in all aspects of your life. Don’t worry about right or wrong. This is a place where there is no right or wrong.
When you hear your timer signal, begin to move your toes and fingers. Listen to the sounds around you. Slowly and gently open your eyes, and take a few more deep breaths.
Notice any feelings of lightness in your body and calmness in your mind. Proceed with your day knowing that you can return to this feeling with just a few breaths.
We are in challenging times and most of us, from what I’ve heard, aren’t wanting to do more, even though we feel like we should.
Let that go for now. Give yourself these few moments of peace within the chaos and uncertainty. You will not only come to know yourself better but you will access true joy and abundance.
Joy and abundance does not come through striving. Joy and abundance is the ability to feel all the feelings and then come back to center.