In A Moment #81

The other day I was at the butcher picking up a few things for the week. I’ve been getting to know the folks who work there during my near-weekly visits. It’s not uncommon for me to get into a conversation during the check-out process. A practice I learned at a young age, watching my mom engage with the grocery store clerk or the pharmacist. My mom always makes a point to connect with the person in front of her, noticing something that might be important or special to them and bringing it to the surface. And it’s a habit I’ve picked up as well.

As I was chatting with my butcher, she noted the anxiety and overwhelm she had been experiencing of late. A combination of all that’s going on around, the seemingly endless assault of terrible events, and the more individualized stress with the holiday season. As she opened up, I could see the anxiety buzzing as she moved her hands and spoke at a bit more rapid pace. And so I shared with her one of my go-to’s for getting grounded in a moment. It’s a practice I’ve shared before and I’m certain to share many times again. It’s the senses countdown.

This is a practice in which you pause, step out of the swirl of thoughts and step into the present by paying attention to what you sense. The things you see, you feel, you hear, you taste and smell. I find the process of moving through the senses slowly usually offers a profound shift. Everything slows a little. I can breathe a bit more deeply. The things that were once so heavy or overwhelming, loosen their grip.

And so I share this practice with you as well. It does not require any special equipment and can be done truly at any moment you are looking for a shift. I hope you try it and if you do, I’d love to hear what you think.

✌🏻&💗