sown & uprooted

There was a period where I found myself engulfed in a whirlwind of commitments, constantly rushing from one task to another without a moment to catch my breath.

I’m certain you can relate to those overwhelming times when you lose sight of yourself, living more for others than for your well-being. It’s like watching a meticulously built House of Cards collapse before your eyes, leaving you feeling stranded, trying to piece together the fragments of your life.

In my case, the weight of motherhood, financial responsibilities, and the constant pressure to cater to everyone’s needs took its toll. Fortunately, I have a supportive family who allowed me the space to prioritize myself during this turbulent period. They understood my need to step back and focus solely on my needs, even if it meant temporarily stepping away from my usual roles and responsibilities.

During this self-care journey, I took small but significant steps towards rebuilding myself. It started with the basics like getting out of bed and taking care of my hygiene, gradually progressing to resuming work and reclaiming other aspects of my life. With each task I tackled, I questioned whether it truly resonated with the person I aspire to be, ensuring that every piece I picked up aligned with my authentic self.

What came as a surprise to me was when I noticed that some parts of me which I previously considered important and necessary, were no longer appealing.

For example: I no longer wanted to be the woman who spent her Saturday shopping for food, cleaning the house, and prepping food for school lunches, all squeezed into one single day by 4 pm, because of course I had to spend quality time with the kids and the partner too after all the chores were done and before bedtime — I was a lady on a schedule. And of course, this all had to be done on Saturday because…

And there it is. Because of what? Because of my expectations of myself, that caused me more stress and stressed everyone in the family. Because my „Saturday“ schedule had been on auto-pilot for so long that I didn’t question it anymore? And then getting frustrated at myself by Sunday evening that again another weekend had expired that was filled with meaningless tasks, that didn’t add any value?

Instead, I discovered the feeling of „letting things be“. There is a full dishwasher and I didn’t fancy having to empty it? Let it be, it’s not like it will go anywhere.

Feeling overwhelmed by having to run a washing machine every day, hanging up clothes, taking them down, placing them all back in the closets every single day? Well, I introduced washing machine-free days and I limit myself to 1 hour of cleaning per day. And what doesn’t get done… I let it be undone.

A nice weekend coming up? I actively look on Komoot to find inspiring walking trips for me and the kids nearby. I now had several weekends where we simply did leisure time stuff. I discovered weekends as being mini holidays. And how calming and relaxing are those?

Apart from tiny little chores, my weekends are declared as a no-chore zone.

This may sound simple and obvious to some, but for me, all those things were like little discoveries of freedom. Ultimately, this period of introspection allowed me to rediscover and redefine who I am, paving the way for a more balanced and fulfilling life moving forward.

So how did I do it? Rituals were a very important part of my recovery. One of my rituals was and still is, to have a daily date with myself at a local watering hole — my kettle. Every evening, I boil myself a beautiful tea containing ingredients that help me to settle and relax. I then take my tea, sit down and read a book — yes an actual book not a book on a tablet or e-reader. I limit myself to 20 minutes. Twenty minutes of diving into fiction, sipping my tea and simply enjoying the feeling of existence.

These are the teas I rely on, many of which my friend and fellow writer Lina has introduced to me.

• Purely Refreshed — A refreshing tea to detox mind, spirit and soul. It contains peppermint, elderflower and a sprinkle of lemon and honey
• Rejuvenate with nettle, a detoxing, nurturing, anti-aging tea treatment
• Another favourite: Better Me, which contains valerian, rose petals, camomile and nettle.

If you ever feel to are in a similar situation. Letting go, worked for me. Pressing my own reset button and starting from scratch, me being my own canvas, worked for me.

My life is not completely different, and I am still the same person. But I am more centred, more chilled, and more open for disruption because I simply now have the flexibility to adjust without stressing out.

Last but not least, dear reader, in case nobody tells you today:

I believe in you to put your own needs ahead of others, release the demands you think others put on you and to step back in order to take center stage of your life! I believe in your ability to find more vitality, resilience and fun in your life.

— with love —

Corina

sown & uprooted

https://for-a-better-living.com

Please note: As with all things in life, some things will have ripple effects and the amounts make the difference. So please don’t overdose on herbal teas either. Especially if you are on medication, suffer a medical condition, or are prone to allergic reactions and during pregnancy, it’s recommended to seek medical advice before starting any self-medication. If you ever feel like life is getting to much, don’t be afraid to seek professional help.