A Home Practice is More Important Than Ever

We are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, our schedules have dramatically changed, and we are all working to navigate this new “normal”. It is more important than ever before to establish a home yoga practice. A home yoga practice can be a difficult thing to establish and commit to for several reasons. We often seem to get distracted during our home practice, and can find our eyes wandering during warrior 1, eyeing that pile of laundry that needs to be done. Oftentimes during our home practice our children or pets need us, the phone rings, or you suddenly feel as though you have done enough…after only 15 minutes. A home yoga practice is not easy, and took me years to fully establish - and is still something I struggle with some days. I am one of those people who would always get distracted during my home practice or prioritize everything else in my else except my practice… has anyone else done this??

My home yoga practice changed when I set a schedule and a space for yoga in my daily routine. I practice in the same space everyday, and close the door. I turn my phone on “do not disturb”, and do not think about the emails piling up in my inbox until my practice is over. I always come out of savasana feeling amazing, and it is typically the best thing I have done for myself that day. As women it is difficult for us to prioritize ourselves, we tend to put everyone else needs before ours. It’s not healthy, and one of my favorite quotes says it best “self care is not selfish”. One way in which I feel I have overcome this feeling, and am able to gift myself this time is getting up before the rest of my house is awake and sneak into my “yoga space aka my office” and practice. If I have an early meeting… or let’s be honest if I want to sleep in on a Sunday… then I make sure to schedule some time in for myself later in the day to practice.

My home practice helps me to breathe, to let go of whatever stress has popped up that day (and as a small business owner let me tell you there is always something), and to simply tune into my breath and just be. It allows me to step back from the craziness of life and be present, even if it’s only for 60 minutes, I am able to be fully present and connect with whats really important. My yoga practice keeps me grounded, and allows me to be productive in my work day and allows me to give more fully to my family because I have already nourished myself and my soul.

The COVID-19 has most of us quarantined at home all day, many of us with children, partners, and pets. There is plenty of room for anxiety and stress to creep in. Instead of inviting these negative thoughts to take up space, I encourage you to push them out with yoga and breath. It’s not going to be easy, in fact right now may be the toughest time to start a home practice, but I promise you it will be worth it.

How To Successfully Work From Home

Many of us are unexpectedly working from home these days due to COVID-19. As someone who has been working from home for years now I thought I’d take this time to offer some tips to making the most of your new home office. 

Create a routine. This is probably the biggest tip I can offer. Set up some sort of schedule around your work from home routine. Give yourself designated start and end times for your work day, allowing for breaks in between. 

Even on days I work exclusively from home I maintain the same morning routine. This allows for consistency, and my specific morning routine allows for me to be fueled, hydrated, grateful and super clear heading into my day. 

Get dressed. This may seem like a no brainer, but it’s a biggie. Get up, shower, and get ready for the day. This may look different for everyone, but put some effort in. When we work from home it’s easy to stay in sweats all day, forget our shower, and stop taking care of our physical bodies. I have tried both variations (blog research lol) and I know personally I am way more productive, alert, and creative when I put the effort in. I’m not saying you need to put a suit on to work in your living room, but change out of the sweats, put some mascara on, and put in effort in for YOU. You’ll thank me. 

Set up a designated work space. This can be a tough one depending on your home life and the size of your space. I work from home everyday and have the luxury of having a true home office, a space away from the bedrooms and living area where I can work and create. You don’t need a separate room to create a successful home office. All you need is a designated area for you and any office supplies you need. Limit distractions (this can be tough if you have kids at home) and limit household chores during this time, this is your work time. If you have a partner also working from home right now, try to set up two different unique office spaces to maintain focus and productivity. 

Comment below and let me know how you are creating your own home office during this time!

COVID-19 Pandemic

We are currently living in crazy times. Many of us are quarantined to our homes, unable to see family, friends, or even go to work. The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything I have personally witnessed in my lifetime, and to me most closely resembles the preparation before a big hurricane hits. The stores are empty, people are frantically running around town to gather supplies as they hunker down, and the anxiety is palpable.

My hope is that we can use this extra time at home to detox our homes, our lives, and our minds. To let go of unnecessary clutter, and really just let go of anything that has been holding us back from living the life we know we are meant to live. My hope is that we will use this time to hold our kids, our dogs, and our spouses (anyone who you are quarantined with) a little bit closer. To appreciate what we have, our health will always be our greatest wealth.

Things will be drastically different for many us for the next few weeks and possibly months, and instead of asking “why is this happening to me,” consider that this is actually happening for you. What have you been putting off that you now have time to complete? What changes have you been pondering but too fearful to take the leap? Now is the time to create, dream and plan.

Instead of dreading the isolation, use this time to turn inward and do the hard work on ourselves. Use this time to be grateful for everything you have, instead of focusing on what you are lacking. {glass half full mentality} If you are unemployed or short on work use this time to take an online class, pick up a new hobby or musical instrument, read book, or listen to your favorite podcast. There are so many incredible ways in which we can use this time to grow. Instead of dreading being stuck at home for weeks, flip the script as my husband says and find the silver lining. I am looking at this time as a blessing to complete several projects I have been working on, and to finally make the big push and changes business wise that I have been considering.

Technology is an amazing tool, and now is the time to take advantage of all it’s offerings. Don’t allow the quarantine to keep your from your friends and family, organize daily/weekly meet ups online. Host a game night, a happy hour, or simply take on online class together with your friend (virtually). Turning in and doing the work is important, but so is connection. Find a way to connect with your loved ones and your support team during this crisis. You are never alone.

My hope is that we all will come out of this a little bit kinder, more understanding, with a new resolve to appreciate each day and our daily freedom…. And we will all wash our hands!!

{ps… if you weren’t washing your hands before … why?!?}

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