Pause …

Hi!

Well here we are, already nearing the end of July, just over half way through the year.

How is your Summer so far?

One way or another mine has been very action packed. I am very grateful that there are so many things to explore at this time of year. However I really have begun to feel that I am on very fast rollerblades, gliding from one week to the next in very quick succession. So time to listen to my soul.

This morning I woke up and there was a new feeling in the air. The windows were all open, as they have been over the heatwave season. What had changed was, it had rained and suddenly everything felt very still. Although Saturday morning was waiting to begin, instead of leaping up to make a drink and start the day, I just sat there and took a pause. I could feel in my bones that today, after a bustling few weeks was going to be a calm, slow kind of day.

When I did go downstairs to open the doors in the kitchen, it wasn’t a warm fuzzy heat that hit me, it was that cool, post rain feeling, which carries with it an interesting peacefulness. The garden must have rejoiced, as it was finally nourished with some water and with it there was the beautiful smell of petrichor.

And so the calm start to the day began, nothing planned until later on. No timetable. What a difference.

So, how can we all give ourselves permission to hit our own personal “Pause” buttons?

Pausing is very big act of self care. When we rush around, everything becomes fast, our choices, our heartbeats, our spending.

Here are a few of my peaceful pause providers:-

1. Slow starts - weekend wake ups and going with the slow.

2. Meditate - Find an on-line meditation or just sit peacefully with some calming music.

3. Read - Curl up with a good book.

4. Fresh air - Go outside and breathe in some fresh air.

5. Walking - A walk in nature is calming for the mind, body and soul.

6. Creativity - Whatever your heart and soul enjoys making/drawing/writing, make time for them.

7. Listen to a podcast - Something that just allows you to be peaceful.

8. Find a bench/garden - A great way to enjoy a pause and a chance to look up at the sky.

As my photos more than prove, Mother Nature really does provide a natural Pause. I hope you manage to create some time for you!

It is also the Big Butterfly Count, www.butterfly-conservation.org which is also nature’s beautiful built in way to go gently.

Thank you for reading.

Enjoy the rest of the Summer season.

Jules xx