Out of Routine?

I went away with a few friends this weekend to Pittsburgh, and I had literally zero time to myself. I have grown accustomed to recharging solo, as COVID has granted us all more free time.  I was completely out of my element and out of my routine, and everything I learned was truly put to the test. Here is how I integrated what I learned and the tricks I used to have a great weekend in what could have otherwise been a stressful time. 

Set an Intention

I set an intention for the weekend that whatever happened was supposed to happen. I got interrupted during every meditation I attempted. I ate unhealthy food all weekend and didn't workout. I skipped my online courses and breathwork class in lieu of bottomless brunch. I even had to share a bed with one of my friends, so even my nighttime ritual was scrapped! 

By having my intention in place before the weekend started, I was able to maintain my state of alignment even when I didn't have a single moment of the entire weekend to myself. I used the interruptions as reset points in my meditation. I took the weekend off eating healthy as a reminder for how much I do value eating clean. I caught up on everything else when I got home Sunday night. Balance.

Include the People Around You

I got really embarrassed when my friend walked in on me meditating. It actually happened three times. I felt like a huge weirdo, but I set a firm boundary in the moment and let her know I would be done soon. Later that night, one of my other friends asked if I would meditate with her the next morning. I facilitated the meditation for us, and it was the most peaceful 20 minutes I had all weekend. Had I lied about what I was doing, we never would have been able to share that experience. It is always best to be yourself. 

Sure, some people find it incredibly weird. But some people not only understand the concepts and new belief systems I have developed, but they also want to learn more about the things I have become interested in. By hiding this part of myself, I am depriving other people of the opportunity to learn and experience this same knowledge for themselves. 

I Realized Integration > Textbook

We don't meditate to become good meditators. I do the things I do because they help me to feel good in my everyday life. Resenting other people because I'm out of my routine is silly, because change is the biggest invitation for growth. I stopped taking this weekend so seriously and realized it was perfectly fine to relax, spend time with my friends and celebrate a major milestone in one of their lives. 

xoxo,