Happy Healthy & Zen

Is it time to slow down?

I asked myself this question during my morning walk yesterday.

I could feel my mind was actively thinking about the recap of the week.

With several in person meetings, networking events, perspectives for new collaborations, and ideas for new projects, there was a lot on my mind.

When I came home, my yoga mat was waiting for me.

Everything was ready for my practice.

I noticed the resistance.

It would have been much easier to continue to be in “doing mode” because my mind was already there.

However, I knew exactly what my body needed.

I cautiously tip-toed onto my yoga mat, lied down, and started to pay attention to my breath.

I was aware of that gentle transition of attention from the thoughts into the breath, from the breath into the body.

Twelve minutes later, I was feeling better, more rested, more awake, and more present.

This is what the morning’s practice was about:
- Recognizing when you are going too fast
- Paying attention to mental energy levels
- Noticing that extra daytime recovery was needed
- And knowing which practices to use to rebalance

Once your attention is back in the present moment, it is easier to pay attention to what is right in front of you.

I’m curious, which are your go-to practices for daytime recovery?

🌅 This is what happens when your objective is to “catch the sun rising “ on a Saturday morning =

🏃‍♀️ you put your running shoes on and suddenly you are running, chasing that moment when the sun appears 😂 !

🎉The sense of accomplishment settles in because you didn’t miss that specific moment of the day

🎶 The side benefit is that you logged in your Saturday morning run ✅ 🏃‍♀️🌳

Hope you are having a wonderful Saturday!

🌿How can I upgrade my morning routine?

🔎Back in December of 2018, I asked myself that question.

☀️ I made the decision then to be more intentional about my morning routine.

📚 I’ve kept that commitment over the past 1500 + days. Yes, over 4 years.

⛅️ My morning practice has evolved, there have been ups and downs, but I have stayed present, not taking any morning for granted.

📓 I’ve realized that the choice is always there: being distracted or being present. Perhaps for some of us, being present requires a more intentional infrastructure in our morning habits and routines, more effort and determination, but it is worth it.

This year, I renew my commitment to continue to savor the sunrises during 2023. There will be stunning ones, like today. There will be grey ones, and rainy ones, but I will be there paying attention, observing carefully, and taking notes. Because the energy I collect in the mornings, propels me forward the rest of the day.

Which part of your morning routine makes you feel present and calm?

🧘‍♀️If you are interested in continuing this conversation, you can join us Sunday for a sunrise mindful walk with . You can find the registration link in my bio.

Photo: Sunrise in Paris, January 20, 2023

Happy Healthy & Zen 2023!

Wishing you a year where you find joy in the most unexpected places.

During the holiday season, I was able to move from fear to joy while skiing.

I reached out for support and found a wonderful teacher that helped me improve my technique, gain confidence and get into the right mindset.

With patience and practice, I found joy!

I was reminded, that when starting a new journey (or a new year) is important to:

🏔 Choose your path

⛷ Instead of looking down, look forward

🧠 Instead of getting distracted with what others are doing, stay focused

🚦Instead of stopping and going, find your flow, your rhythm, your pace. 🎶

✅Find what helps you to let go of the struggle and find joy

🎉 It takes practice, patience and courage

If you are interested in finding focus to get clear on your intentions for 2023 with group support, while being surrounded by nature, join us for another mindful walk & workshop with on January 22 🌳 🧘‍♀️ 🌳🏃‍♀️ 🌳

Paris during this very cold morning …

Paris today…

Final week before the school holidays begin…

It is essential to actively create spaces to pause and breathe before doing the next thing on the to do list ..

The sun was out today, it felt good 😊

How do you rebalance your energy during this active time of the year?

Today in Paris…

This time of the year is busy… but there are plenty of opportunities to pause, to slow down, to go outdoors and catch those moments that bring you back to the present.
Pause
Breathe
Look around

Tomorrow in Postcards From Paris podcast you can catch the outdoor sounds that I collected today in this very cold but sunny Sunday! 😉🎶🌳

Paris this morning…

Even rainy mornings have those moments that invite us to slow down, pause, breathe & re-align 🧘‍♀️🌳🌧

How is your posture right now?

Paris this morning …

A brisk mindful walk before work:
- meeting like-minded people to start your day
- collecting positive emotions along the way,
- appreciating the opportunity to be outdoors despite the cold, the clouds and the grey sky !
🌳🎶🏃‍♀️😊

If you feel inspired to give it a try, join us this Sunday for an event in collaboration with !

Find the sign up link in my Bio.

30-day morning nature challenge completed! 🎉🎉
30-days
30-sunrises
30-audio postcards
30-morning walks
30-days for morning reflections
30-new beginnings

I am grateful for the encouragement and for all the conversations that started through this challenge.

I’m off to the next adventure and will be offline for several days.

Wishing you a great rest of the summer!

📷 Day 29. Morning nature challenge .

🎙Today’s postcard from Paris Podcast: Inner conversations.