Category: Holistic lifestyle

Holistic lifestyle, Lifestyle, Meditation, self-love

Autumn: Slow Down, Take a Breath & Find a Little Pleasure 🍂

Anne

There is something about this time of year that makes me want to slow down.

The mornings are darker. The evenings are drawing in. The leaves are beginning to turn and there is a definite cooling in the air.

We’ve moved beyond the Autumn Equinox and, in the Wheel of the Year, we’re moving towards Samhain — a time traditionally associated with letting go, reflection and turning inward.

And perhaps nature is giving us a little nudge to do the same.

To slow down.
To take a breath.
To enjoy the simple things.

But if you’re anything like me, actually stopping can be surprisingly difficult.

Even sitting down to drink a cup of coffee can somehow become something I do while answering an email, scrolling through my phone, writing a blog post (😉), thinking about what needs doing next… or discovering that my coffee has gone cold beside me. 🙈

So I’ve found a rather lovely little trick…

My pumpkin mug ritual 🎃

A couple of years ago, I bought myself a pumpkin mug from a rather swanky shop in Cambridge.

It was, let’s say, an ‘investment piece’ 😍

It cost considerably more than I would normally spend on a mug!

But every October, I get ridiculously excited about taking it out of the cupboard.

It has its own little season.

It comes out at the beginning of October and gets packed away around the middle of November, when the Christmas mugs make their appearance.

And it only gets used for one particular ritual:

my mid-morning coffee or a pumpkin spice hot chocolate.

That’s it.

And honestly? It makes me smile.

There is something about reaching for that mug that tells my brain:

Ahhh… this is my little moment.

And because it is something I genuinely enjoy, I’m much more inclined to pause and actually savour it. It helps that it’s an awkward shape to drink out of and so needs to be done carefully to avoid wearing it.

I might take a few deep breaths.

Notice the warmth of the mug in my hands.

Smell the coffee or chocolate.

Take that first sip slowly.

And for a few minutes, I don’t need to achieve anything.

I can simply enjoy it.

Make pleasure part of the ritual

If you find stopping difficult, perhaps you could try something similar.

It doesn’t have to be a swanky mug.

In fact, it doesn’t have to cost anything at all.

The idea is to find something small and pleasurable that you can attach to something you already do.

It’s a little like habit stacking — the idea from James Clear in Atomic Habits, where you link a new habit to something that is already part of your routine.

So rather than telling yourself:

“I really should meditate for 20 minutes every morning.”

or

“I need to make more time for myself.”

you could start much smaller.

Attach a tiny moment of pleasure to something you already do.

Perhaps you could:

🍂 Light a favourite candle while you have your morning coffee.

🍂 Use a beautiful glass for your water.

🍂 Put on a particular playlist while you get ready for the day.

🍂 Use your favourite hand cream after washing or clearing the dishes.

🍂 Have a special tea that you only drink when you sit down and properly enjoy it.

🍂 Put on your comfiest socks when you get home.

🍂 Take your afternoon drink outside and spend five minutes noticing the world around you.

🍂 Have a particular essential oil blend that becomes your signal to pause and breathe.

The important thing is that you really like it!

Not something you think you should enjoy.

But something that makes you smile.

Something that feels a little bit delicious.

Something that lights you up.

Tiny hits of pleasure

I think we sometimes make self-care far more complicated than it needs to be.

We imagine that looking after ourselves means booking a spa day, going away for the weekend, spending an hour meditating or finding a whole afternoon when we can do absolutely nothing.

And those things are wonderful.

But when life is busy, they can also feel completely unrealistic.

What if instead, we looked for tiny hits of pleasure throughout our day?

Little moments that help us shift gears.

A beautiful scent.

A favourite song.

The warmth of a drink.

Five minutes with a book.

The feel of soft clothes against your skin.

A walk in the autumn sunshine.

A piece of really good chocolate.

A bath instead of a quick shower.

The mug that makes you ridiculously happy.

None of these things are particularly life-changing.

And that’s rather the point.

They don’t need to be.

They are tiny reminders that your life isn’t simply a list of things to do, people to look after and responsibilities to fulfil.

There is also room for pleasure.

For enjoyment.

For beauty.

For things that make your heart sing.

So, what is your autumn ritual?

This October, I wonder if you could choose one small thing that is just for you.

It might be a new seasonal mug.

It might be something you already own but rarely use.

Or perhaps it’s something completely different.

Choose something that makes you feel good — and then make it your reminder to pause.

When you use it, take a breath.

Put down your phone.

Let go of the mental to-do list for a moment.

And actually experience the pleasure of what you’re doing.

Because sometimes, taking care of yourself doesn’t have to begin with making more time.

Sometimes it can begin with allowing yourself to enjoy the time you already have.

So here’s your little autumn invitation:

Find something that gives you pure pleasure.
Make it part of your day.
And when you use it, slow down and take a breath.

You deserve those little moments of pleasure too. 🍂🤎

Holistic lifestyle, Lifestyle, NYRO

Why did I join Neal’s Yard Remedies to become an Independent Consultant?

Anne

There are a few reasons why I joined Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic (NYRO) but the main one was to get the discount on a brand I loved!

It was as simple as that.  In fact many consultants do just that, they join to purchase the products they already know and love with a great discount.  Some then go on to sell to a few friends and family.  There are lots though who see the potential to run their own business with flexibility around their families.

For me, the natural products seemed to sit nicely alongside the holistic nature of my business, healing from the inside as well as the outside is part of the NYR ethos – take the logo for example – the tree takes in from the roots as well as from the leaves.  What we put in our body impacts our health and well being as much as the creams we put on the skin.

Once I’d signed up and received my starter kit I couldn’t stop sharing the products with people because they all smell so beautiful.  I started attending some of the free training (there is soooo much more on the consultant’s website now) to understand better how the products work and what to recommend to whom.  Although it actually didn’t seem to matter that I didn’t know too much in the beginning, I enjoyed reading the bottles and the website and sharing that with the people I spoke to.


My reason for joining is mostly product based but NYR offer a generous and ethical incentive scheme for those wishing to build a larger business and introduce many others to share in the success.  I have a small team who all asked me if they could join up because they love the product or it would enhance their existing business like mine.

If this is something you have considered then now is a great time as there are two amazing offers to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.

You can find information here, you can ask me any questions you have and my upline mentor does regular ‘Come and take a look’ events online.

Aromatherapy, Holistic lifestyle, Lifestyle, Pamper, Reflexology

Valentine’s Day special offer

Anne

We all love to treat that someone special and Valentine’s Day is a perfect excuse (not that we need an excuse). A treat should be something they wouldn’t do for themselves, something special and a little different.

Reflexology fits that bill perfectly. Taking time out for themselves probably isn’t something your other half often does for themselves, but we all know how important self care and time out really is.

So why not show your loved one just how important their wellbeing is to you by treating them to reflexology. This holistic treatment allows them to relax and unwind which will help to bring balance to their body and mind too. You can find out more about reflexology here.

And to make it extra special I have the perfect experience for you:

Order a gift voucher for a reflexology session and I will send the voucher along with a limited edition aromatherapy spray. Made with the highest quality ingredients, this spray contains a blend of essential oils which will create a sense of peaceful calm and relaxation, with sensuous undertones. Use as a room or pillow spray then light candles, sprinkle rose petals and put on your favourite tunes for that perfect romantic evening.

You can purchase the Valentine’s Day offer for £50. (The offer includes gift voucher for one hour reflexology treatment and the limited edition pillow spray).

Order the Valentine’s Day gift voucher and spray by filling in the form below.

Icy winter foliage
Holistic lifestyle, Journeys, Wheel of the Year

Welcome to 2021!

Anne

Welcome to 2021!

I don’t know about you but my inbox and social media field have been filled with people saying good riddance to 2020.  Initially I was in agreement, but it got me thinking.  I often try to discourage myself and others from wishing time away or wishing things hadn’t happened and it’s not just because it’s a pointless exercise but actually it’s because we learn from everything that happens in our life – especially the difficult times.

So, I ask you to look back and find the positives from last year rather than focusing on the hardships.  For me it was a year of spending time outdoors – in the garden and long walks.  A year of strengthening relationships and friendships.  I studied, I baked, I picked up an old craft project, I spoke to my family a lot more and I found new ways to work.  I’m immensely grateful to all of you who supported me and my business and who, in turn, I was able to support through the last year too.

We obviously can’t ignore the challenges, that would just be naïve, but we can look at them in terms of what we have or can possibly learn from them.  Whether this is in terms of work, health, grief, relationships, finances or any other challenge that presented itself to you in the last year.

Reflect

January, mid-winter, the new year it’s always a time of reflection – so think about what you have learned from last year or even the last national lockdown and see what you can do better or just differently this time round.  Finish the course you started last time, or the craft project.  Plan your garden for this year.  Increase or start your meditation or other spiritual practice as well as some exercise.  Schedule time to talk or video-call with friends into your diary.

And most importantly keep hold of the light.  Whether that’s the light at the end of the tunnel, the light of the new Age of Aquarius or the light of your own faith, bring it inside you each day and let it grow and brighten your whole being.  Because the brighter you let it shine the easier you, as an individual, will get through the next few months.

2021 at Medulla Holistic Therapies

Unfortunately, the national lockdown means that I am not able to do hands on treatments for the foreseeable future but I can do Distance Reiki and our meditation circle is going from strength to strength.  Look out for my new plans and ideas over the next few weeks, starting with bespoke aromatherapy which will be wonderful for helping to boost mental health as well as skin, muscle and digestive issues.

I’d love to hear what you’re all up to too, so please drop me an email, message me through Facebook or Instagram (@medullaspace) or comment on my posts.  I’m missing our conversations so contact from you is more important than ever to me at the moment.

As ever – keep safe and keep strong.

In love and light

Anne x

COVID-19, Holistic lifestyle, Journeys

Well-being in Lockdown

Anne

Well-being in Lockdown

When we first experienced a national lockdown in March last year it was the first time most of us had ever known anything like it.  The majority of us thankfully weren’t directly affected by the virus itself and the weather turned beautiful just at the right time.  We were at home and for many there was almost a sense of (dare I say it?) excitement – like a holiday, we couldn’t work and we had to stop running around to a full schedule seven days a week.  For most, it was almost pleasant.  This was before it began to wear thin……on so many levels.

This time round we know what to expect and know full-well the things we found difficult last time.  And they all seem amplified in these cold, dark months.  Our situation may have changed, making things more (or maybe less) difficult and of course, by now we may have been ill or lost someone ourselves to the virus – making this all the more real.

In my newsletter, I talked about reflecting on the positives and the lessons from last year, so I don’t want to dwell on how bad it could be for us – we all know that already.  What I want to focus on is helping you to make this lockdown more bearable.

Why not try and see the last national lockdown as a practice run and do this one differently

To do list on 2021 year with computer on white background

  • Many people have said to me “I wish I’d done…..while I had the time”. So if you are stuck at home now, with time on your hands, make a plan.
  • Decide what you want to achieve and write it down – just a list or post-its will do, but if you’re a proper planner then put a timetable together.
  • Make sure you get in some rest time
  • And some exercise
  • And maybe some spiritual practice (reading, meditation, time with your crystals)
  • Cook and eat delicious and nutritious foods
  • And try not to be glued to the news, or social media for that matter

We can do this differently this time if we choose to and yes, that means a positive mindset.  But, and here’s the most important message……………..please don’t expect to be optimistic all the time.  We are human and at the mercy of hormones and outside influences and the moon and emotions.  So please cut yourself some slack when your mood isn’t good and use that time to rest.

When you are in a great frame of mind, make the most of it.  Power through your plan, do practical things, necessary things and enjoyable things.  Really make that positive energy work for you.

But when you’re not in that place, be kind to yourself.  Wrap up cozy, drink warm drinks and do what you feel like doing.  Don’t beat yourself up for not doing the housework, clearing out that cupboard or going for a run – you can do that another day.  But also try not to spend the whole day on the sofa in front of the telly either.  Try reading or a jigsaw, a craft project or even cloud watching from the warmth of your bed.

If you know you are prone to feeling low from time to time then there are things you can do to change your mood.

A little preparation when you’re feeling good can stand you in good stead for when you’re not.

  • Try to eat healthily most of the time, as this can reduce the frequency and depth of the low moods.
  • Take a few calming deep breaths.
  • Get outside and breath some fresh air or at least look out of the window and get some natural light into your body.
  • Have some crystals or aromatherapy oils to hand that can uplift you when you need them. Amethyst, orange calcite and rose quartz or neroli, petitgrain or sweet orange essential oils should do the trick.
  • If something you are doing is dragging your mood down then stop, do something else and come back to it later
  • Learn to recognise when your mood is changing and try one of the above.

And remember that everything changes, no situation ever stays the same for too long.  You can reach out for help, there is plenty around but also you can dig deep and you will be amazed at your own inner strength.

There are many holistic therapies that can help at times like these including Distance Reiki and aromatherapy.  You can find out more details here or you can contact me directly and I’ll be happy to chat with you.

Do know that the energies of the Universe have shifted since the Winter Solstice and so we are in a very different place.  The light of the new Age of Aquarius is here, if we are willing to open up and see it.  But we have to do this ourselves, we have to take charge for our own growth, progress, lives.  Yes, there is help out there for physical, mental and spiritual well-being but we also have a responsibility to look after our own welfare.