This past week I felt really run-down after a very busy month. So in order to cope, naturally I stuffed myself to the brim with treats while watching Netflix and lamenting over how tired I was. After a sufficient amount of time doing these things, I realized that none of this would make me feel any better. I began to think instead, “What do I need more of? What do I need less of?” I realized that I needed more tea, sunshine, and healing foods. I needed to sleep. I needed to take some things off the calendar. I needed less sugar and less Netflix.
Over the past few days I have continued this check-in with myself. What do I need more of? What do I need less of? It’s so simple, but can be used constantly. My answers can also change throughout the day. I need more dark chocolate and less drama. I need more chicken noodle soup and less anxiety. I need more laughter and less unsolicited advice. I need more wine and less negativity. It really doesn’t matter what the specific needs are. What matters is that you are in touch with what it is that you need more and less of in any given situation.
For extra credit, you can add in a simple breathing exercise. On an inhale, focus on welcoming in what you want more of. On an exhale, breathe out what you want less of. While you may not get what you want or feel that you need in any given moment, this is a simple and easy tool to ground yourself and identify what it is that you need to get out of a funk, feel more energized, or just keep going on a particularly rough day.
I encourage you to get curious and give this a try. Be honest with yourself about what you need in this moment. And be sure to let me know how it goes.