Just One Positive Thing ...

Claire has a business called Women On A Mission that was created as part of her VIP coaching business several years ago. She has sent us this blog with some great tips and exercises to inspire us to get the best out of every day - even in lockdown!

I believe we are all on own own little Missions and we each have our missions each day, me included. 

Whether it be to be the best parent, partner, friend, to be the best version of ourselves in work and at home – be it to leave the house on time or taking on a big renovation project, whatever the Mission, big or small, in order to do so well, we must look at ourselves to the best of our ability. There is a reason the airlines suggest we put on our masks first before helping others in case of an emergency! 

I live my life one Mission at a time, hence the name but my passion is to share my nuggets with as many people as I can, including my weekly Missions and Power Hours as seen on Instagram – they are small but very effective and I believe, make a big difference. One mission a week, leads to 52 missions year, 52 ways to bring a positive and motivating habit to our lives, to help us live the best life we can. 

Whatever your Mission in life, work, home and garden, it’s good to know there’s someone out there to support you. Our house is our home, our castle, our sanctuary, the place we feel safe and special and as we spend our downtime there, let’s focus on how to feel amazing there too. 

There’s no doubt these last few months have been very strange, stressful, heartbreaking, unsettling and so much more.. 

Firstly, how are you? Really? 

We ask this question all the time but do we listen, truly and wholeheartedly to the answer? Both when we ask ourselves and when we ask others? 

Do you ask yourself how you are and have regular checkins with yourself? 

Today, I am going to give you permission to check in on yourself each day – take just a few moments maybe whilst the kettle is boiling or whilst you clean your teeth…

I can almost hear you say, “I barely have time to catch my breath, let alone ask myself how I am and act on it!” It’s only natural to feel overwhelm, anxiety and utter distress, when we are faced with difficult situations; illness, job loss, financial difficulties – it’s exhausting, becomes your every thought and it’s possible to feel like you’re going to be stuck feeling like this forever..

What you are feeling WILL get better.

With some self nurturing and support from others, we can gradually change our thought patterns and in turn, slowly but surely, start to feel a little better.. 

“Believe there is a great power silently working all things for good, behave yourself and never mind the rest.”

Beatrix Potter 

How can we start to shift that mindset? Lockdown, working from home, home schooling (or emergency schooling as I heard someone call it this week!) isn’t easy – we all know that – it’s busy! So I’m going to suggest focusing on achieving just ONE positive action a day.. just one.

Why? 

By doing this, in turn, you’ll feel brighter, have more energy, sleep better and more importantly, feel better about yourself and the situation we are all in.. I’m not promising that by tomorrow morning, you’ll feel on top of the world, but day by day, step by step, small but intentional, positive actions will shift those patterns of thinking and overwhelm.

When you’re thinking about which positive actions to do, break it down into little areas and ask; 

What positive action can I take for my health today? 

What positive action can I take for my family, partner, children, work colleague or neighbour today? 

What positive action can I do for my garden today? 

What positive action can I do for my home today? 

What positive action can do I for me today? 

Mark Twain that said, “Dance like nobody’s watching; love like you’ve never been hurt. Sing like nobody’s listening; live like it’s heaven on earth.

Some ideas:

Put on your favourite track and turn it up loud! Sounds crazy I know, but music, can lift the mood and make us feel uplifted.

Plant some bulbs in a pot and enjoy watching them grow on your window sill. My snowdrops started peaking through a week or so ago and it really does make me feel that spring and lighter, warmer days are on the horizon.

Find a new walk where you live that you haven’t done before and commit to doing it at least once a week, rain or shine.

Do you have a room in your house that needs attention and despite Lockdown, you close the door and put off doing anything about it? (or is that just me!) Why not try a #powerofanhour or half an hour and get started? It’s not always fun to start, but often getting started is the hardest right? Read more about how beneficial the #powerofanhour is here.

When our bodies are stressed, the last thing it needs sometimes is additional stress, yet exercise can really help those feel good endorphins rise and that “YES! I did it!” factor of a workout (afterwards!) is great.. However, it’s not all about getting a “sweat on”, yoga, pilates or simply stretching for 10 minutes can also have great benefits too. I love working out with Digme At Home – there are literally hundreds of workouts throughout the week and at all different times of the day, for all levels. They currently have a free 21 day trail – so there’s no excuse. the workouts are live as well as OnDemand. You’re welcome 😉

Journal – there are days that are fabulous and there are days that aren’t so, but try documenting down three things each day that you are grateful for. No matter how bad things are, there will always be something within your day that you can be grateful for (I don’t mean that patronisingly at all) Trust me I’ve had some pretty low days in my time and sometimes it’s only too easy to get stuck in a rut of negativity. Try this for a week, you’ll shift your state of mind and refocus your purpose.

There are hundreds of apps out there that can help you too including Headspace, Mind Detox and Gaia are all favourites of mine.

“Your now is not your forever”

I love this quote, its a reminder that the rubbish times and also the good times won’t last forever and that the way you are feeling right now shall also pass too. I was delighted to have been asked by Nicky at InsideOut to share some thoughts own bringing a little positivity your way as part of her blog series, so I really hope these have helped you.

I really hope these tips for bringing a little positivity to the situation we find ourselves in help you.

I’ve created some planners which I find really useful in keeping me focused and organised which you can find on my blog. (Womanonamissioncoaching.com) or download your consistency checklist HERE

I hope they will give you a little inspiration so that you can create a feeling of being more in control and less overwhelmed so that you can concentrate on the things that are most important to you. I’d love to know which one is your favourite and which ones you’ll be trying out.

Feel free to share in the comments your thoughts and also what has helped you during the last 12 months.

What makes you feel less blue?

I would love to hear from you.

Stay healthy and well,

Claire

PS - here are some mindful books that might help too..

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse
Mindful Thoughts For Walkers
Mindful Thoughts For Cyclists
Mindful Thoughts For Home