By Sally Kellett
While many of us are looking forward to returning to some of our old ways of life once restrictions ease, some of us also feel anxious about returning to the busyness of everyday life.
Let’s face it, self-isolation has been a time of reflection for many of us, and it’s offered the chance to enjoy a more simplified life, at a less hectic pace.
So when some of the stress of every day life returns, like sitting in peak hour traffic, waiting in queues for our morning coffee, or facing work deadlines, there are some simple ways that we can hold onto the lessons we’ve learnt while in self isolation, to remain more calm and balanced.
Some key lessons from self-isolation include:
Limit your social activities
Whilst we are all keen to see friends and family after this enforced ‘isolation period’, many are relishing the newfound freedom of not having a crazy social diary booked up weeks in advance. Maybe now is the time to let some air breathe between multiple calendar dates and enjoy a new sense of time and motion. Remember, that it is okay to say no to invitations, and allow yourself plenty of ‘me time’ as we start to move back into every day life. Take time out for walks in nature, and do activities that restore you, rather than deplete you.
Practice mindfulness on the run
It’s a complete myth that you need to be surrounded by fluffy cushions and sparkling crystals in order to practice mindfulness. In fact, some of the best times to practice mindfulness are when you’re doing everyday tasks like the dishes or ironing. When doing a chore like this, single your focus on simply doing it. By holding a single point of focus, other thoughts melt away, giving the mind a relaxing, refreshing break.
Drop the guilt
There is a new sense of freedom and we all need to hang on to this! Not getting up at 5.30am to go to the gym or racing to get a train to work has shown us that life will still go on without the hustle and bustle. We’ve all been stuck in autopilot, living the crazy life that we did prior to the restrictions coming into effect, but now we can take a new direction with slower, more mindful actions.
Simplify life
Limiting the number of people we’ve been able to see during this period has, for some of us, also lessened the negativity and drama that comes from others. Moving forward, simplify your life by spending less time with people that create drama and engage in negative conversations, and surround yourself with positivity instead.
Using quality over quantity in a great way to simplify our lives, and not being forced to see everyone all of the time is a great way to create more time for ourselves.
Live in the moment
Pressing pause has allowed us to take in some of the little moments in life. A sunset. A walk on the beach. Time spent at home with loved ones. Taking lunch breaks and mini breaks during the day.
Even when we return to the 9-5, it’s important that some of these new habits are adopted to create lasting changed, and a more balanced way of life.
Before you go back to the routine that you had before social restrictions were put into place, ask yourself what is really important in your life, and use this as a guide to carve out the sort of life you’d like to create for yourself and your family moving forward.
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Sally Kellett is a professional meditation teacher, certified sound meditation practitioner and founder of Mirosuna – a wellbeing hub and mindfulness studio in South Melbourne created for busy professionals to truly recharge. After experiencing the real, tangible benefits of mindfulness herself without giving up hours of her day to meditate, Sally now teaches others how to bring meditation and mindfulness into their own lives so they see the benefits long after they finish their meditation class.
Sally is currently running online ‘Mindfulness Fundamentals’ courses, with the next four-week course starting on Sunday 14th June. To find out more, visit mirosuna.com/events
