Slow Down, Pause, and Deepen

05 Apr Slow Down, Pause, and Deepen

Could we experience joy that is not associated with any accomplishment? Is it possible to experience excitement and contentment at the same time? These existential questions I often come across in sessions with clients at my psychology practice, who are seeking out meaning and answers to certain gridlocks in their lives. (While personally navigating some of my own)

The most common being the “yo yo” feeling… emotions caught up between fear, anxiety, uncertainty on one side & dealing with hyperarousal and adrenaline associated with winning, achieving and needing to be productive on the other side. As soon as there is no achievement, we find ourselves in the dread of worry and dissatisfaction, but when we are chasing our tail to accomplish, we feel fatigued and exhausted. What gets lost in this “yo yo” is our sense of calm, emotional stability and groundedness; We may have possibly lost our innate curiosity, need for exploration and wander…that we have had from the time we were born as babies.

 For many of us we have been caught up in the grind of the day! whilst weekend socializing, a few glasses of wine, Netflix binge watching, endless scrolling on phone or impulsive shopping can give us temporary relief, it never fully soothes us or heals us. Some of the above may only distracts us.

In the last few months, I have found myself saying this in conversations with many of my clients, the need to surround ourselves in green and blue spaces. Green space as in parks, mountains, farmlands, valleys and blue spaces as in bay, beaches, waterfalls or rivers.

I spent 3 days recently at Exeter on southern Highlands, on a 140 acres private property leased on AirBnB by a lovely couple. Whilst I have a daily practice for a few minutes everyday to calm, soothe and connect deeply with myself, being on this vast abundant land offered an extended period of time to slow down, pause and deepen this practice of grounding myself.

We woke up to the tweeting, fluting and singing of native birds and rustle of the wind in the autumn leaves, bathed in the warm sunshine and felt peace in the silence. We loved greeting the chooks on the farm every morning and were delighted to receive their freshly laid eggs. The smile on my son’s face made my heart melt!

As we walked through the farm, smelling the sweetness of roses and tanginess of the limes, we were all set to feed delicious oats to the sheeps and hay to the Black Dexter cows. Never imagined how immersing it is in feeding these lovely friends, especially when they surround you for more like a group hug!.

On one of the days we decided to go for a hike on top of the mountain within the property and explore burrows made by wombats, endless path through trees and valleys. In those moments it was a reminder that nature is always bigger than us and we are just a tiny part of this space. There was a sense of wander, openness, and freedom that we hadn’t felt for some time; being caught up in our daily life routine in the city.

We felt every step of our boots, heard every sound in the quietness. Deep into the valley we were surrounded by the beauty of different species of native birds like the bright blue & red crimson Rosellas; & on ground with hidden snakes, spiders and reptiles, surrounded by the lush green and sprouting of endless trees. It was an experience of oneness and the world being bigger than where we live in. There was a deep sense of contentment and presence in every essence of my being, detached from anxieties/fears and no hyper excitement associated with any tangible win, a paycheck or a material manifestation. It was freeing, soothing and warm. I felt wholly rejuvenated and recharged.

On my return back to my life in Sydney, I know I am more expanded, more grounded and rooted; I have clarity on what’s valuable in my life, what gives me joy. I am fully aware that I can draw within the center of my beingness for this continuity of calm and peace, no matter what noise or uncertainty occurs on the surface. All I do is pause, breathe deeply and a take a few moments to bring those memories alive of being in Exeter and wrap myself with those feelings of calm, soothed and harmony.

So when do you give yourself permission to pause?

Are you ready to give yourself soothing and compassion you need from time to time by turning towards presence in the vastness of mother nature?

What would be your daily practice to reflect, contemplate and practice Being-ness?  

Feel free to write your comments and feedback on this blog.

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