“Are you sure you’ll be ready to come back to work that quick?”
“Yes, I’ll be looking forward to it!”
Fast forward to one month later. I’ve just returned from a multi-week adventure in Spain, and I am definitely not ready to come back to work. My flight landed in Denver 3 days ago and a recurring migraine has settled on me like something sticky I can’t wipe off.
I’ve been denying it. Popping tylenol, wearing sunglasses, and continuing on with all the tasks and projects I need to do. Resentful of my body and angry about the discomfort, thinking “I should be able to do this!”
One craniosacral therapy treatment and two insightful conversations with Kris and Sharon later and I finally have my ah-hah moment. I hadn’t given myself enough time to arrive back at home. I hadn’t honored the necessary time of transition. And I had failed to recognize that I would need that time at all because even when you love the job and life you’re returning to, you can still be overwhelmed by life’s responsibilities piling back up in front of you.
So what now? How do we actually honor transitions and arrive with intention? So far, I’ve noticed that taking a few extra moments to orient myself, connect with my body, and acknowledge where I am helps. Here are a few examples of things I’ve been trying that you can adopt for your own benefit or exploration:
- Waking
I lay in bed for a couple extra minutes after I wake up. I notice the warmth and feel of my bedding. Take in the light and color of the space. Gently squeeze my arms and legs, take a full body stretch. Say to myself, “welcome back from the world of dreaming.” - Morning Nature Time
When I’m able, I like to visit the park by my house in the morning. Sometimes I walk but when I journal or draw, I lay out a blanket and take my shoes off. Before I sit down, I take a few extra steps barefoot through the grass. After I sit, I lay down and take 3 deep breaths looking up at the sky taking note of the light and the clouds. - Being Early
When I’m coming in for a bodywork appointment, I arrive early. I take my time checking in and saying hello to the front desk team. I grab a cup of tea and I feel the warmth of it in my hands while I sip it in the waiting room. I do a bodyscan, noticing where I have pain, tension, or ease. This helps me make the most out of my treatment because I’m ready to answer the questions,”how is your body feeling?” and “what do you want to work on today?” - “My name is Hayli and I’m here right now”
This is one that Bill taught me many years ago. I love how simple and straightforward it is. Before I begin work for the day, or venture out of the house for my next to-do, I pause and open my arms wide and say to myself, “my name is Hayli and I’m here right now.”
Will all these little practices help me next time I travel? I can’t know for sure, but what I will say is this: I feel gratitude well up inside me every time I do them. Having time and space to move slowly is a luxury in our fast paced world. And when I can find even a moment of spaciousness, I feel grateful for it. This gratitude lessens my stress and helps me manage whatever comes next.
Empty yourself of everything. Let the mind become still. The ten thousand things rise and fall while the Self watches their return.
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
You could argue that all of life is a transition, that everything is constantly changing, that the present is the pivot point between the past and the future. I believe our ability to transition, to arrive from one moment to the next is a skill worth cultivating and exploring with humble curiosity.
Warmly,
Hayli
Marketing Director