Since posting my new years resolutions and how I talked about trying to be more positive this year, I started doing some new things that have really helped me stress less and stay focused. As well as releasing stress, I wanted to make my bedtime routine more of a time to reflect on my day and go to bed with happy thoughts. From the time I can remember, the idea of going to bed always gave me anxiety. As a child, I was afraid of sleeping alone, was afraid of the dark and was also a light sleeper. I eventually got used to sleeping alone and I am not so much of a light sleeper these days, but I frequently get nightmares and the anxiety of going to bed sometimes shows it's ugly face to me today. I've started to create an almost ceremonial routine before bed and have found that I have slept better, had less nightmares and woke up happier.
More Baths
Now, I know we all do not have the time in our schedules to take a bath often, I certainly don't, but I've found that dedicating at least one day a week to opt for a bath instead of a shower is so beneficial for me when it comes to wanting to release some stress in my life. A friend of mine made some amazing scented epsom salt for me for Christmas and I've been using them when I bathe and they are incredibly relaxing. I also feel a little icky after baths and think "I've just been lying in my own warm filth for 20 minutes" and usually have a quick shower afterwards. Sometimes when I don't have time for a bath, I will start the shower, plug the drain and add some scented epsom salt to the bathtub. Just having your feet soak in that water as you shower and smelling the aroma of the scented salt is very soothing. Along with the bath itself being relaxing, I also try to meditate when I'm showering or in the bath. I got this idea from an episode of one of my most favourite podcasts called Psychic Teachers. They explained that you can pretty much meditate anywhere and at anytime and for many of us, the only time we are truly alone and not distracted by things is when we are in the shower. You can meditate when you are stopped at a red light, when you are washing the dishes, when you are folding laundry, when you're in the shower, etc. They explain that meditation is really just a time to quiet the mind. I've also always been the type of person that prefers to shower at night (mostly because I wake up too late in the mornings to shower and also the thought of feeling wet and cold coming out of the shower first thing in the morning makes me shudder). Psychic Teachers explain that showering at night is good for you energetically as it symbolically washes your day away. Throughout the day, our bodies, skin, hair, etc. absorb and trap all of the energy that was around us that day, good and bad. If you don't shower at night, you are essentially bringing that energy to bed with you. What I have found to be therapeutic is before I am done showering or bathing, I unplug the bath and watch the drain pull the water out. As it does that, I imagine all of the stresses from my day being pulled down the drain and away from me. Once the last bit of water is out, I turn the water off, come out and dry off, put clean pjs on and go to bed with a clear mind, clean body and without bringing anything from my day to bed with me. Kinda like the old saying "don't go to bed angry".
More Grateful
Each night before I go to sleep, I write in a journal one thing or many things that I am grateful for that day. It helps me to again release any burden from my day or any thought that is weighing on me and shifts my focus to a good thing. As we all know, the more we are grateful for, the more things that we will be grateful for will come into our lives. No matter how awful my day could be, I really try and find the one thing that was the light in the darkness and fall asleep to that thought. This is just a side note, and maybe it's just some quirky thing that I like but, I found that the prettier the journal is, the more I write in it. Here is a pic of my journal and yes, I know it looks like it should be owned by a seven year old girl, but it really does give me the warm fuzzies when I look at it and makes me want to write in it. I also love that it says, "may all your dreams come true" with the majestic unicorns on it. Makes me feel like I can sort of take a trip through a magical land where no idea, dream or wish is far fetched and these unicorns will carry my happy thoughts and wishes and make them come true. Again, this probably wouldn't resonate with everyone, pick a journal that truly speaks to you.
I've also created an altar (I know how that sounds), but it's actually really pretty and a nice place to put some meaningful items to draw your attention to when you walk in your room. Mine is more of a reminder to be grateful for the abundance in my life. Here is a pic of my altar.
Clean and Warm
As I mentioned in one of my new years resolutions, cleaning and purging was and is something that I have really tried to maintain. My room is nearly done (I've re-decorated it, just waiting to post pics with final touches complete) and I have been really trying to always have it neat and tidy. My room was always, always, ALWAYS a mess. It was never a place that I would go to unless it was to sleep. Now my room is my own personal bubble that really feels like a sanctuary. I make my bed everyday (ok, my mom makes it most days...), and I try and devote time some time before my night shower to tidy it before bed. When our physical space is chaotic and messy, so is our frame of mind. Metaphysically speaking, messy, dusty or disorganized places is where negative energy usually chooses to stick to and gets trapped in. When you have a neat and tidy space, there is no room or areas where that negativity can get trapped in and your mind naturally begins to focus. To some, this is an innate way of living, but not for me. Trying to maintain a clean and organized space is something I really needed to practice so don't feel bad if you are looking at your messy space and begin to panic, because that was me for most of my life. Staying clean and organized was a learned trait for me and is starting to become habitual. I also purchased an essential oil diffuser and I absolutely love it. My favourite essential oil scent is bergamot and I turn my diffuser on every night before my shower and shut my bedroom door. When I walk into my room after the shower, I am greeted with this wonderful, sweet and clean aroma and it's totally relaxing. I got the diffuser on Amazon for about $30 and could not be happier with it, here is a pic of it.
I also have a Himalayan Sea Salt lamp which was gifted to me many years ago. I finally took it out and now use it every night. The lamp is said to have many healing properties such as reducing the yucky stuff (I don't know the proper terminology) that is emitted by electronics like cell phones and computers and is also known to boost your immune system. I really like the warm and softy glow that it radiates when you turn it on.
Crystals
I have recently started to learn more about crystals and their healing properties. When I first started making jewelry, I was always drawn to the natural stone beads and briefly read up on them and thought they were really cool. Now that I've started to do more research on them, I find them to be absolutely fascinating. Different crystals and stones have been used for centuries as good luck talismans, to ward off negative energy or worn for protection. There literally is a crystal for anything in your life. I bought a book called "The Crystal Bible" by Judy Hall and I found that it was a really great introduction to crystals. You can meditate with them, keep them in your car for safe travels, gift them, place on your window sills for protection and also create crystal grids. When I began reading up on them, I was mostly interested in the ones that helped to ward off nightmares. The crystal that was mostly recommended was citrine. Citrine is a beautiful clear and slightly orange stone that you can easily find in many metaphysical stores. There was a time where I was having nightmares very often with them being reoccuring for about four nights in a row. I went to a really amazing crystal store on Bathurst and Bloor and picked up many crystals but in particular, was in search of citrine. That night, I brought it home and placed it under my pillow before bed and I didn't have a nightmare that night. I now reach under my pillow every night before bed and make sure my crystal is there as it has not failed me since. I really cherish this crystal.
P.s. This crystal is also great to keep in your wallet as it is said to attract money into your life.
When I Wake up, In My Make Up
Well, now that I'm showering nightly, I don't wake up in yesterdays make up anymore and wanted to not only start the day clean and fresh as well as with positive affirmations. Yes, I've become one of those people that tapes or sticky notes positive affirmations in my room where they are most visible, but I love it and wish I had done it sooner. I also posted some positive affirmations and mantras inside the doors to my wardrobe so I'm always surrounded by words that are inspiring and that will manifest good things into my life. So when I need a sweater, BAM!.. mantra. It's actually exciting to read them in the morning because it makes every day special and makes you feel that as you walk out into the world that day, you are opening Pandora's Box, so to speak, and uncovering new and wonderful possibilities and opportunities. Here are some of the things that I have posted in my room that fill me with love, happiness, excitement for my day and a positive outlook. I also read them before bed and remind myself that tomorrow is a new day with a clean slate and that I better get to sleep soon so that my day ahead can come and provide me with whatever it is that I am seeking. Here is what I affirm to myself everyday.
Well folks, I think it's time for bed... I wish you all a wonderful sleep with beautiful dreams and that you wake up to a fabulous and soul enriching day tomorrow. I hope you all enjoyed today's post!
Thanks for reading!
-Netti, The Vintage Teacup Lady
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