Three Ways to Stay Grounded in 2022
The beginning of a new year, or a fresh start of any kind, is an exciting time. But before we try to change the world, or harder yet, change ourselves — we need to make sure that we’re grounded. Without first grounding ourselves, we’ll have little chance at creating significant change. In creating a grounded foundation, we can move powerfully towards our goals and dreams.
1. The Fundamentals
Def. forming a necessary base or core; of central importance.
Though there are many things we can do to keep ourselves plugged in, there are three specific fundamentals that can’t be ignored:
Sleeping: I feel significantly less grounded after one poor night of sleep. String a few poor nights of sleep together? Well, good luck to me. Sleep matters. Prioritize it. Rock these three sleep curfews, especially number one, and you’ll be setting yourself up for success.
Eating: If you’re anything like me, perhaps you haven’t eaten as well as you typically do lately because of the Holidays. Do you feel that? I do. What we fuel ourselves with matters. Feel the difference between a light healthy meal vs. over-indulging in junk & chemicals-ridden “foods”. Choose real food more often.
Moving: Not long ago we were hunter-gatherers, moving most of the day. Today, well…less so. Moving consistently and often allows us to show up energized and grounded. Whether this be through walking, lifting, yoga, dancing, or whatever else you fancy — MOVE!
2. Meditation
Whether it’s a minute, ten minutes, or an hour a day — we need to train our attention. What going to the gym does for our body, meditation does for our mind.
Not meditating would be like an elite athlete not practicing or lifting weights and expecting to show up at the highest level in their chosen sport.
We can’t expect to not train our mind and then show up with the level of clarity, focus, and emotional stamina that we need when it matters most, whether that be at work or in the moment before an argument escalates with a loved one. Meditation helps us see just how scattered our mind is, and helps us get better at re-focusing our mind on where we want our attention.
A minute a day can make a significant difference. Invest that minute.
3. Remember the Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
We spend too much time on things we simply cannot change and not enough time on changing the things we can. Knowing the difference (between what’s in our control vs. not) can be as simple as a quick journaling on which is which on any given day. Use the feeling of frustration or anger as a trigger to reflect and ask yourself, “Is what I’m upset about in my control?” If it’s not, let it go. If it is, get to work.
The more we shed what we can’t control and lean into what we can, the more grounded we’ll feel.
Let’s make 2022 our best yet.
If you’d like support in staying grounded, or being accountable to your goals and the person you wish to be — please reply to me to let me know you’re interested in working with me as your coach. From there we can discuss if the fit is right (for both of us) and how I love to show up for my clients.
As I have noted on my website:
I help my clients find clarity, set meaningful constraints, and build self-trust through purposeful ACTION.
Here’s to a grounded (and amazing!) 2022.