Simple ways to seize the day
What does carpe diem look like for you?
I’m back after a month’s hiatus. Thank you for bearing with me while I took some much needed time.
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“Seizing the day doesn’t have to be the huge bucket list things.”
I saw Sarra Hoy being interviewed on television and when being asked about how she copes in the face of her husband’s incurable cancer diagnosis as well as being diagnosed with an aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis herself at the same time, this is one of the things she said.
I resonate with this sentiment and it sits within my ethos behind Slow Living in the Big City.
Don’t get me wrong, the big bucket list things are wonderful, but they generally don’t reside in our regular day-to-day experience.
And it’s the everyday that offers us so much opportunity.
It can be understandably easy to get bogged down by day-to-day stuff and to feel weighed down by external pressures - especially anything out of our control.
Though easier said than done, by turning attention to the things that are within your control instead, it becomes possible to seize the day in your own way.
Here are just a few things that work for me. I’m sharing just in case you find any of them useful for yourself:
Practice presence: Being in the present moment is not only a great way to be mindful, it also allows you to really take in what is happening right now and experience more clarity. With greater clarity it becomes easier to be more intentional in your actions.
Let go of perfection: How many times have you delayed something because it wasn’t perfect in your eyes? Taking writing on Substack as an example, I’ve met a number people who haven’t started because they want anything they put out there to be perfect. The thing is, writing doesn’t work that way. The danger is that you sit for years with the blank page or screen, when instead you could allow yourself to begin imperfectly.
Don’t assume there will be another time: Whenever my Mum would talk about future plans she had a habit of ending with the phrase, “If I live.” It used to annoy me, but as I got older I came to understand that it was one of her ways of not taking time for granted. Yes, plan for the future but if there is something you can do today, then do it.
Worrying is wasted time: I say that as someone who is still prone to slipping into worry at times. I feel it blocks the potential solutions that may arise to alleviate the very thing you’re worrying about. Also, you can be pretty sure that worrying leaves you feeling worse.
Get moving: If or when the opportunity presents itself, move your body. This will look different for all of us. Maybe it’s going for a walk or run, doing some stretches from your chair, incorporating a yoga practice into your day, lifting weights or dancing around your kitchen. It will likely do wonders for your mood too.
Let there be space for laughter: As I wrote here last month, I make it a point to laugh every day. As cliched as it sounds, laughter really is medicine.
Yes, some of these may be obvious but sometimes we can all benefit from some simple reminders, especially when things feel hard.
Over to you:
What have you been putting off that you can start today?
How do you seize the day?
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES TO PRACTICE YOGA WITH ME:
In-Person:
Hatha Flow, Wednesdays 9.30-10.30am at Yoga Point, Brixton. Book here.
Wake-Up Hatha Flow, Thursdays 9.30-10.30am at MIND Yoga & Pilates, Forest Hill. Book here.
Rest + Restore, Saturday 5 April 3.30-5pm at Embody Wellness, Vauxhall. Find full details and book here.
Online:
Not able to join me in-person? There’s now two years’ worth of yoga and meditation practices from me here on Substack in The Reset and A Peaceful Pause, like this Start the Day with Intention meditation:
In honour or World Sleep Day which took place this month, try my Calm Mind for Sound Sleep on-demand class available on the YogaEasy (formerly EkhartYoga) platform here.