For International Calm Day I would like to share how I stay calm, keep on top of my anxiety and how I have changed my life in four short months.
Last year, I was stressed, anxious and not interested in changing anything. I spent months working 12-hour days and not questioning my panic attacks. I saw the business thrive, wrote a book, travelled and toured the UK talking in schools. I wanted to keep it all up, but knew I wouldn’t be able to if I carried on that path. Over the Christmas holidays, I took the time to work out exactly how to move forward, not to keep the success up but to be a happier, calmer entrepreneur.
Meditation
I never, ever, ever believed in meditation. How was sitting in a room breathing going to help me? That was, of course, until I actually started meditating. I was keeping up with Acacia Brinley’s mindfulness journey and thought I could try it too. I downloaded the Calm App that evening and have been meditating twice a day ever since; once in the morning and just before I go to bed. My meditation sessions are only 10 minutes each and not only do they set me up for the day but help me stay focused and motivated. My business has never been more successful, and I have never felt more relaxed. Gwenyth Paltrow, eat your heart out.
Happy Journal
For years growing up I would write a diary, I decided I wanted to be a writer at six, so it doesn’t come as a surprise. I was on the hunt for a gratitude diary. I wake up everyday feeling fortunate that I am alive and I still have the opportunity to have an impact in the world but I wanted to see my blessings in a writing format. I struggled to find a gratitude journal but did come across Fearne Cotton’s Happy Journal. With practical advice, exercises and quick tips, I enjoy each diary entry and have kept them going since January 1st.
My ‘fun’ resolution
I’m not one for resolutions, a few years ago though I decided that each year I would come up with a word and would try and stay true to that word throughout the year. When pursuing journalism, my word was observe and last year my word was grace. I thought long and hard about my word for 2018, until one evening it came to me. I just wanted to have more fun, old-fashioned, no fuss fun. Each month I have done something I have never done before (post coming soon), I have booked trips with friends I haven’t seen for years, spent three weeks celebrating my birthday and committed to not regretting the time I am taking off from work.
Work hard, play harder
If you didn’t know, I love my job. I love having the power to change the world and empower young girls. Which is probably why, if I could I would spend every waking hour working. It was only after months of working long days and not getting enough sleep that I started to realise how much I needed to change. I was getting changed for events in taxis, tweeting when having breakfast and leaving a notepad next to my bed in case that brilliant idea came to me while sleeping. I was burning the candle at both ends until I invested in being present. Now, with everything I am doing, whether it be skiing, walking or writing a post I think, am I here? Am I present? Is this the only activity I am committing to right now? If the answer is no, I regroup and change my mindset.
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