Hi EnLifers! So today, I’m excited to share that I created a meditation space in my guest room closet today! Might as well use some of that extra un-used space I referenced in last week’s post!! I cleared it out and now, it’s stocked with some pillows, candles, inspirational reading, and prayer sticky notes! I was actually inspired by a friend who has a prayer closet! I’d planned on having some dedicated meditation space whenever we finished the basement, but this idea allowed me to not have to wait for something that is probably way down the road. Why is this important to me? Well, besides being a person that draws energy from the aesthetics of spaces, a couple of months ago, I did a 21-day meditation on time. It focused on how we relate to time and how to be present in the now- basically being mindful. It was a very shifting experience and it gave me tools to use for when I’m stressed and/or negatively spiraling. Many times, I’m stressing out about something I’m reacting to in the present and/or that I’m projecting in the future. This is where mindfulness comes into play where I can focus on the present. In the present, I can choose to focus on positive things that are in the present, like beauty or nature around me, my breath or heartbeat (which when you think about are both fairly miraculous!), and just whatever brings me back to gratitude vs stress/negative energy. Ultimately, whatever I’m stressing about is generally not worth the attention I’m giving it IF I focus my attention on all the great, positive things I have to be grateful for in that same moment. This ultimately can be applied to any area of your life and I realized finances are no different, so maybe you can use these tactics too. When I’m stressing about finances, in particular on this journey to financial independence, I stop, close my eyes, and think about 1) what my finances are providing me in the present; 2) what positive experiences and/or accomplishments have I had in the personal finance arena; and 3) meeting my financial goals in the future and the resulting feelings when I think about that time. I can do this anywhere, but now I also have a special space to go to when possible to focus on these things. Physical spaces are important to me and being able to have a place to be intentionally prayerful, reflective, and focused on is right up my alley! So I’m excited! Can’t wait to use it for the 1st time! Please share how you de-stress in the comments below and as always-I hope you have and “en-lifefull” week!
-MK