Being an adult is hard.

Tell me if this sounds familiar to you:

Somewhere along the way in amongst bills, wiping bottoms, or keeping up with your boss you completely forget who you really are.

I'm not talking about the obvious outside you. I'm talking about the innate, inner you.

The light-hearted you. The you who is actually really funny. The you who doesn't take themselves too seriously. The you who doesn't care so much about what people think. The you that is really clever when it comes to a particular subject or interest. The you who has brilliant ideas and springs to life when you get a chance to freely express them. The unique ‘you’ you were created to be.

Life is demanding more and more from you and your energy levels hit an all time low. Then something helps you to remember- perhaps a friend that always brings out the true you or a treasured memory from the past and you suddenly realise that you're not really the serious, worried, stressed out, closed up person that you so often seem. You're not really the parent that always says ‘no’ or the friend that has no time or the exhausted spouse.

And it makes you sad to think about it.

Because our life here is short and we never really know how long we'll have for the important things.

News flash. It's okay to leave the laundry in the basket and get down on the floor and play with your kids. It's okay to leave the emails unanswered and ring your mum or mate instead.

SO. Here are 5 easy ways that you can re-centre and re-discover the real you:

NATURE! Get out and stick your feet in the dirt (officially known as grounding). Surf. Climb a tree (no, you’re not too old). Go for a bush walk. Sniff some flowering gum. Soak in the sun. Breathe the world around you deep into your lungs. The beautiful world we live in is there to be appreciated. It’s there for us to enjoy and receive healing from . Don’t waste it!
Go on an adventure to find things that inspire you. Apart from the obvious bush walks (as above) I love to check out antique shops, art galleries, boutiques, farmers markets, handmade markets, etc. Seeing all the amazingly clever and beautiful work that other artisans have created and displays in little shop windows deeply inspires me. It really helps me to appreciate how uniquely wonderful others are when they shine in their element!
Make a BIG MESS! Everyone has that thing that makes them feel like they’re in their element. Not everyone sets aside time for it. Find something that inspires you to be creative and just DO IT! Don’t get caught up on the end product. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t turn out how you’d hoped in the end. What matters is the process. Whether its cooking a new recipe, writing a song, painting a picture, sculpting a pot, making something out of wood or even making a new garden- the process can be so energising and it’s never a waste of time.
Surround yourself with reminders of what makes you YOU. What do you value most? What are your most treasured memories? What is your story? I’m a firm believer that a home should tell a story of the people living there. Special photos. Scented eucalyptus or roses in a vase. A rock or shell collected when out in nature. Family heirlooms. Bible verses or quotes that remind you of what you value most. Art that deeply speaks to you… By being surrounded by these things they can be a visual reminder to you on a chaotic day to re-centre in what’s important to you.
Spend time with someone who is really close to you. No distractions. No interruptions. It needs to be someone who knows you well. Who loves you unconditionally and who you can be yourself around. The kind of person you can pass wind beside and they will still love you just as much. THAT kind of relationship. 😆 Whether it’s your kids, spouse, best friend, sister or brother, parents, or God. It can be easy to forget to be intentional about setting aside this special time but it’s so, SO important to do it regularly.

I hope in the hustle and chaos of life you find these tips helpful and refreshing. Because sometimes when we’re in the trenches it’s hard to see a way out and we need help!

Taking time away is important. Breathe. Be present. Love. Repeat.

Connect with your creator and who you were created to be!

Lots of love,

Helen