imogenreadstarot

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Cards on cloth, journal open, pen in hand. Lately I've felt myself tripping over present moment after present moment, one dancing merrily into the other again and again, giddily, happily, exhaustedly. As exciting as change can be, as exciting as change is (which, by the way, is something I used to have a very hard time believing!) sometimes quiet, oh quiet, carries me through. There is something special about writing without an audience in mind. I haven't published a blog post in over a month now. I am writing for me, to me. No judgement. No delete, no first and then second draft. As the words come, so they are. Blue ink. Scrappy, beautiful, curved, forceful, easy. New thoughts. New opportunities. A collection of Aces. I am lucky. I am happy. I am earth and air, water and fire. I am more. But tonight, most importantly, I am still. Fingertips pressed gratefully against earth. I have always been home, and yet it feels as if my homecoming has only just begun.

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When everything feels as if it should be just so, puzzle pieces slotted together. When we've journeyed far and expect to feel settled, accomplished, content. When something continues to stir within our hearts, urging us further forwards in spite of successes and comfortable accomplishments achieved so far. When we sense a dull dread upon waking and a twinge of guilt as we settle into sleep. What now? Listen. Honour what follows. Bruises, of 'this isn't quite right', of 'nearly, but not yet', of 'not this, after all.' We may be tired. We may seek sleep and dreams, an escape from a confusing reality. We may feel guilty. We may wonder if we are unable to feel what we are supposed to feel. We may wonder if we are simply unappreciative of our fortune. But such niggles, little sign posts, are our guide. Our personal GPS system, leading us along whatever path it is we feel called to follow. We may set out in darkness, shadows and moonlight and the snapping of twigs causing sharp intakes of breath and rapidly beating hearts. Leaves rustling under foot. We keep going. We know we must. With our cups aligned behind and a bravery in our hearts, we strike out and we honour our path.

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I'm learning to focus on today. Just today. Not tomorrow, not next week, not next month. Today, because today is all there is and all I can engage in. Just today stops waves of panic and uncertainty. Today. Today. Today. Today is my first day at my new job, and the difference between how I handle my anxiety now and how I used to (hint: I didn't used to handle it at all!) is remarkable. It's still early days. And so it's just today. Today I can cope with. Today I can journey through. Today. Breathe. Today. Breathe. Breathing through today.

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Reading tarot in our gorgeous garden (well, ours for the weekend!) 🌸

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What do you have that nobody else has? Your story. Yes, there are other people doing amazing things with their amazing gifts, and perhaps sometimes you wonder if you'll ever be able to carve a similar path; but there is always, always room for you, too, sweet friend. You are the only one capable of telling your story and living your truth. Only you. Believe there is room for your gifts and experiences. Believe there is room for your insight and approach. Celebrate the successes of those shining in your field, and instead of shying away out of fear or apprehension, know that there is room for you. Jealousy and envy can make us close up and retreat, especially if we feel like what we have to offer is already being offered by others. But the truth is, every single one of us has something worthwhile and essential to offer. Nobody can do it like you can. Nobody. Step into your space and share your story. We're all listening. We're all waiting for you. 💛

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#Repost @arcanemysteries 😂

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My morning = soulful business planning. Yep, I'm putting it out there - I'm on my way to building my very own empire! 😉 For years I struggled to understand what it was I actually wanted to do, what it was I needed to do, because I couldn't see a clearcut path ahead. I thought, surely there must BE an already travelled path to follow. Surely there is something wrong with me, something I am lacking that is making it so damn difficult to find my footing. I fought and I fought and I ran further and further away from the sweet still space within, the sweet space within which which our answers reside. And the more I played a tug of war with time, clinging to the past and pleading with the future, the more anxious, depressed and lost I became. Until I couldn't anymore. As soon as I decided to gently lay down the rope and just be, exhausted yet for the first time still and silent within the present moment, I felt able to consider an alternative. I began to realise that no, no. There is no one path. I am my path. Just as you are yours. There are teachers and mentors and friends, but the path is new and so I must create it as I go. Sweet freedom! And so, today is sorting out my website content day, as well as planning my first workshop day. Because why the hell not? It occurred to me late last night (always late last night!) that if I knew for sure that my time was truly limited, if I only had a year or two left, I would simply want to share my gifts with the world, to share my story with the world, and to listen, to really listen to the stories of others. I wouldn't worry so much about the how's or the when's or the what's or the why's. I would simply do. I would simply be. Here goes. I begin today. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I am ready. (P.S I stayed up until 1am last night reading Light Is The New Black from cover to cover. Oh boy. Rebecca's words are such a gift. Ya know when something lands in your lap at exactly the right time? That. I met @rebeccathoughts briefly last night at the Hay House Bloggers' Summer Social, but I felt a little too in awe to really put myself out there and strike up a conversation! Next time, hopefully. ☺️)

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Guys, I am having some serious life revelations right now. Joining the dots, holy-shit-life-is-incredible life revelations. Perhaps the most precious, the most life changing thing I've come to know to be true is that within the stillness lies the answer. When we find a stillness within, when we quit playing a tug of war with time, with the past and with the future, Spirit begins to sing. 'Whispers from home' find their way to us effortlessly. And we are home - we are each our own answer. I have gone from wanting to die to wanting to live my very own, beautifully unique, magically exciting life. My own path, one that can't be located externally, one that can't be copied, one that isn't something anybody has lived before. It is mine, and mine only. Like, holy shit people! We are each our own path. There is no 'known way' to follow. Isn't that magical? Isn't that life affirming? Isn't that perfect? And it all begins with stillness. Not with a plan, not with action, not with I-must-do-this-right-now. Stillness. Silence. And we are home.

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Big, big news today. I'm not even sure how to go about processing it all, other than to say I am SO FREAKING HAPPY AND EXCITED RIGHT NOW! Drumroll please... I've only gone and got myself a job! An interesting, exciting, meets my passions and values and strengths kinda job. This journey has been hard at times. So hard. I've fought endlessly with myself over the past two years. I've doubted and believed, believed and doubted, and the doubt has felt impossible to carry at times. Only when I decided to begin working on accepting my situation, accepting fully and truly, did things begin to change. Perhaps that's the key. Compassionate acceptance, compassionate change. These cards represent a little glimpse of my journey and where I find myself now. I am so happy. I am so thankful for the present, and so excited for the future. On more than one occasion I doubted there being any kind of future at all. And now here it is! Aaaah. Ok. Enough rambling. I've got work to do. I've got a job to prepare for. I've got a life to live. Sweet friends, something has shifted and I am all the better for it. I'm beginning to understand a little more of The Fool's courage, Strength's compassion, and the joy of accepting and committing to the Ace. Of walking under the floral archway and growing sweet flowers on the other side. Happy, happy heart. 💛

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Hello pretty #nofilter

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When you're doing a reading on balancing the four elements and the cards are like 'oh hey, one suit wonder!' Alright, alright, I hear y'all loud and clear! 😂 In this case I know I'm desperately lacking earth energy and keep on soaking up other people's vibes = anxiety central. Time for some pentacle power! Grounding and centering, here I come. 🍃✌️

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Today’s Tarot: Sunshine Slumber

Sunshine! Sweet scent of springtime flowers lingering in the air. We are feeling good. We are feeling content. We are feeling safe. We are feeling loved, and we are loving. In this moment, we are. Ah, bliss!��

We've had our fill of treats, just as the little kitty on the left has had his fill of prawns and mice and flowers. Sweet senses! What better than an afternoon snooze in the sunshine? From our contentment comes the flicker of our creative pulse; ideas murmuring, plans weaving together, tools and spell book ready and waiting. 

We know what we are capable of and we are hip hop happy with where we are right now. From this glorious place of acceptance comes soulful magic making. We understand that total acceptance of what is leads to the creation of what will be. Today, we are here. We are whole. Tomorrow, our table awaits.

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I want this dress. 👗 But I don't need it. And so I won't buy it. But I want it. 😭

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Late night scribbles on discarded envelopes.

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Picasso's The Three Dancers (1925) instantly made me think of the 3 of Cups... Although the painting was apparently influenced by a tragic love triangle, so perhaps not the most joyous of scenes! 'Love, sex and death are linked in an ecstatic dance' according to the Tate's website. Food for thought!

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Ok guys. I thought the Mystical Cats Tarot would be awesome, and after a week or so of readings and playing around with the cards I can confirm that this kitty deck is freaking amazing and awesome indeed - I mean, HELLO, cats! On pretty much every card! As a total cat lady, these cards get my seal of approval. I adore the illustrations - cats being cute! Cats being regal! Cats being devious! Cats being clever! - and the ways in which the imagery aligns well with traditional Rider-Waite card meanings. Quite a few cards add lovely little twists, too, bringing new dimensions to standard interpretations. The only *slight* complaint I have is that the card stock is pretty flimsy compared to my beloved Radiant Rider-Waite cards, which are gorgeously glossy. I tend to find that Llewelyn cards in general are quite fragile and prone to bending/scratching if not too careful. That being said, I'll be using the Mystical Cats Tarot primarily as a personal reading tool rather than while reading for others - hopefully the cards won't take too much of a beating if only used at home! On the plus side, the cards are beautifully borderless which is always cause for celebration and somewhat makes up for the card stock issues - hooray! I've long believed cats are the secret masters of the universe and pretty much know everything there is to know about life (the eyes, the eyes!) and this deck provides a great way of tapping into kitty wisdom for heartfelt reflection. Essentially, if you're a cat lover, YOU NEED THIS DECK. Ok thanks bye meow 🐱

[imogenreadstarot]

20 Self-Care Strategies For Managing Anxiety

It's Mental Health Awareness Month 2015, which means plenty of posts to read and share. Today’s post features 20 practical self-care strategies I rely on for managing anxiety at home and in the workplace. Anxiety gremlins be gone!

General self-care 

1. Setting a sleep schedule 

I know that as soon as I begin over-sleeping (sleeping 9+ hours as opposed to my usual 7-8) my mood is soon to be headed south. Which means making an extra effort to get to bed on time every evening, and to get up at a decent hour every morning. If that means having to set multiple alarms, or having to remind my husband to help me out of bed when he gets up for work, so be it! A healthy sleep schedule is an absolute self-care necessity. 

2. Reaching for healthy meals & snacks 

Generally speaking, the healthier my diet, the more energised, refreshed and motivated I feel, making tackling my to-do list and navigating my way through stressful times a little less tricky. Planning ahead helps, as does packing nourishing snacks for on-the-go hunger pangs. Collecting quick and easy recipe ideas is also a winner; I rarely feel like spending hours in the kitchen when feeling low (OK, even when feeling well..!) so the quicker, the better! 

3. Hopping on the mat & taking five 

Often the last thing I want to do when my limbs (and heart) are feeling heavy is to click 'play' on a yoga YouTube video, but I always, always feel better having done so. There is room for sadness, anger, anxiety and overwhelm on the mat; I've had sessions during which I've done nothing but cry and curse while sinking into downward dog. Taking a moment to sit with my breath brings a sense of stillness and safety, helping me find my footing while calming the chaos within.

 4. Cultivating a kind voice

I've found that adopting a kinder inner voice really helps ease my worries when feeling anxious. Cutting myself some slack and refraining from scathingly critical self-talk helps pave the way towards rest and recovery. Reminding myself that I'm doing the best I can and that I'm not the awful person I sometimes believe I am helps strengthen my confidence while boosting my determination and enthusiasm to get out there and try, try again. Becoming my own cheerleader has taught me an incredibly important life lesson - kindness kicks anxiety's ass! 

5. Defusing anxious thoughts 

Creating distance from my thoughts helps provide space for grounding into the present moment, from where I can best regain a sense of control and perspective. Prefacing an anxious thought with observation helps create such space, causing the thought to feel less like truth and more like something I can choose to observe objectively and discard if I want to. 'I will never achieve the things I want to achieve' becomes 'I notice that I am having the thought that I will never achieve the things I want to achieve'. The distance created comes as quite a relief. 

6. Venturing outside 

Heading outside for a twenty minute walk and taking in a few lungfuls of fresh air boosts energy while helping spark creative ideas - the perfect antidote to a creative slump - while the very motion of walking helps create a much needed sense of forward movement and progress. I've found engaging in a mini walking meditation, seeking surrounding sights, smells, sounds, tastes and textures, helps ground me in the present moment, creating a little resting space from anxious thoughts. 

7. Creating movement with purpose 

The thought of going for a walk doesn't always appeal, but adding a goal to the walk - creating movement with purpose - helps encourage me to get up off the sofa and out the door. Whether it's a trip to the post office, picking up some food for dinner, meeting my husband after work or simply stopping by my favourite coffee shop for a vanilla latte (my current drink of choice!), having a goal in sight makes heading outside seem a lot more appealing. 

8. Meeting commitments and maintaining routine 

When I feel anxious, I often sink into avoidance mode, meaning plans end up shelved in favour of staying put at home. Yet avoidance doesn't work, and in the long run it ends up making my anxiety even worse - not ideal! When I sense anxiety beginning to bite, it's essential that I maintain my commitments as best I can. Doing so helps remind me that I'm able to journey through fear, each victory strengthening my confidence and contributing towards a can-do attitude. 

9. Reaching out to a loved one 

Talking through my worries with my husband or with a friend can help lessen the intensity of my thoughts. Reaching out can be tricky at times - often I don't really want to stop the cycle of worrying because I'm afraid, somewhat illogically, that if I stop worrying I won't be able to 'fix' whatever it is I'm worrying about! But connecting with someone who cares and understands brings such a sense of relief, and my loved ones are amazing when it comes to offering support and a shoulder to cry on - as well as lots of therapeutic giggles. 

10. Finding the funny 

Speaking of giggles, one of my favourite anxiety soothers is watching or reading something guaranteed to make me laugh, in doing so providing some respite, however brief, from my thoughts. I'm a huge fan of Jenna Marbles' YouTube videos, as well as scrolling through Damn You Auto Correct! - the latter of which makes me laugh so loudly and with such force, my husband can tell what site I'm on just from my reaction! 

11. Taking my medication on time

I know, I know - this one sounds simple. And yet, sometimes I simply forget to take my medication at the right time, or I put off taking it for a few hours because it tends to make me sleepy, and, well, I don't much like feeling sleepy at 10pm on a Friday or Saturday night! Experience has taught me, though, that consistency is key to fighting anxiety. So, note to self - set an alarm, and get on schedule. 

Self-care at work 

12. Playing to my strengths 

Getting to know my strengths has been key in coping with anxiety at work. I know now that I thrive within a smaller office, as part of a smaller team. I enjoy working independently, with words, and I also enjoy creative problem solving as part of a group. I thrive on asking questions and searching for answers, and I enjoy building relationships with people over time. Identifying my strengths in this way means I'm able to tailor my job hunt towards the type of roles likely to be a good fit - and a good fit means less anxiety and a greater sense of satisfaction and joy. 

13. Creating structure & routine 

Deciding on my top 3 tasks for the day ahead, switching on my computer by 9am, taking regular breaks away from my screen and blocking out an hour for lunch all help create a solid sense of structure and routine, essential when anxious thoughts come a-knocking. Anxiety often shifts my focus out of whack, making overwhelm more likely. Scaling things down and having a plan takes away some of the pressure. 

14. Taking regular breaks 

I can't emphasise enough just how crucial it is for me to take breaks when I need to; taking five minutes to grab a glass of water/make a cup of tea or nip to the loo allows my mind to have a break and my thoughts to settle.Too much screen-time can trigger an unpleasant 'wired' sensation, definitely something to avoid when already anxious! If I'm feeling particularly on edge, taking a few deep breaths while waiting for the kettle to boil helps calm me down and ground me in the here and now. 

15. Confiding in a manager/colleague 

I've been fortunate in having worked with some truly supportive and understanding managers, with whom I've felt comfortable discussing my mental health. Having such support means I have someone to talk to should my anxiety begin to worsen, making it easier to implement any necessary adjustments while lessening the worry that sometimes comes with asking for help. 

16. Making environmental adjustments 

It's amazing how effective little tweaks can be when it comes to minimising anxiety. Headphones, breathing exercises and plenty of water help make me feel safer and more settled when otherwise jumpy and agitated. Lots of hustle and bustle within a workplace sometimes sets me on edge, making head phones my favourite accessory for dulling background noise, helping me to focus and feel less exposed. Working at a corner desk, away from heavy traffic, also helps when trying to find calm in a busy open-plan office. 

17. Working on less intensive projects 

When feeling super anxious I'm not always able to perform at the level I can when well, which tends to infuriate me no end! Instead of trying to force myself into writing a blog post when the words just won't come, I'll switch to less intensive tasks such as editing photos, tidying up past posts and jotting down loose ideas for future content. I also try to tackle trickier tasks first thing, before moving on to gentler ones in the afternoon - a rhythm that works best for me (FYI, this is also where adopting a kinder voice comes in handy!) 

18. Completing small tasks 

When I'm ruminating on my worries it can be extremely difficult to start a task and see things through to the end. Choosing one or two easily achievable tasks to complete helps kick-start momentum, increasing the likelihood of further successes to follow. Something as simple as loading the dishwasher when working from home, or deleting old emails when in the office, helps propel me forwards into the next task on my to-do list, generating a sense of completion and achievement. 

19. Shifting perspective 

 When feeling creatively stunted and anxious, shifting my perspective via a change in scenery can be a huge help. Visiting a gallery or exhibition, exploring a park or garden, or even taking up residence in a previously undiscovered cafe for the day can work wonders in triggering a fresh flow of thoughts and ideas, keeping me creatively connected while granting my mind a break from my worries. Plus, people watching is always fun! 

20. Carrying self-care cards 

Slipping handwritten self-care cards into my bag means I can reach for a ready-to-go self-care toolkit whenever I need to. Jotting down a mini mindfulness meditation, tips for defusing distressing thoughts and two or three positive and empowering affirmations means I always have something on hand to help. Taking a quick bathroom break or heading outside for some fresh air presents a chance to read through my cards and select a strategy best suited to easing my worries. 

What do you find helpful when feeling anxious? Are there any particular strategies or techniques that work for you? Feel free to comment/reblog with your thoughts!