Take it one square foot at a time
At the beginning of the year, my mom gifted me a week-long decluttering class, which we did together.
I am always eager to create more space in our home and savor the feeling that comes with releasing things and creating space (physically and energetically).
As I tend to do with new opportunities, I went in, all ready for massive change, sure that I’d walk out in a week with a home free and clear of any clutter and no paper piles…
And, then, as I often have to do with my enthusiastic self, I took a step back and got a little more reasonable about what I could actually make happen in a week (on top of work, parenting and life in general).
A week later, I felt pretty great about my space, and my progress, and the commitment I’d made to continue the process.
The Message That Really Landed
There was one thing that the teacher in the challenge said that really stuck with me, and I wanted to share it.
She said, “take one square foot at a time.”
It was an extremely effective technique. Just focus on one little area – not ALL of the books, or ALL of the kitchen items, or ALL of the papers.
Just one square foot of space and stuff.
Then another square foot.
Then another.
Now, there was a lot more to her class than that, of course. And I got a whole lot out of it, including physical space that becomes energetic space which equates to space for creativity and play (hooray!)... and rest (referencing my earlier message giving you permission to rest).
One Square Foot at a Time for Healing, Change, Your Vision
The experience left me reflecting on how important this “one square foot at a time” technique is – to any change we want to make in our lives.
And to the health, wellness and healing journey, which is the one I’m most focused on and passionate about.
If you want to incorporate more self-nourishment into your days, by walking daily, or doing breathing exercises, or doing nervous system healing techniques, or growing capacity for wellness and nervous system healing, one of the most effective and lasting ways to make change is by making your changes in small, manageable chunks.
Essentially one square foot at a time.
What do you want to heal, create or shift?
You want to build calming breathing techniques into your day?
Plan on 3 minutes of a breathing technique after you wake up, before you step out of bed. Or before you fall asleep.
(Later you can build up to 5, 10, 15 minutes a couple of times a day. And then it becomes a natural part of your day, like brushing your teeth.)
You want to write that book?
Write every morning for 10 minutes.
(Later you build up to 30 minutes, and then 60 minutes, or a half day. And the book gets written.)
You want to eat healthier?
Plan to add one to two vegetables into one meal per day to begin.
(Later you build more vegetables into more meals, and it becomes part of your diet. And you might even start craving them!)
You want to incorporate walks outdoors in the sunshine into your day?
Start with 5 minutes, right after a meal, or at a time you know you can commit to.
(Later you build up to 10 minutes, then 15, then 30. And this becomes part of your everyday routine.)
You want to create more art or work on your creative project?
Try one 15 minute art date with yourself one evening a week. Put it in your calendar. Make it happen.
(Later you build to regular and creative sessions. One of my clients creates art almost every day now – after years of neglecting this part of herself. It's now become the morning habit she’s created, and it’s an essential part of her days.)
Don’t worry that the initial daily doesn’t look like the big vision.
Take it one step at a time. One square foot at a time.
Then watch (and celebrate) how the vision becomes real.
(Note: when you're feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world or things around you, this one square foot at a time can be a grounding practice in itself, to bring you back to the present moment, where you DO have control over your next steps.)
Your Health and Healing Grow from the Tiny Habits
It’s so easy to think that because we don’t do it ALL at once, we’re not making progress.
Progress happens in the tiny habits we create. And then the habits grow.
And then the vision becomes real.
Radical self-care practices, health, healing, creative projects, working on your dream vision, can become everyday things that happen through the small steps you take every day.
Healing happens and becomes integrated while we’re doing those things that lead to healing, practicing them over and over, in consistent ways. Until they become part of us.
What's Your One Square Foot?
I’d love to hear from you, what's your one square foot you’re going to focus on right now?
Choosing one thing and keeping your focus small can have a big impact – on your health and well-being, on your creative spirit, and on your vision
And these, of course, impact your relationships, your work, your service, your clients/patients/ participants/ students, your parenting, and the world.
The world needs you well.
With love and many blessings,
Kelly
P.S. Want to focus on your one square foot and practice tiny habits that grow alongside others in community? Join for our next Radical Self-Care Retreat, where nervous system, brain, heart and body wellness are prioritized and honored. This time it will be on a weekday, Thursday, March 24, 9-11 am PST time (12-2 EST), so reserve two hours off for yourself and sink into radical self-care.
Want to join me?
And when you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you on your life, health, healing, career and nervous system regulation journey:
1) Monthly Radical Self-Care retreats – next one is March 24, 9-11 am. You'll walk away nourished, connected, and calmer. And you'll have tools to continue practicing in your everyday.
2) Private, individualized support. Ready to dive in deep and get your self-care, healing, health and life on track with focused, steady support and a journey tailored for you? I have a few spots open for private clients right now – to help you heal and release what's keeping you from health, well-being and your most expansive self, and move toward the vision you've been wanting to make real. Click HERE to schedule a complimentary 20 min discussion to see whether it’s a fit.
3) THRIVE – an 8-week group program to help you to radically step into self-care, learn new tools and get your practices in order, so you can show up in your life with less anxiety and fewer ups and downs, more ease, more meaningful connections, and feeling a whole lot better in your mind, body and spirit. We begin in April. The healing that happens is like one-on-one work magnified because you’re doing it in collective – and that community piece up-levels your healing journey. Email me if you're feeling the call and want early registration savings - and/ or if you'd like to chat for 10 minutes to see if it's a fit.