"Get to know the house you live in" — simple yet profound wisdom from today’s yoga class.
Thinking of our lives, bodies, and minds as a house offers a powerful analogy for self-reflection:
- What kind of maintenance and upkeep are we doing on our house? Are we caring for our physical and mental health, nurturing motivation, and managing stress effectively? Dr Sarah McKay's article on six brain-based solutions to beat stress offers actionable insights to help us maintain balance and well-being.
- Are there rooms we avoid entering? Perhaps these represent emotions or aspects of self-awareness that we’re hesitant to confront, yet they often hold the key to personal growth.
- Are the rubbish bins overflowing? Unchecked stress or unresolved emotions or issues can build up like clutter, reminding us of the importance of regular emotional "decluttering." Tools such as the circle of control and influence can also be helpful for knowing what rubbish to throw out, what to file and what to action.
- Could we do some simple renovations to parts of our house to better align with the life we want to live? Small adjustments to habits (see this post on the habit loop) or, practices such as mindfulness or gratitude can create a more supportive environment for our goals?
- Where does our house reside? Is it part of a supportive neighbourhood of relationships or isolated on an island? Strong connections can buffer stress and enhance resilience.
Thanks to Dr McKay for her image - a great representation of her Bottom-up, Top Down, Outside-In model.