Intentional Living Idea List
This week’s featured printable is a new idea list designed to help you incorporate some intentional actions into your daily routines. I feel fortunate that in my current season of life I have more freedom and time than I did when I was actively parenting. There were days when I was in the thick of raising my four kids when I felt like the only time I had for myself was going to the bathroom. But even now, on the cusp of an empty nest, I find myself constantly reminded of how easy it is to get caught up in the daily grind and let life devolve into mindless social media scrolling and binge watching Netflix.
This one-page printable checklist is designed to help you incorporate small doses of intention into your daily routine, as ay of making each day more mindful and fulfilling.
Take a few deep breaths before starting any task or activity. If you sit at a desk most of the day, try getting up and moving around on a regular basis.
Make time for yourself to do things that make you happy.
Practice mindful eating by chewing slowly, savoring each bite, and paying attention to the taste, texture, and aroma of your food.
Incorporate mindful movement into your daily routine, such as walking or stretching. Choose activities that you enjoy and make you feel energized, rather than depleted.
Take breaks throughout the day to stretch, move, or simply rest your mind.
Practice self-compassion by speaking kindly to yourself and acknowledging that it's okay to make mistakes or have bad day.
Set boundaries to protect your time, energy, and well-being.
Practice getting comfortable saying no and practice asking others for help.
Try a mindfulness meditation. This could be a breathing exercise, yoga or just sitting quietly in a peaceful space. Start with 5-10 minutes and increase a couple of minutes each day. Focus on your breath and bring your attention back to the present moment whenever your mind wanders. Note how you feel after each practice.
You can print out this checklist and keep it in a visible place as a reminder to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine. I hope you like it!
Recommended Reading
10 Tips for Magickal Spring Cleaning
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As the winter fades and the weather begins to warm, many people look forward to the arrival of spring. This season is often associated with new beginnings, growth, and renewal, making it a perfect time for magickal spring cleaning. In many pagan traditions, the Spring Equinox, also known as Ostara, is celebrated as a time of balance and fertility. By incorporating some of these magickal spring cleaning tips into your routine, you can harness the energy of the season and create a fresh start for yourself and your home.
Set your intentions: Before you start cleaning, set your intentions for the space. This can be anything from clearing out stagnant energy to inviting in abundance and positivity.
Make your own cleaner: Combine equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, then add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. Shake well before using and use to clean surfaces throughout your home.
Walk through each room you intend to clean: Before you start cleaning, walk through each space and think about how you want to feel in the space, as well as how you want it to look.
Use salt water: Add some sea salt to water and use it to cleanse surfaces, windows, and floors. Salt water has a purifying effect and can help neutralize negative energy.
Incorporate crystals: Place crystals around your space to amplify the energy of your intentions. Clear quartz, amethyst, and rose quartz are all great choices.
Use sound: Use a singing bowl, bells, or a chime to clear stagnant energy and bring in positive vibrations.
Bless your cleaning tools: Before you begin cleaning, take a moment to bless your cleaning tools. This can be done by holding them in your hands and visualizing them being filled with positive energy and intentions.
Bring in fresh air: Open windows to let fresh air flow through your space. This can help clear out stagnant energy and bring in new, positive energy.
Declutter: Get rid of items that no longer serve you or bring you joy. Clearing physical clutter can also help clear mental clutter and create space for new opportunities.
Express gratitude: Finally, express gratitude for your space and the positive energy you have created. This can be as simple as saying a prayer or lighting a candle to honor your efforts.
Magickal spring cleaning is a powerful way to harness the energy of the season and create a fresh start for yourself and your home. By incorporating these tips into your cleaning routine, you can purify your space, infuse it with positive energy, and set the stage for growth and new beginnings. Whether you celebrate Ostara or simply want to take advantage of the season's natural energy, these magickal spring cleaning tips can help you create a clean, vibrant, and harmonious home.
Recommended Reading
Kitchen Witch: Food, Folklore & Fairy Tale
Green Witchcraft For The Kitchen Witch
The Cottage Witch’s Book of Smudging Recipes, Blessings, and Ceremonies
The Quiet Moon & A Winter's Rest
Hello Friends,
I hope this finds you well and safe. It’s a Tuesday afternoon here in Maine and the sky is a beautiful mess of clouds and sun and the air is a pleasant cold. After a rather harrowing weekend storm that brought five inches of RAIN to the foothills, followed by an arctic blast, I am much appreciative of this quieter weather. Outside my window the river valley is shades of brown and green set against bright white hills. Life is returning to its normal cadence after a several days spent with family celebrating the holiday. It’s always a little bittersweet. I appreciate the quiet return of my regular schedule, but miss my kids.
The Quiet Moon
Next week is the first full moon of 2023. Ancient Celts called it the Quiet Moon. For me January has become a time of rest. There is no outside work to be done (other than shoveling) and I don’t travel much in the winter. The holiday rush is over and now is the time to relax and recharge.
I know that for many folks, the idea of resting when they work full time can seem impossible. Throw in some kids and the idea of slowing down becomes even more elusive. But, I’ve always kind of bucked the trend of busy and prioritized my time to include rest and recharge on a regular basis. When my kids were younger I limited the amount of organized activities they participated in and made our time at home as fun as possible (i.e. pizza and movie nights while camping out in the living room). It also helped that during the second half of raising my kids, they were with their dad a couple of weekends a month. That gave me a much needed break.
It’s funny. When I was in the thick of raising my kids, no one talked (openly) about needing a break from their family. It’s like the last taboo of Motherhood. I honestly never understood how married mom’s survived. From what I saw, they never got a break from their caregiving duties.
So, if you are feeling overwhelmed by family or work or life in general, I get it. And I’d encourage you to ask for help from your partner or family or circle of friends. Because you deserve a break and it is not defect to want time to yourself. Okay. I’m putting my soapbox away now. ;)
2023 Moon Chart
To celebrate the first Full Moon of the new calendar year, this week’s free printable is a new Moon Chart for 2023. I hope you like it!
Well Friends, that’s a wrap for 2022. I can’t express the joy that sending out a letter to you each week has brought me over this year. And connecting with so many of you on Instagram has been an added bonus. I’m looking forward to sharing some new adventures in 2023 with you all.
Happy New Year!
Yours,
Lorri