RETHINKING 'GETTING FIT'

Like many, I struggled for years to find a workout that I enjoyed. Trying to figure out what would give me the most calories burned for time spent, I tinkered with various machines at the gym (treadmill on highest incline at a very brisk walk was one of the most 'effective' for that purpose), but never wanted to keep up with any of it. 

Three years ago, I started going to barre classes. After my first class, I remember not knowing if I'd be able to stand up with out collapsing as my legs had been shaking so hard during thighs. I wasn't sure if I could ever go back, and that's one of the main reasons I did. I felt the burn for DAYS after a single class, which made me feel like something was changing, physically. 

Through my love of barre, over the past few years, I still struggled with my relationship to fitness. Always, always, the end goal was 'be skinny.' I'd go through weeks of 'binging' on workouts, doing 7, 8, even 9 classes for weeks, then getting mega exhausted and not going back for weeks. If only I could work out twice a day, everyday, I thought,  I'd reach a certain point of physicality that I was happy with. 

It doesn't work like that. 

It wasn't until late 2017 I realized this, after having to take a break from exercising due to some health concerns and medical changes. Despite not exercising for almost two months (I walk 3 miles everyday for my commute, so that doesn't count), I didn't see any physical changes. After that two month break, I tried to get back into my workout routine, but would just go here and there, maybe once a week. 

This was during the same time I got some really bad news about a family member, which, combined with a few other things, caused me to feel extremely overwhelmed with sadness. There was no light, at all. I cried three times one weekend, and for someone who hadn't actually cried since Oct. 2016, that was a bad sign. It was a scary place to be and it lasted for weeks.

The point of sharing this much detail is to drive home my argument in this post that by retraining yourself to think of exercise as a part of your wellness routine, or a form of treatment for your mental health, you will yield the most benefits. 

For me, especially during the several weeks of feeling very dark, making the choice to go sweat it out when all I wanted to do was stay in bed made a massive difference. The first few classes back were still hard- such as when I had tears in my eyes throughout an entire HIIT class and still left feeling awful.  However, just like drinking one green juice won't lower your cholesterol, one workout won't override all of your sadness. So you make the conscious choice to stick with it.

I kept going back, and doing the most intensive classes my barre studio offers, like kickboxing and HIIT. Slowly I started to feel better. I got a grip, I could think more clearly. I felt like singing and joking again. I'm signing up for more classes for fun (seriously), and not because I'm trying to force my body to look a certain way. 

It wasn't until I was forced to step back from my fitness routine that I saw how objectively problematic my relationship with exercise had been in the past. Along with taking my supplements, eating a vegan diet and journaling, regular, high intensity exercise is now something I view as self-care, vital to my overall wellness.

And now, it doesn't matter how many calories I burn (couldn't tell you, don't care), or how many times a week I go (I find that 3-4 is both manageable and really helpful), because I've completely rethought my definition of what it means to be 'fit.'

2018 SITUATION

#NEWYEARNEWME

Just kidding. That is ridiculous. I do find the beginning of the year an inspiring time, however, and I always think its so exciting how you have literally no idea where you will be in February 2018, August 2018, etc. So many unknowns juxtaposed with the intention of mapping out a set of goals or aspirations for your future is humorous to me. Fully acknowledging that anything can happen (reference), here are some things I'm looking forward to on the 2018 horizon:

• taking Swedish classes. or Norwegian classes. - a local college does this and I'm not sure which one I'll sign up for yet

• reading. more. - towards the end of 2017 I read a ton and learned a bunch. I can't wait to continue this

• spend money on sh*t that matters - aka travelling aka not on drinks at neighborhood Chicago bars surrounded by bros drinking bud light in cubs hats

• go to CONGO - or at least cement a firm POA for early 2019. Can't stop thinking about the rainforest

• have less stuff - I freaked out about minimalism in Jan 2017 and donated most of my clothing. My goal is to only have 40 items in my wardrobe this year...

• figure out how to make my big dream a reality

• be direct

• go to NORWAY - all I want to do is see Lofoten and spend a casual weekend in Bergen or Oslo is that too much to ask

My Privilege

I think it's incredibly important to acknowledge my own privilege and my own bias as I swim further ashore from the aspirational blog type of topics. 

I am a college educated, middle class female. I earned a Master's Degree. I grew up going to public school, but in the best public schools in my area. My parents strategically moved in an area that my brother and I could be 'in zone' for 'A' rated elementary, middle and high schools. Things were not perfect, but I never wanted for food, clothing, or shelter. My mom stayed at home as well, so we were always looked after. 

I LOVE to talk about how unbiased I am. How I am open to many ideas. What I should clarify is, I am extremely open minded when it comes to globalist ideas. My education, my love of history and how I learned very early own to be critical of society and to question the status quo, are ALL part of my own bias. All are also part of my privilege. 

Again, I recognize my position of privilege. My globalist bias makes me internally questioning and outwardly open. 

Are You Free?

This is what I've been thinking about for a couple of weeks now. Am I free? What does it mean to be free in the 21st century? 

Americans love to claim freedom as something they all inherently possess. Land of free, right? But what IS freedom? 

A basic concept and something that cannot leave my mind is that freedom means being able to exist, with basic human needs met, and able to pursue what makes you happy: whether that's something as extravagant as buying a boat, or as isolating as moving to the forest with little contact with others. Google defines freedom as the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

"Without hindrance or restraint" 

This brings me back to my question, are we free? Are we free in a country that we depend on our employer for healthcare? Are we free in a society in which young adults and their parents are forced to choose financial debt or forgoing opportunities for educational advancement? Are we a free society in which the poverty divide is so wide that some of our fellow countrymen & women cannot afford food for themselves and their families? 

When I ask these questions in my head,  I try to imagine the counter argument. 

"Should have worked harder in school to get a scholarship." "That's the price you pay for education." "Yeah they just need to work harder, hustle, get a third job." And what about healthcare? Have you ever thought about how you are dependent on your employer for your own health and wellness, that if you were suffering from a disease, chronic illness, or even had an emergency, that you were chained to your employer to gain access to health benefits?  Is that being free? Doesn't that qualify as "a hindrance or restraint?" 

People often change jobs, but rarely change countries. By now I'm sure you can see what I'm getting at, our basic human needs should be met by the government, not our employers. The private sector should focus on innovation and building up industry, not be tasked with sorting out PPO's and deductibles. 

Currently, my conclusion is that a society CAN be pro-business but also PROVIDE basic human needs. It repulses me that so many of my fellow Americans act completely heartless when it comes to the welfare and well-being of others. I find that people taunt this heartless 'survival of the fittest' type of attitude until they or someone they love is met with unfortunate financial or medical circumstances. Why not open up your eyes (and your heart) and realize that taking care of people should be a community investment, giving everyone an equal playing field, and letting them make choices from that starting point? 

I don't think telling someone to work three jobs is the answer. I think a government that supports its people, that gives people freedom to make choices based on something other than basic survival is what we need when we talk about government reform. No one should go in debt to afford an education, and no one should die because they can't afford healthcare. 

As I said, I'm still working this all out in my head, but right now, the conclusion I'm at is that we've got it backwards. We are not objectively free. Of course, compared to some places, we have things okay, even desirable, but land of the free we are not.

Again, still working this out in my head and I realize this stream of consciousness is a bit unorganized. I prefer to cite sources when I write but this is all coming from the head/heart in one fell swoop, so none of that right now. 

Why I'm Obsessed With the Danes

I feel like lately all I've been wanting to talk about is how amazing I think Denmark is, and how my 5 year goal is to move there (or somewhere else in Scandinavia). Thanks to the following two books, I've been reading a lot about the Danes and their philosophy.

Of course, I've long been fascinated with the civility, equality and happiness index scores of the Nordic Countries, but a few things I've learned from the above books that make me so obsessed are as follows: 

1) Equality for all. 
In Denmark, the tax rate makes all working citizens more or less "equal" as they are all taxed depending on three tiers of income. This means you find people less likely to discriminate against one another because of their occupation and wealth, which I love. Occupation and wealth do not equate to social status, and bragging about what you do or how much you have is seen in really poor taste. In "The Year of Living Danishly," she talks numerous times about how you you will find all types of people mixing in the same social circles, you may have a bakery worker, an executive and a garbage collector and it's natural. Similarly, because of the tax system- you'll find that everyone earns a livable wage and it's not uncommon to find people from all occupations living on the same street. I think this is amazing, because in the US we are so quick to judge one another for things like income, occupation and education. In Denmark- they are less concerned with what you do and how much you make and I think that is an important lesson we could all stand to learn. 

2) Free Education for all.
Thanks to the heavy tax rate in Denmark, University level education is free for Danish and EU citizens. For Danes, not only is it free, but students are incentive to go to college because the state actually pays them a stipend to attend. When I think about how many thousands of dollars in debt myself and some of my friends are because we wanted to pursue an education, it makes me ill. Education is a right, not a privilege, and Denmark has this down flawlessly. Because Danes don't go into crippling debt in pursuit of an education, they are more likely to study a field that genuinely interests them, and therefore graduate and take jobs that they really love and enjoy. How many times did you come across someone studying medicine or law "because they want to be well off?" What if we cold all study what we wanted, then work in the field we desired, and make an equal amount? I'd suspect we would have a much happier society. 

3) Hygge for all. 
Though no direct translation in English, Hygge means something along the lines of "the feeling when you are cozy, comfortable and secure." In the fall and winter, Danes "get Hygge" by lighting tons of candles (Danes are the world's #1 consumer of candles), drinking a comforting beverage (coffee, tea, etc.), relaxing with close friends or family, taking time to put together a delicious meal and slowing down. I implore you all to try to get hygge for a weekend. I've been doing this the past few weekends now and feel so much more CALM. Here's how I hygge- light candle (fall scented or tobacco scented, my favorite), make an espresso, lay by the open window with a good book, or, with some good music on while I take my time to prepare dinner, enjoying the process rather than rushing through. 

I could go ON (and probably will, my third book on this subject should be arriving any minute now...) but this is a good start. Up next, my Fall goal list, including visiting Copenhagen to get the authentic Danish expierence! 

Do What You Love- Practical Advice for any Millennial Raised an Idealist

“Do what you love.” “You can be whatever you want to be.” “Shoot for the stars.”

Often, my generation is criticized as having “special snowflake” syndrome, that is, the innate belief that you are different, and therefore more special, than your peers. I believe this is a result of our parents generation being more privileged than our grandparents, coupled with coming of age in the wake of the internet -where we’ve been publicly posting about ourselves and how unique we are since we were preteens.

My parents always told me phrases such as the aforementioned. They wanted me to embody the love they have for me in all that I do, and therefore did not want me to sell myself short, always believing I was deserving of better. This statement is not to knock my parents expression of love (and this type of mentality is a phenomenon realized in my generation of ‘millennials), but rather, to highlight the type of person this would make me — an idealist.

When told “do what you love,” I thought, I love history, specifically the French and Russian Revolutions. I love comparative politics. I love writing. So therefore I pursued a very liberal degree in History/PoliSci. I touched on this in my Grad School story, but this led me to be extremely ‘lost’ upon graduating college. How can I simply work an office job when I have been brought up to believe my starting line should be so much ‘ideal’ than what I was finding in “the real world?”

I have come to realize a few things about finding your “path” and why being an idealist can be detrimental to progress.

1. It’s less about title and more about what you get out of being there. For example, I thrive off of diversity and collaboration. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories, expanding my world view through the relationships I make. I also love collaboration and team work, seriously, few things pump me up more than being part of a team and working towards a common goal. I could never work isolated without any sense of connection or community. I found a position that allows me to work with new people all the time in an extremely collaborative manner. I learned to genuinely love my position through the fostering of those larger values that my job offers me.

2. Culture over everything. This is such a 2017 statement, but culture is important, it’s what sets the tone and it’s what keeps you happy to come back day after day. Culture can make the difference between doing the bare minimum and the all out maximum. Culture that implores you to want to give your all out maximum is integral to your personal career development, and I can promise you, you will be so much happier daily if your company culture aligns with your own values. (Remember, not everyone’s idea of an awesome culture is having access to candy & La Croix 24/7, you have to find what fits for you).

3. Macro patience, micro speed. A lesson from Gary Vaynerchuck that I’ve taken to heart and applied practically in more ways than one. Macro patience meaning- be in it for the long term. That career advancement, that large account, that financial return, that’s all macro- and you have to be patient in the pursuit of these things. Not idle patience, however, and that’s where micro speed comes into play- be fast and always in execution mode. Respond to people right away, make your wants known while doing the leg work it takes to see a return.

4. Diversify yourself. Simply having a job isn’t enough (unless it is for you). By diversifying yourself, you not only make yourself a more well-rounded human being, but also a more attractive candidate for future opportunities. So often I think people shift gears between college and the workforce, and they take a very binary approach to the two. You can actively learn new things in your 7pm-12am and on your weekends- taking steps to expand your own skill set. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to learn French, or perhaps you’ve been interested in learning how to code. Just because it isn’t specifically applicable in your 9–5, doesn’t mean it doesn’t serve an important place in your own personal development, and it’s important to foster that. (My “things” were perfecting my skills at Barre and writing)

For my fellow millennials, a mix of humility and drive are key factors in shifting some of the standards we were raised with and situating ourselves as contributing participates in the narrative of our future.

20 FACTS ABOUT ME

1. I HATE the heat. Hate it. Give me 20 degrees F over 70+ weather any. day. of. the. week.

2. I LOVE outerwear. Leather jackets, bombers, duster coats, parkas, etc. So fun.

3. I'm from Florida. Made me love the ocean and Caribbean food, hate the heat. See #1.

4. Tobacco is my favorite scent - but I've never smoked a cigarette in my life.

5. I love to read, but can't stand fiction. I like biographies, self improvement, psychology and sociology books.

6. It's been a journey and a half but I'm extremely confident in myself (for the most part).

7. Lofoten, Norway is currently #1 on my "list" of places to travel to.

8. Majority of my clothes are at least 4 years old. I don't shop very often and when I do it's for investment pieces that will add to my wardrobe.

9. I'm very much an introvert and get happy/energy from spending many days alone.

10. My family is all over the country, California, Georgia, New York and Florida, so moving away from home wasn't a huge deal, as I never had much family around.

11. With that being said, I'm closest to my little brother, and he's the most important person to me.

12. I'm Lebanese, Italian, and Irish.

13. I was meant to be named 'Anastasia,' but my dad thought that sounded 'too soviet,' so I was named after her mother, Alexandra Romanov.

14. My dad is a Vietnam Vet (the soviet comment makes sense now, right?). My family is heavily military with both grandfathers being WWII vets and being a member of the DAR.

15. I live for sunny, icy cold days.

16. I favor odd numbers and think of letters and words in terms of being 'odd' or 'even.' It makes no rational sense but I base many decisions on if something is 'odd' or 'even.'

17. The longest I ever ran was a 15k....and then I realized running is not for me.

18. The first thing I did when I turned 18 was register to vote.

19. I've seen Britney Spears in concert 4 times.

20. Fiona Apple, 'Criminal,' Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse version of 'Valarie,' and Talib Kweli 'Get By' are three of my all time favorite songs.

A New Direction

I didn't write a thing all of August. 

The main reason why - I didn't feel incredibly inspirational. It was kind of a tough month work wise, I was not taking care of myself health wise and of course the summer heat made me feel an unshakable cloud of sadness. I started to wonder why I shut myself out of my own website? After all, I pay monthly to host my site on the internet- not vise versa. Why should I feel ashamed that things were not perfect, that I wasn't living an aspirational month, that things are not always shiny and exciting? 

I critically reviewed my content and while I think it's quality - there has been an inherent lack of my own personality in my posts thus far. Afraid to offend or get too personal, I've kept things very surface level until now. 

Some of my opinions are polarizing. That's fine. They are opinions after all. I get passionately fired up about many things, most of them related to politics, and again, I am investing in this place on the internet, so why should I tread carefully around subjects that ignite me? 

I'm not saying this will turn completely political, (it will turn much more so, however), but that I'm no longer going to be 'afraid' to put my opinions on my own website (especially given they are all educated and well researched POV's, and I will admit it if ever they are not well researched) 

The name plays into this too, which I have changed to be more personal. I was hiding behind a pseudonym because I didn't want anyone from my professional life to find my blog. I've changed that, although I'm sticking with the 'Alexis' moniker, as I've always hated being called 'Alex' (you get tired of hearing strangers say "oh I was expecting a guy"). I'm professionally going to be sticking with Alexandra, a name that has taken me a while to love but whose meaning I personally resonate with (it means "defender of mankind"), and on my site, it's just Alexis. 

I'm excited for this change, and to be myself- imperfections and all. 

AWAKENING

September 11th 2011, I was 12 years old in middle school sitting in Home Ec (yes, seriously) class when the lights went out, literally and figuratively. This was in the very early days of kids having cell phones, maybe 2 kids in our whole classroom had a cellphone, and whispers of a "bomb" infiltrated the classroom. The teacher turned on the television for a moment and we saw what was indescribable in that moment, New York City under attack. She quickly turned it off and we continued whispering among ourselves. Then, the lights actually went out, as there was a random outage with the power grid despite being a sunny day. When the power came back on, the classroom phone rang and the teacher asked me to go to the front office as my mom was there to pick me up. All within the hour that the first tower was hit.

I was confused and saw my mom looking very worried and she told me to come with her to the car. Once in the car, she explained that the World Trade Towers had been "bombed" and that Aunt Michelle and one of our close family friends both worked in Tower 1. We went home and sat in front of the TV for the rest of the day, for the rest of the night as I woke up from adolescence. We talked and speculated as my mom called our family in New York. My aunt was on a business trip in Chicago, so she was safe, although she had not heard from several of her colleagues. Our family friend was one of thousands who ran down the stairs of the tower as it burned and was lucky to make it safely out. I remember listening intently to President Bush as he tried to make sense of these attacks and explain them to the public. I remember questioning the aftermath and what this meant for our reality, as I scribbled my disjointed thoughts in my diary, questioning when the inevitable war would take place, and wondering if my cousins would be drafted to fight this still faceless enemy. 

The word "terrorism" had never entered my vernacular prior to 9/11, but it infiltrated my reality from that day forward. 

I became a news junkie, a political junkie, and I still am. I remember listening to the song "What's Goin On" on repeat, for hours, as my 12 year old mind tried to make sense of what was happening in our world. I call this an awakening because prior to 9/11, my days were spent with dolls, books and filled with innocence, and in one day, or in actuality, a few hours, I was suddenly conscious of the realities of the world around me. My parents never shielded me from the news, even when they struggled to make sense of it themselves. The early 2000's were filled with a unique mix of patriotism, political disapproval (see 2003's announcement of Iraq invasion) and thirst for knowledge. 

By the time 2004 came around, I was 14 and in high school. Along with my best friend, I made t-shirts in support of "KERRY/EDWARDS" and was vehemently anti-Bush. In 2006, I volunteered for multiple political campaigns as a 16 year old, unable to vote but hoping to inspire my teachers and my friends. I worked John Edwards events that my mom would drive me to around Orlando before moving to the Obama for America campaign in late 2007. Immediately upon turning 18, I registered to vote, and will never forget standing in line with my mom as we voted for Obama. It still gives me chills to think about the fervor that surrounded us in line, with every single person in our vicinity there for the same reason- to vote for hope and change. 

If you know me, you know I am never short of opinion on politics, and am addicted to the world around me in terms of global affairs. I have to know what's happening and I use my education in the field to try to make sense of what is going on to the best of my ability. 

September 11th is a day that completely changed the United States, and is a day I so vividly remember being my first entrance into the 'real world,' arming me with an unshakable political consciousness at the cost of my adolescent innocence.  

I will never forget that day, those images, those people directly affected and those who risked their lives in the immediate aftermath. 

JOY IS MY COMPASS

Happy Friday!

Last night I attended an event at Nike downtown for Air Society Chicago. I'll admit, until this week I wasn't sure what Air Society even was. But thanks to some insta-stalking and consulting with my bff (and the most put together person I know), Victoria, I learned Air Society is a community for women interested in fitness, wellness and mindfulness, meant to support each other through inspiring events throughout the city. 

The event featured a panel by three Chicago fitness and health guru's Kate Lemere, Dawn Jackson Blanter and Carla Jian Primero. They discussed everything from time management, to knowing what diet works for your body and staying focused on your goals.

One of the best bits came from Dawn, who said that above all else, her philosophy is "Joy is my compass." She explained that if she lets what brings her joy and happiness guide her decisions, she can't go wrong. According to Dawn, this isn't a selfish way to live, because it ensures in each venture she decides to give herself to, she is presenting her most vivacious and best self. I took so much inspiration from these three fabulous girls, but this unique idea of "you would be way more successful if you had more fun" stuck out the most. 

Vibing high, I composed a brief list of some of the things at the true north of my Joy compass. 

• Spending time with my dog, Luna.

• Listening to music all of the time.

• Being either blonde or dark, espresso brown.

• Having my lashes freshly done

• Lighting candles

• Having a clean, decluttered space

• Being in nature

• Writing - like this! Everytime I start on a new blog post I get lost in it.

• Having my nails nicely painted.

• Taking really long walks along the lake front.

• Seeing movies alone.

• Honest and true friendships (so many of these for which I am endlessly thankful!)

• Going dancing, but not trying too hard. Like, sneakers in the club type of thing.

• Getting lost in a good book.

• Wearing leggings.

• Travelling- being in the airport, getting there, exploring a new or familiar place again, all of it.

• Eating outside at unpretentious patios.

• Being there (bringing value) for my colleagues and clients.

• Swimming

• Being focused and completing projects (such a challenge for me but makes me so happy once done)

• Having very spontaneous and unstructured days off (for weekends or vacation).

One of the tips that was given was to add a calendar reminder or alarm on your phone that reminds you of how important the act of finding joy is. I plan to implement this immediately, adding reminders that say "is what you are doing bringing you joy?" and "goals don't work unless you do" etc. 

It's been a really overwhelming few weeks for me, and I have absolutely become victim to getting lost in the fodder, not being mindful of what will actively bring me joy. Hearing from the girls at Air Society CHI was a much needed breath of fresh air (no pun intended). 

For more information about Nike Air Society Chicago, check out their website here:  https://www.nike.com/us/en_us/e/cities/chicago/nike-air-society-chicago

28 Things I've Learned in 28 Years

I'm turning 28 on Wednesday, July 19th. Some people let age and getting older trip them up, but I've never really cared. I feel like the older I get, the more confident and comfortable I will be, so it's never freaked me out. What's more, I'm excited for the future and am thankful for each new day I am given.

Was doing some reflecting and compiled a list of 28 things I have learned (both big and small lessons). Those things are: 

1. You'll never regret a workout.

2. Speak kindly to yourself, always.

3. Immediately interrupt negative, toxic thoughts with positivity.

4. When apartment hunting, location is always more important than size or amenities.

5. Weekends spent completely alone after a lot of activity are vital to recharging.

6. Eat your dark, leafy greens every day.

7. Consistent exercise is the best remedy for depression.

8. Prioritize travel over things.

9. Everything is temporary- you can make it through anything because nothing lasts forever.

10. As much as I love my social, put away the phone and be completely present sometimes.

11. Provide value first.

12. The ocean heals all and has the power to completely reset you.

13. Dancing does something pretty similar.

14. It's important to have goals, but it's much more important to have a plan.

15. Ask for help when you need it, and offer help when it is needed.

16. Always be in execution mode.

17. It's more important to be happy than to be the best.

18. Just because you used to define or associate yourself with something, doesn't mean it holds any relevance in your present.

19. Don't make decisions based on who you used to be.

20. You cannot change people's political or religious beliefs. Don't try.

21. Approach all situations from a standpoint of empathy, first.

22. Cluttered closet = cluttered mind. Get rid of it.

23. Above all - be genuine and authentic.

24. If you are working for the weekend, you are doing it wrong. Get out and find something new.

25. Accept no superficial relationships.

26. Never rush a trip in order to check things off of a list. Slow down and savor your surroundings, you can always go back.

27. Investing in things that can simplify your life is always worth it.

28. I have inside me all of the power I need to create the life I desire.

So there you have it 28 things I've learned in the past 28 years. Do any of these lessons apply to you? What are some of your favorite lessons? 

PROTECT YOUR ENERGY

I'm kind of a hippie. 

Not in my aesthetic or style but in how I approach my life philosophy. I believe, strongly, in energy and the power of the mind. I believe in the power of perception, and that we attract the energy we put out into the world. You may not agree, but this is my form of 'religion' (in terms of being my system of faith).

On a daily basis, we are thrown thousands of micro situations and circumstances. We are constantly consuming content, encountering people of all mindsets, and are often left a little less 'zen' at the end of it. I wanted to share a few of the things I do to find my chill when I feel like I've got too much going on and have lost focus or am not centered. 

1) Reconnect with your AURA: In layman's terms, remember who you are. For me, the things I conjure up when I have lost focus are the 'themes' that to me, define my natural energy and aura. These things are, the ocean, both rough, rocky and cloudy, and calm, deep and still; cold air and fog; deep emerald forests; serene evergreen; the wind when you are on a boat and swimming in open water. I also think about things like how many billions of people are in the world, cuddling my dog, and feeling empathy towards others.

These things, conceptually, make me feel like myself, and referencing them when I am feeling drained or bogged down by my city and immediate surroundings helps me to get back to my state of being. 

2) Be Intentional About Your Actions: How often do you go through an entire day and come home feeling like you didn't take away anything, or perhaps that you were just 'going through the motions?' Times like that when I feel so robotic lead me to feeling purposeless...which drains me and depletes energy. To recalibrate and be intentional, I write out not only what I want to do or accomplish, but how I want to feel. I often tell friends that they need to 'channel the feeling' and 'embody what they desire.' Rather than saying "I need to follow up with my client," say "I have followed up with my client, and I am relieved because of how positively the conversation went." So with this- you must BE where you are. Channel the feeling of a positive interaction or outcome, and then reach for that feeling when you are actioning that intention. 

3) Learn Something New: When I feel depleted, bogged down and overwhelmed, my energy suffers. Often times, my energy suffers because I feel a loss of control. Something that helps me get right back into a positive state of being is taking on a new challenge and learning a new subject. For the past couple of months I went to the bookstore by my house every weekend, pursuing the aisle of the business section, marketing, biographies and history to feel inspired by a new subject. I was feeling a disconnect from myself (see, reconnecting with your aura), and knew that by learning something new, I could get back on track. The 'new' thing that I settled on was learning how to build a website and starting this blog. I feel jazzed every time I open up my analytics, and am thrilled with the opportunity to learn about web design more in depth as time goes on. It's invigorated me and helped me feel so much more like myself. 

4) Get a Crystal:  I've been known to carry around crystals (and give them out to friends in need) - not so much believing in their power as an inanimate object, but rather, as a symbol to focus on and affirm what I want to attract in life. Simply, the crystal for me is an icon of opportunity to take control and protect my head space. Last Summer and Fall I went through some dark days, and would walk to work every morning rubbing a crystal in my hand and repeating positive intentions about how I wanted the day to go. I would hold it while I made calls, and would buy them for my friends because of how much having an object to focus my thoughts on and use as an icon of manifesting my desires with did for me. I call this crystal power, or my "low key crystal practice". I mean this very light heartedly, but it did help and it does help whenever I feel that I have strayed from center. 

So those are a few of the strategies I use when I feel that my energy is off balance and I need to re channel my true self. Over the year, you go through ebs and flows, and for me, it's always important to acknowledge these peaks and low points and then take action to overcome anything that is causing me to feel as if my aura is not as it should be.