The grace of a gentle restart
Choosing a low-pressure path can help us lighten that heavy sack of "shoulds."
It’s been a busy week in our house. We’ve had a big work project coming to a close, and spring break ended, so finding a new “normal” has been a bit of a challenge. I found myself actively trying to follow my own advice and remembering that there’s no “right way” to do most things and that as long as everyone is healthy and safe, things are okay.
Does that mean it’s easy to let go of all the “shoulds” I carry around like a bulging sack of rocks? Um, nope. But I am aware of it, and that’s a start, right? Sometimes I’m even able to recognize something that I can put down and stop worrying about. It’s a slow-going process full of all kinds of twists and obstacles. Fun stuff, really, like a roller coaster that is in desperate need of some maintenance.
Finishing up our spring break and trying to get the kid re-motivated for school has had the concept of transitions heavy on my mind lately. It’s something we, as a neurodiverse household, all struggle with. I was very conscious of that when the first Monday back to school came around.
We tried to ease the kid in the best we could with a low-stress, low-pressure first day where we focused on “life skills” and ran a few errands, including shopping for a new pair of shoes for him. It worked even better than expected; there were no meltdowns, and no complaints about getting back into a more structured routine.
It reminded me that doing things at our own speed is not only okay but necessary. We could have just started the week with a load of worksheets and projects to hop back into, but that would have been incredibly counter-productive for absolutely no reason. We got to skip the period of frustration and overwhelm and just gently restart.
That’s how every Monday should feel, yeah?
Wishing you all a gentle restart for your next week ahead.
Stay kind. Stay curious <3
Nikki
Do you ever wonder why you feel a burst of motivation or creativity on a Monday, or the start of a new month?
In my latest article, I explore the fresh start effect, the science behind our brain’s love for a mental reset. It’s the tool that allows us to divorce ourselves from past mistakes and start again with a little more hope and optimism and a little less baggage and shame.
Hey Look! A cool plant!
The Air Plant
(Tillandsia)
Why it’s cool: Air plants are the ultimate "low-demand" companions. They don't need soil to thrive; they gather all of the moisture and nutrients they need from the air through tiny vessels on their leaves called trichomes. They are masters of making a home anywhere. Without needing deep roots, they simply lean into what’s available, clinging to bark, bare stone, or wires.
The lesson: Sometimes, we feel like we can't grow because we don't have the right environment or a solid foundation beneath us. The air plant reminds us that we can find nourishment in the invisible spaces. Even when it feels like there’s nothing there, you’re still breathing, still absorbing, and still alive. You don't always need a massive overhaul to survive; sometimes, just existing in the space you're in is enough.
Some things I found interesting and thought you might too
Trees emit organic compounds called phytoncides to protect themselves, but when we breathe them in, they actually lower our cortisol and boost our immune system.
Science shows that being near “blue space” (water) triggers a mild meditative state in our brains, helping us shift out of fight or flight mode.
Research shows that hearing aids can reduce your risk of death by almost 25 per cent. I assumed it was a safety thing. It’s not.
You’ll never get bored when you try something new. There’s really no limit to what you can do. — Dr. Seuss