NON- NEGOTIABLES - WHAT ARE YOURS?

Having a routine to stick to can be dead boring and keep one feeling like they’re in a rigid, structured, too-tight container. This IS true when the routine has been imposed on you and not created by YOU. I’ve realised this in my many incarnations with being self-employed and my own boss over the years, that having a routine and some discipline is where Freedom and Self -love actually lives..

For far too long I felt restricted in the rat race of eat, sleep, shit, work then repeat with the only joy in between involving some form of Numbing from reality rather than Experiencing Reality - things like drinking, overeating, netflixing and scrolling on socials, all take you away from life rather into it.

I know it is because of the lack of Joy and en-JOYment of one’s life circumstances, when we feel stuck in a program of just surviving and not really living, then the ‘living ‘ part are all actions that contribute to disassociation, avoiding our feelings or just straight numbing out of life.

Only recently, since the last 3 years back in the mother land -my mothers land- my home in Dahab, have I started to fully develop a routine of Non-Negotiables that serve me well and keep me balanced in the Yin and Yang and moving towards one new goal I’ve set, also very recently…

What are Non-Negotiables?

These can be any meaningful activities done intentionally upon waking up that put your mind, body and spirit in the best possible state so that you can face the day and the darkness that too often clouds our days, especially lately. Often a combination of small things that leaves you with good feelings, focus and a sense of self-worth as you’ve respected your own boundaries. Non-Negotiables are different because they are something you can and do commit to wherever you are, like portable practices, whether you’re on the move, on holidays or not in your usual comfort zone. Eventually they become part of your daily practice and rituals, of which you will miss if you skip a day or two!

For myself these consist of something like one or all of these:

1.) BREATHWORK AND/OR MEDITATION

The only way out is through, as they say…So for the best resilience I turn inwards and anchor onto spirit, through my breath and pranayama I always find my way back to source - call it God, Universal intelligence Allah or Mystic Mary. Starting the day meditating to observe the mind a little, finding some distance between myself and my thoughts, always creates space and is not something I have ever regretted spending time on. Combined with some conscious breathwork, I always feel more present and spacious afterwards.

2) MOVEMENT, YOGA, RUNNING OR DRUMMING.

Humans are made with these glorious bodies of ours to move, to shake to jump, to run, to climb, to undulate, to slither, shine and to move much more than the average human does these days.

When you wake, make the small effort to just 15 minutes of movement to feel the BIG rewards. We daily need to shift and shake out any stuck stuff within. The spine especially needs (and loves ) to reach, stretch, undulate, push-pull , pulse and undulate like our ancestors used to. Stop thinking about moving and actually feel your movements. Any movement for at least 15minutes will wake up the body to get the blood flowing and leave you feeling more fluid and less wood like. A lifetime Non-negotiable for me!

3) JOURNAL OR DRAW.

To process ones day or week is a necessity as soooo much can happen in the space of 24 hours -online and offline in this increasingly busy world - that sometimes I find I can get so lost in it, if I don’t process it through getting pen to paper and just blurting it all out…

If you prefer drawing, this can be equally just as good, as to draw or write is a physical act that grounds and anchors you into space time reality of NOW. To stop you circulating into the future and past constantly…

I always feel much more cleaner and clearer after a little morning journaling; kind of like clearing out the cobwebs of my mind.

Try 1 or all of these out for yourself and let me know how the rest of your day / week flows after committing to your beautiful soul-full self with your Non-Negotiables..

Feel free to share your own Non-Negotiables and journey below!