Settling in, settling down, and settling up - plus a free webinar!
Settling in.
I am no longer living amongst cardboard boxes and packing tape. My wine glasses have a place, and my kitties’ tunnel is out for them to play!
I’m figuring out the new spots I tend to throw my shoes off after I get home and where my babies like to hide.
I found out that when I go down to my garage, my phone loses signal, and I have to tell my friends that I will call them back. Sometimes I have to turn my phone off altogether.
New space, new routine.
I’m settling into a new condo. A home. Through discovery and acceptance, my everyday movements are shapeshifting.
Settling down.
I cringe at the sound of settling down. To me, it sounds like (1) tone policing or (2) giving up fun. Neither of which I like.
But I have redefined this for myself.
For me, settling down means aligning with my true self. It means digging into my core to heal. It means observing my feelings and evaluating relationships—especially the one with myself. Whenever I take time to sit with myself through meditation, reading, journaling, and more, I feel more in line with who I am. And I quickly notice when I no longer feel connected. I get agitated, my shoulders tighten up, I apologize unnecessarily.
Feeling disconnected is quite unsettling. Instead, I settle down by returning to myself.
Now that the stress of the move is over, I have the space to return over and over. I am in full force with planning for my new podcast, MigrAsians. This podcast feels authentic. It combines my identity, my voice, and my love for connecting with others. I’m ready to pour my heart and soul into it because it is another way to return to myself.
I am more than four months into my daily morning meditations, (feel free to follow on my Instagram stories) and I am amazed at the clarity I receive. My distractions are there, but I don’t judge them. My mind wanders, but I can refocus instantly. I am present for myself because I know I am worth it.
I have started to journal again. I write down intentions, explore my wandering thoughts, and draw out my feelings.
All of this downtime makes me feel more settled on the inside: settled down.
Settling up.
I recently saw a post on social media that talked about how our parents were also growing while we were kids. This hit me hard. Now that I have more friends with children, I see how parenting is a life stage that brings its own challenges and joys.
I’ve long blamed my parents for so many things, as children do. But I can now look back and imagine how my parents were figuring it all out as well. Could they have done better? Sure. But they were never taught to self-reflect or heal their wounds. Their culture and society did not encourage this type of inner growth.
I feel like this realization is a form of settling up. I’ve said my peace a million times over to my mom after my dad passed away. I am settling up with my feelings, my disappointments, and my hopes with acceptance. I accept my feelings. I accept my disappointments. I accept my hopes.
They are all there right in front of me, exposed on a table. I stare at them with a sort of respect for my own process and a desire to settle up even more. It’s raw and humbling.
And last but not least….
2020: Setting Your Intentions - FREE Webinar
Please join me for a FREE webinar about setting your intentions for 2020!
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2019
Time: 10:00 am PST
This should last no longer than 45 minutes, and it will be recorded. Please register here!
Thank you all!
With love,
Nisha