A Soft Reset
For when it’s time to take a step back and reignite your spark
Hi my dear movers,
It’s been a while since I last wrote to you. April flew by in the blink of an eye, with moving into a new apartment and settling into a new city.
If you’re not following me on other platforms, you might not know that I’ve just moved to London! So these past few weeks have been a whirlwind. Like with any life transition, there have been both ups and downs. So much excitement for the newness, but also days where everything has felt a bit sticky and overwhelming.
Last Monday was one of those days. I realised I had put way too much pressure on myself to figure everything out at once, without giving myself the space to find a rhythm in this new season of my life.
My stress levels were high and everything felt urgent. My mind was running a mile an hour, and I felt this constant pull between having so much to do, but also not being able to do anything at all.
Having spent a lot of time learning about the nervous system lately, I recognised that I was currently finding myself in a stress response. Which made all the sense, with so much change happening at once. I have a lot of compassion for that part of me.
The nervous system often interprets change as a threat, and even though we really want something, it might not feel comfortable at first. So I figured it was time for a reset. To find my way back to myself - my energy, my calm, and my creative spark.
On Monday, I decided to put my to-dos to a minimum and dedicate a week to resetting my nervous system.
I know that taking a full week off isn’t realistic for everyone, but this can be adapted to what fits your life too. Whether it’s a day, a weekend, or small moments each day, it can still be so supportive to your nervous system and your overall wellbeing
My Nervous System Reset: The Full Rundown
One important thing to note is that this reset should not feel like another to-do list that you have to tick off. The idea is to fill your cup with things that nourish you, and to slow down the pace so you can come back to yourself.
The first thing I did was write a list of everything that makes me feel good. Not what I’ve read or heard is good for me, but what actually feels good. I also find it helpful to focus on one or a few things each day, so it doesn’t become too overwhelming.
On the first day, I chose a practice that I wanted to commit to every morning. My morning practice is what always sets the tone for the day, and consistency grounds me. I love The Daily Rest Studio, and the practice Creative Waters is one I keep coming back to in times where I feel a bit in a rut. I do it from bed in my pyjama, with candles and maybe a tea, to make it feel cosy and approachable. Then I finish with my morning pages, writing down any feeling, thought, or sensation that comes up. When I slow down, things tend to rise to the surface, so it helps to have a space to process it all.
I like to go back to basics when it comes to wellness routines. Stripping back and simplifying. I find it’s easy to get distracted in the world of wellness, as we are often sold one new idea after another. So I really dialled down on the simple things, like eating nourishing foods, going to bed a bit earlier, staying hydrated, and moving my body. I never push my body to move hard if I don’t feel like it, so it often looks like a slow yoga class, a walk, or some shaking in the morning.
My favourite practice when it comes to nervous system regulation is spending time in nature and noticing beauty. On the fourth day of my reset, I went to my local park for a walk, turning up my senses and taking in everything around me, from the flowers, to the trees to the smell of spring. It never fails to surprise me how much that feeling of awe and admiration shifts something within me and brings me back to the present moment.
On the fifth day of my reset, which was a weekend day, I was feeling a pull towards socialising. Having spent so much time in my own head over the last weeks, I was really craving a sense of community. So I met up with some friends in the park and played Bocce. I also think an important part of our wellbeing is to let go of routines and have fun. It does not have to be so serious all the time. Spending time with people who calm us and make us feel good can actually also help regulate us, which is called co-regulation. I think that’s a beautiful reminder too.
What This Reset Taught Me
I always come out of these weeks with tons of new inspiration, creativity, and insights about myself.
The first thing that struck me was how quickly my creativity came back. Only after the first two days, my ideas started to come through again. I know on a conscious level that we can access our creative flow state more easily when our nervous system is regulated, but this time I could really feel how it shows up in my body.
Slowing down can feel uncomfortable. Often, the things we have avoided come to the surface. I always remind myself that difficult feelings come when they are ready to be felt, so we can finally release them. Sitting with those feelings is hard, but it really is worth it when we come out on the other side with a sense of lightness.
I also got reminded that when we slow down, things start to open up. We begin to notice synchronicities and hear the whispers of our intuition again. Actually, more things happened in this week than in a long time, even though I slowed down the pace. Two opportunities came through that I had not expected. This felt like the sign I needed to regain my trust again, in life, in the universe, and in my own rhythm.
I find that these resets do not only help in the moment, but they always show me how I want to move forward. A slower pace. A more intentional rhythm.
Spring is a beautiful time for a reset, so I hope this might inspire you to do one if you feel called to, or simply spend some extra time tending to your nervous system.
Our nervous system is the foundation of all healing and expansion, so although slowing down might not always feel productive, it might be exactly what we need to move forward in a more aligned and expanded way.
Lots of love,
Maggie
Just what I needed to read tonight 🤍