Melanie Collie
Capturing Stillness: Mindful Moments Through the Lens
"The creative process, like a spiritual journey, is intuitive, non-linear, and experiential. It points us toward our essential nature, which is a reflection of the boundless creativity of the universe."
John Daido Loori
MELANIE COLLIE
"Capturing Stillness: Mindful Moments Through the Lens"
"The creative process, like a spiritual journey,
is intuitive, non-linear, and experiential. It points us toward our essential nature, which is a reflection of the boundless creativity of the universe."
John Daido Loori
WEEKLY BLOG POSTS.
WEEKLY BLOG POSTS
Hate Christmas Hats?
At the risk of hate mail, I am not a fan of the stress that just one day of the year brings. I guess you aren't too, yet we repeat our behaviours year after year.
Christmas is just one day, and it doesn't change year after year. Its always the same date, yet so many are still not prepared for it. It is not the fault of Christmas that there is a lot of stress, worry, fear, anxiety, resentment and over spending and over eating going on.
Its a very interesting example of how human beings get caught up in putting on a mask for others because they are too scared to rock the boat , mainly because family are involved. God forbid we let a family member down by saying no, actually I'm not coming to lunch/dinner this Christmas/Boxing Day.
You do not even have to explain why or what you are doing instead - over explaining is a sign of dis-regulation, seeking validation, a struggle to be heard and people pleasing, trust me, I have most definitely been there.
Here is what you might be going through:
Perfectionist? Do you have a fear of not having the right colour scheme or the right crackers, or the right gravy or the matching plates or not enough mine pies. What would happen to you if you didn't accomplish perfection? Would the world end? Probably not externally but you might feel it had internally. Someone might not like you for not being perfect! People who are judging you for that are not perfect themselves, they are only showing you where they are in their lives right now, its a reflection of their own state of wellbeing.
You have more than enough to do, why are you giving yourself more? Saying no is a powerful thing to do, yet we fear it, because we look selfish or Scrooge like. We dont want to look as though we have lost control and saying no san sometimes feel like that. You are in control, of yourself and who you want to be with , not through fear but because you choose it.
Doing things that stress us often comes with resentment. Behind closed doors we are probably bad mouthing people, moaning, judging others, being critical, all because we cannot be true to ourselves. This is a reflection of ourselves. If you cant be nice about someone, notice why that is, do a worksheet on it, its truly eye opening. Heres the link to Byron Katies worksheet to start unraveling your mindset, you might start to like yourself a bit more:
Are you trying to be someone you are not because you think you " should" be? Notice the patterns emerging in your life, where do they come from? Learn to set boundaries, this takes practice, but it pays you back in so many ways, your future wellbeing will thank you.
How much of what you are doing is because of " tradition?" Tradition can make people sick and tired.
So , what are you going to do next year?
Building capacity to be able to handle what happens in life is one way to deal with this, especially if you don't feel ready to say no or don't have a rocket ship to fly to the moon to escape Christmas songs and Yule logs.
Building capacity can be a by product of a simple Somatic practice, for me it is one that I wasn't expecting but that's what has happened.
It is there for you too, should you jump in and practice these small simple movements often.
The other bonus prizes are:
Building capacity to cope with the bad days which can be gifts, because things happen for you, not to you. Took me along time to get my head around that one but it exudes gratitude.
Being able to be true to yourself without having to apologise or feel guilty
Saying no and realising that its not a bad thing. Saying yes and then resenting it plus bad mouthing those around you involved is a lot worse for your wellness and your relationship with others.
Knowing what you want, many of us don't actually know what we want, we are so disconnected from our feelings we actually have no idea- practicing self awareness really helps with this, as we get back in touch with our inner landscape.
Maybe its time to have a green Christmas, one that can be recycled, one that doesn't cost the earth and one that doesn't cost our health and wellbeing.
Mel " bah humbug" Collie
Heres a short video to help you slow down during a stressed out time and to practice all year because your nervous system is not just for Christmas.
Its called - take all the Time you Need.
Enjoy its simplicity ! x
Hate Christmas Hats?
At the risk of hate mail, I am not a fan of the stress that just one day of the year brings. I guess you aren't too, yet we repeat our behaviours year after year.
Christmas is just one day, and it doesn't change year after year. Its always the same date, yet so many are still not prepared for it. It is not the fault of Christmas that there is a lot of stress, worry, fear, anxiety, resentment and over spending and over eating going on.
Its a very interesting example of how human beings get caught up in putting on a mask for others because they are too scared to rock the boat , mainly because family are involved. God forbid we let a family member down by saying no, actually I'm not coming to lunch/dinner this Christmas/Boxing Day.
You do not even have to explain why or what you are doing instead - over explaining is a sign of dis-regulation, seeking validation, a struggle to be heard and people pleasing, trust me, I have most definitely been there.
Here is what you might be going through:
Perfectionist? Do you have a fear of not having the right colour scheme or the right crackers, or the right gravy or the matching plates or not enough mine pies. What would happen to you if you didn't accomplish perfection? Would the world end? Probably not externally but you might feel it had internally. Someone might not like you for not being perfect! People who are judging you for that are not perfect themselves, they are only showing you where they are in their lives right now, its a reflection of their own state of wellbeing.
You have more than enough to do, why are you giving yourself more? Saying no is a powerful thing to do, yet we fear it, because we look selfish or Scrooge like. We dont want to look as though we have lost control and saying no san sometimes feel like that. You are in control, of yourself and who you want to be with , not through fear but because you choose it.
Doing things that stress us often comes with resentment. Behind closed doors we are probably bad mouthing people, moaning, judging others, being critical, all because we cannot be true to ourselves. This is a reflection of ourselves. If you cant be nice about someone, notice why that is, do a worksheet on it, its truly eye opening. Heres the link to Byron Katies worksheet to start unraveling your mindset, you might start to like yourself a bit more:
Are you trying to be someone you are not because you think you " should" be? Notice the patterns emerging in your life, where do they come from? Learn to set boundaries, this takes practice, but it pays you back in so many ways, your future wellbeing will thank you.
How much of what you are doing is because of " tradition?" Tradition can make people sick and tired.
So , what are you going to do next year?
Building capacity to be able to handle what happens in life is one way to deal with this, especially if you don't feel ready to say no or don't have a rocket ship to fly to the moon to escape Christmas songs and Yule logs.
Building capacity can be a by product of a simple Somatic practice, for me it is one that I wasn't expecting but that's what has happened.
It is there for you too, should you jump in and practice these small simple movements often.
The other bonus prizes are:
Building capacity to cope with the bad days which can be gifts, because things happen for you, not to you. Took me along time to get my head around that one but it exudes gratitude.
Being able to be true to yourself without having to apologise or feel guilty
Saying no and realising that its not a bad thing. Saying yes and then resenting it plus bad mouthing those around you involved is a lot worse for your wellness and your relationship with others.
Knowing what you want, many of us don't actually know what we want, we are so disconnected from our feelings we actually have no idea- practicing self awareness really helps with this, as we get back in touch with our inner landscape.
Maybe its time to have a green Christmas, one that can be recycled, one that doesn't cost the earth and one that doesn't cost our health and wellbeing.
Mel " bah humbug" Collie
Heres a short video to help you slow down during a stressed out time and to practice all year because your nervous system is not just for Christmas.
Its called - take all the Time you Need.
Enjoy its simplicity ! x