Livin' La Vida Lockdown Day 23: When you can't go out - go in

Every word in this piece by Farrah Boulé speaks truth. To be with self - wholly and with no judgement is the only way to get through this somehow sane and intact. Everyone does it differently of course - some meditate - others pray - some chant - some process with words - or some, like me, do all of the above and more. But being in that space where you can just feel the feels and touch the light ( however dim that may be at times ) is pretty bloody important right now.

1. Do you need the perfect environment?
No you don't. That is the whole point - this is about going inside of yourself so location does not matter. You don't need a garden, the ocean, the mountains, a perfect view ( it would be nice of course ) but it is not essential or site-specific. You don't need accessories or a super stylised Boho Zen den either - just saying. Sit or lie down and breathe slowly - it often begins as simply as that.

2. So how do you do that in an apartment with no one to do it with you or remind you?
With intention and routine. Make it a priority. Forget about what it could look like in a perfect world. I lived in Bali - I could easily say I can't pray or meditate without 3 blessings a day, offerings and a temple ceremony - and yes at one time in my life I believed that. But as the years passed I realised this journey is not site-specific - it is best to adapt to your surroundings as they will always change in your life but what you can access inside of you will always be there.

3. Whats an easy way to slow down the inner panic right now?
I urge you to You Tube or Spotify some healing meditation music - I know, I know - but you will thank me. I don't mean the dolphin fart new age crap of the 80's I mean the stuff that is out there now. Have it going on in the background while you get through your day. It will just slow down your adrenals and after a number of days you will notice a calmness. By switching off all the noise and the news and the socials and the fear - you will start becoming a calm little bubble within a bubble ready to take on all the other bubbles. Search the terms healing, cleansing, frequency - there is a playlist for everything.

4. If I had to do just one thing to get calmer what would it be?
The game-changer - meditation. If you don't know how - now is a great time to learn how to decompress - your sleep and mind will thank you. If you are just getting into the meditation groove for the first time you can 'release the mantra' with Deepak Chopra who offers a 21 day program at the moment for free. There is also Headspace and Calm - who offer free trials and once again Spotify has loads of different guided meditations to try out.

5. What if I prefer to pray?
Log into any number of online meditations, rituals and prayers that are being live-streamed in real-time all over the world. There are so many ways to continue ritual and prayer. Do your own thing and whatever floats your inner world. Remember we have WiFi - it is life. There is a big wide world of wonderful stuff out there.

6. What is a comforting go to during the day when I just need to breathe a bit?
Chai and a journal - I know I have said this before but seriously write it out and while you do that just have a pot going on the stove of the spicy good stuff - it just warms the body and soul. Start with the staples - turmeric, ginger and then add all the spicy goodness. The house will smell epic and your inner realm will feel nourished. It will also help you do that other awesome thing that is good for you - nap.

So try to calm your farm folks, slow things down and feel the feels if you need to - we are in this for the long haul. The world is healing and so should we.

Peace.

🎬🎼 Farrah Boulé