1. Clearing the energy of a place:
a - emotionally cleansing
In what ways can we change the emotional atmosphere in a space?
- laughter yoga
- sentimental curios, meaningful decorations
- photos of friends and family
- aromatherapy to cultivate a mood or ambiance
- painting the walls an atmospheric colour for mood
- mood lighting.
- having good experiences in the space, creating new positive memories.
- playing music
b - physically cleansing
What can we do with cleaning products and elbow grease to improve the space?
- call on the power of air when you dust and sweep, and use scented products
- call on the power of water when you mop, wash the linens, and while you spray, scrub and wipe surfaces,
- call on the power of earth when you move furniture around for feng shui, and when you sprinkle salt or herbs in or around your space
- call on the power of fire as you light candles or other mood lighting, and let the sunlight in. You might also want to send up a prayer of gratitude or supplication, and decide on items to re-home by gifting or donating.
c - mentally cleansing
How can we change the way we think and speak in our spaces?
- physically decluttering can clear up mental space
- creating a meditation or yoga altar
- creating a reading nook or study space
- creating a studio or project area
- leaving sticky note affirmations and prompts for yourself.
- or by hanging cute inspirational signs
d - setting an intention
How do you want to consecrate your space?
- playing live music with an instrument
- creating sacred space by calling on higher powers or energies.
- intimacy with loved one(s)
- create something for your space - a mural or tapestry
- share a meal with friends
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2. Letting go of the past and attachments:
a - emotionally cleansing
- Handwashing is a way to symbolically tell yourself that you are finished with one item in the emotional salad spinner and need to focus on the next.
- Crying is a cathartic release and the salt water of tears can be cleansing.
- Cord cutting ceremonies like Handparting rituals or even just a small spell where you cut a piece of rope or string to symbolically represent your release from the attachment to the person or habit in your life, can help you to emotionally discharge.
What are some other cleansing exercises you can do when you are feeling an intense emotion? How can you apply these to triggers around past events, circumstances that feel beyond your control, or unhelpful relationships, addictions, and so on?
b - physically cleansing
- Taking a ritual bath is a way to wash off the heaviness and have some time to yourself to really process what's been going on. Watching the water circle the drain and go out can also help to signal to you that what's done is done and it's time to move on.
- Doing the laundry can symbolically represent that you are done with the "old dirt" or baggage that you've been carrying, like wearing other people's problems as your own.
- Getting dressed up nice, putting on clothes that make you feel really good and confident, applying essential oils, cologne or perfumes, perhaps makeup or even getting your hair trimmed or styled, are ways in which you can say to yourself that you are ready for something new.
- Going through old mementos and papers, and throwing out anything you don't really need or want to hang on to, can be uplifting. Donating nick-knacks to a thrift store, or even tearing up photographs, burning letters you may have received that bring up old wounds, and giving away movies or albums you'll never play because of the nostalgia of them, are all valid ways to purge memory triggers.
What are some of the other ways in which you can address your own readiness to release and move on, physically? Are there any you would not be willing to do, and how do you soothe the part of yourself that doesn't want to, and enable yourself to take the step?
c - mentally cleansing
- Journaling your thoughts can help get them out of your head and lessen the amount of attention they demand.
- Talking to a trusted friend about your willingness and readiness to move forward in a new way can help you have accountability for change.
What are some of the other mental tools we have to overcome what we feel stuck with? How would you tell a friend to best use these tools if they were in the situation you are in?
d - setting an intention
- Make a SMART goal around changing your habit, relationship, or thought loop,
- look into different ways to make good habits or break old patterns such as James Clear's suggestion in Atomic Habits: (paraphrasing) Make your triggers invisible, the habit unattractive, the process difficult and the outcome unrewarding.
- replace things you don't want with things you do want, and associate new things with things you already do and want to continue.
- Try making yourself a contract that has consequences and timelines.
How else can we work with intentions to take a new path?
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3. Purifying when there's mud on your spirit:
If someone has been toxic to you, or you've been self-destructive, there is still lots of opportunity to purify. Maybe you feel guilt or shame, or just gross in general. I would love to hear your thoughts around the processes you use or have heard your friends are using!
Let me know in the comments, how would you go about...
a - emotionally cleansing
b - physically cleansing
c - mentally cleansing
d - setting an intention
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I'd love to hear from you!
♥ Jacki