It’s easy to get stuck in a rut of doing things the same way every day. But the more you stimulate your brain with change and novelty, the more flexible and creative your brain gets.

Keep your creative mind on its toes by reading new books, trying different foods and places to eat, even trying different routes through your neighbourhood.

Switching up your usual routines will stimulate your mind and get you thinking about new possibilities and approaches to life.

Fall is a perfect time to shift gears and establish nourishing habits for this new season. One key practice to get in the habit of is starting the day with centering. This will help cultivate the space you need for your inspiring ideas to flow through. This could be a simple practice such as sitting on your meditation cushion or by an alter, wearing a prayer shawl as you pray and meditate, or simply looking out and observing nature “waking up”. It could also mean some gentle or vigorous exercise, listening to a motivational talk, or reading something inspirational.

Lay of the Day

Then it’s always good to orient yourself to the day ahead and set out your intentions for how you would like it to unfold, and what qualities or attitude you would like to bring. Whatever you put on your to-do list, let it be action steps aligned with your true values, and include self-care (preferably at the top).

Time is precious, and should be held with tenderness, rather than something you feel you have to “kill”, or “spend”. Time is also very consistent, with the same number of seconds in a minute, minutes in an hour, and hours in a day (except for daylight savings of course). So, choose consistency over urgency in how you spend your time. What would you like to have time to create?

Make a List or Two

Finding balance takes a little creativity, and true alignment. You will flourish as you nourish your spiritual well-being with simple practices that ground you, create more openness, and give you more energy to support all the tasks on your list. A new list to consider making is your “to-be” list. How would you like to be in your life? How would you like to express your uniqueness? What would your day look like then?

Now take your “to be” list and place it alongside your “to do” list. Do the items on your “to-do” list support the person you want to “be”? What can you shift to bring it all (or at least some of it) into alignment? Balance comes from living your truth.

Take A Break

During the day, it’s essential to take breaks to re-group and center again. This could be sipping your favorite beverage, enjoying a nourishing meal, taking a walk, or going for a run. Maybe even just sitting on a bench. People often use breaks to catch up on correspondence, the latest news and numbers, or run errands. Consider what is most nourishing and productive for you, and make sure it lines up with the lists you created.

For a true break, or a more extended one, consider a day or weekend retreat. Perhaps even longer. You can create this yourself, or sign up for one that has already been organized. Retreats are well-known for relaxing, rejuvenating, and deepening your practice. Retreats strengthen your spirit and you experience more peace as you create this sacred time. Consider scheduling yourself a creative retreat!

Turning In

At the end of the day, as you prepare for sleep, create a simple practice that allows you to complete the day. This doesn’t imply you have to rush to do everything you had planned for at the beginning of the day, instead acknowledge yourself for what you were able to accomplish and be okay with what didn’t get done. As you surrender, you create space to process, rest, and sleep. Recollect and relax. This is a time to wind down, settle in, and turn in. Although the term “turn in” appeared first in the 17^th century to “go to bed”, I believe it carries a much deeper meaning, such that it’s a time to turn inwards.

This is when you can set the intention to quiet your soul. Keep your mind calm and clear, and rest.  What can you do to create good conditions for that? Perhaps turning off any screens an hour or two before bed? Journalling, doodling, or coloring? Mediation? Cleaning and tidying up so you have a “clean slate” in the morning?

Mindfully close the curtains or blinds, switch off the lights, and gather what’s needed for comfort and rest. Bedtime yoga may be useful to unwind and prepare your body for sleep. Again, choose a simple practice that nurtures, heals, and supports your well-being, without trying to incorporate “everything”. Choose one practice to start with, then give others a try to see what feels and works best for you.

Whatever you choose, give yourself time to practice fitting this in so that it eventually becomes a natural part of your daily routine.