FOMO no mo.

We’re riding the coattails of another full supermoon. In this season of transition, things are moving – quite literally. The wind that blows in this region is amplified by our proximity to the Columbia River Gorge. Big gusts that make me nervous, especially after an icy, blustery winter storm that took a large limb off a tree next to our house a couple years back. This sort of whooshing movement also replicates in my mind and body. While Ayurveda teaches us that this is a season to slow down and preserve our energy, I have this odd inclination to produce. I’m wired to feel that down time is something I can use to my advantage – conceptualize new workshops and classes, make connections, organize the house, the yard. I feel like I need to take advantage of this time or it will have been a waste.

You know FOMO? (a.k.a. fear of missing out) I don’t experience it like I did in my 20s where I had to go out for every happy hour, run in as many races as I could, and be one of the last to leave the party. Now it looks like this funny, homebody version of FOMO. I’m fine not running myself ragged, but I still find that nagging spirit of get-it-doneness. Like, all of it. But it never all gets done. So what’s my deal? And why is it particularly hitting during a time of year that doesn’t make sense? Come to my next workshop – The Vata Season and Why You Feel Like a Dry, Flighty, Crazypants! (joke. That is not a workshop I offer. yet. Why? You interested..?)

As a person given praise over the years for her drive and independence, I sometimes think there’s something psychological there. Like, if I accomplish things when others are winding down, I’ll achieve …something (respect? notoriety? appreciation?). I'll have the idea and will implement it first. I’ll be informed before anyone else. I won’t, well, miss out. Damn, that’s a lot of pressure.

So what does it look like to consciously and mindfully flip the usual script? For me, it’s giving in – not in a “thrown in the towel” kind of way – rather an allowing, a sense of ease, a release on the pressure valve. It’s not automatic for me and that’s okay.

Alright then.. **rubs hands together** ..here’s what I’m gonna try this season. You ready? (Am I…?)

• I will noodle on ideas, concepts, offerings – organically, without scheduling the noodling in my calendar, without a deadline. (My pulse is already rising. I put nearly every task in my calendar.)

• I will take the home projects one at a time – as opposed to lumping everything into one weekend, only to feel disappointment when I don’t magically have the time or energy for a whole-house/yard project.

• I will continue to lean into my self-care and daily rituals. This is one I can wholeheartedly get behind, because I already foster it. Ayurveda has given me invaluable tools that bring balance when I feel wonky. (I can’t tell you how crucial a simple tongue scrape and warm lemon water are as soon as I wake up. For real, game changer.) The one thing I want/need more of is to quiet my mind, and I really want to get back into regular meditation practice. The no pressure part comes in the “how” – bit by bit, no time goal, no sitting still goal, no goal.

Funny how, as I wrote this, I received confirmation of a new yoga class that I’ll get to teach in the coming weeks. I’m honestly pretty excited for it. It will create a free option for people in the community to practice yoga on a consistent basis. Yay accessibility! And it coincides with another class I already teach on the same day. Yay for not spreading myself thin!  I can serve my community and stay connected – without sacrifice, without pressure. Taking on what feels good and doing my darndest to not take on more for the sake of hitting some mark. Baby steps, my friends. 😊