Greetings from the high seas. (Never thought I’d be saying that!)
This season’s tours have taken me to northern California, the Colorado mountains, and I’m lucky enough to say that my “job” for the week I’m writing this is to perform on a cruise ship, and suffer through all the wonderful cruise amenities in my time off. With no plane to catch or packed itinerary, I have had the chance to sort through some of my thoughts on maintaining emotional wellness, a topic that is more relevant for me this year than ever before.  

Anxiety, worry, racing thoughts, brain-lock, depression, moods, “lows” … however you choose to reference your mind’s tendencies, it’s safe to say that all of us have experienced one or more of these. Some of us seasonally, some weekly, and others minute-to-minute. I’ve written about my personal challenges throughout this blog, particularly with regards to my life of travel and creativity. My goal is to not only offer kinship in the hardship, but also to share anything I’ve found or developed to be helpful. My intent with posts like this is to not only bond over the shared experiences, but also help each other forward. 

2019 has been an exciting and also a very challenging year for me, and maybe for you too. I have used all of the aforementioned words to describe my emotional health at some point, which led me down a path of research (books, podcasts, therapy, etc ) in an effort to make an [already crazy] life of travel more manageable and enjoyable. I hope to share more specifics of my experiences this year at some point in the future, but for now I’d love to share some of my daily devices for staying emotionally grounded, positive, and more peaceful.  

NOTE: I’ve found the strategies below to be a little more attainable in daily life than full-on meditation. The practice of complete mental quiet is still difficult for me, and often requires more time than I have. I plan to keep working at it, but, for now, think of these as “meditation light” or “mindfulness for dummies.”  I originally developed them to manage life on the road, but they’ve now become a part of my daily routine. Some days are easier than others, but I can vouch for their effectiveness.

Rapid-Fire Gratitude

I practice ‘Rapid-Fire Gratitude’ for about 30 seconds daily. First introduced to me at a wellness workshop in Nashville, ‘Rapid-Fire Gratitude’ is saying ‘thank you’ for anything that comes to my mind, as quickly as you can. (I also happen to pair it with a cold shower, ice bath, or plunge in a cold body of water, but this is totally optional, and admittedly a little crazy.)

For me, it usually sounds something like this: 

“Thank you for this day, thank you for the ability to feel this water, thank you for working limbs, thank you for crisp air, thank you for last night’s show, for my band mates, for our hosts, sunshine, the trees around me, good food, safe travel, etc…”

This short process can completely change my outlook on the day.
Skip the cold plunge and set aside 30 seconds brushing your teeth or in the shower to try it out. You may be surprised where your brain travels, or which names and circumstances arise from within that you wouldn’t expect to feel grateful for.

Mantras

Often during journaling or my gratitude practice, a phrase or idea presents itself that sticks with me throughout the day, like opening the door to the process stirs up some inner wisdom. A sentiment spills out as if I were advising a friend or mentee, and it’s usually exactly what I need to hear. Here are some of the ones that have risen recently. Pick one that calls to you or see what your inner helper offers you.

These are most effective with eyes closed and a few deep breaths: 

• Allow it to be. 
• Yesterday doesn’t exist.
• You are free to enjoy this life, in any way you choose.
• Stress is just resisting what is.
• Trust this process.
• Savor this day.
• Just. Keep. Going. 
• We’re here. We’re here together. 
• I chose this life. 
• Everything goes away. (- Liz Gilbert) 
• Today will be gone tomorrow. 
• Worry is imaginary.
• You are still here. 
• Today is a perfect Day 1. 

Affirmations

Different than mantras, affirmations are to be said specifically to yourself. My more existential reading has taught me a little about consciousness and the ability to observe ourselves and our thoughts. So, pretend like you are the observer, or the “witness self” who oversees all the brain chatter. I try to speak from a more peaceful core to the exterior person I (you) see in the mirror. That person is having to navigate life’s challenges with a brain that won’t always cooperate. Have some compassion for the person you see. 

To be said in front of the mirror, preferably out loud, but in your head is okay too. (For me it’s often at the gym): 

You are beautiful. 

You have nowhere to go but forward. 

You wouldn’t be here if you couldn’t handle this.

You are strong. 

Your heart is pure.

You are resilient. 

You are free.

You are on the right track.

You are doing your absolute best. 

You are a gift. 

We got this. 

Manifesting 

Pick something you want to be true in the future, and talk about it as if it’s happening. I have more on this idea on deck in my next few posts, but I am convinced that this works. Whether you believe in a higher power shaping our journeys, or that it all comes from within us humans, there’s no doubt that speaking as if things are already true creates incremental changes in our day-to-day actions that produce results. It may be as little as shifting the worlds “If I..” to “When I…” 

It may feel uncomfortable at first, but if you’re really serious about it, it will feel exciting. Some of my past manifestations included:

“When I tour internationally…” 
“When I move to Nashville” 
“When I start my blog…”

One More

One last little strategy before we go. When quiet moments arise throughout the day (getting in the car, sitting down to lunch, or waiting for an appointment), I do a couple of these to let things settle: 

Deep breath in: “I am”
Deep breath out: “at Peace” 

More reading suggestions below.
Peace to you all, drriifters. 

Diana 💙🌏💨

More Helpful Reading:

• “The Untethered Soul” – Michael Singer
• “Being of Power” – Baron Baptiste
• “A New Earth” – Eckart Tolle
• “First, We Make the Beast Beautiful” – Sarah Wilson
• “Stop Thinking, Start Living” – Richard Carlson