Tending the Fire - On Showing Up With Intention
I just got back from a two-week vacation where I took an afternoon nap nearly everyday (not exaggerating). I don’t know about you, but I’ll take that as a *fantastic* introduction to the summer season.
I’m a big fan of connecting with the changing of seasons as a check-in point. A time to pause. A time to disrupt the cycle of what’s in motion, ask questions, and redirect as needed.
Not having segments throughout the year can be challenging. Through our time in school we become accustomed to built in breaks and starts/stops throughout the year. Without those, there’s potential for a “Groundhog Day” type phenomenon where our routines keep on keepin’ on and all the days start to feel the same. Maybe you can relate? This was especially true for me when I lived in the temperate climate of San Diego where seasons were more of a suggestion than a reality.
As we move toward summer, I’ve been reflecting on what I need and want. Exploring questions like: How do I want to feel over the next couple months? What do I want to lean towards? What about away from? What do I feel called to in this season?
Through this reflection, two intentions that will serve as a guide for my summer have emerged: Fun & Luxurious Lounging. These complementary intentions balance one another and can be integrated into my life as it is now. Having these intentions helps me show up mindfully and with purpose.
Read on for their vibe as well as tangible action items that bring them to life.
☀️ Fun (activation, engagement, adventure, joy)
Kayaking
Explore new restaurants
Morning hikes
Walk & talks with a peer about business development
Backyard hangs with friends
Try parasailing
Step away from the computer and brainstorm with pen and paper on new program ideas
Friends come to visit
Go to a baseball game
🌙 Luxurious Lounging (slow, calm, restful, guilt-free indulgence)
New fantasy book series
Backyard lunch breaks
Re-watch Bridgerton
Go to the movies
Write myself a permission slip to enjoy the slower summer pace of work
Try new cocktails/mocktails
Homemade popsicles
No sessions on Fridays
Quiet evenings by the fire
Naming intentions can provide us with a container and direction. When we identify small daily action items that bring our intentions to life, it helps us feel “successful” in how we’re showing up and engaging in our lives, which can sometimes feel hard to measure. I gotta tell ya, now that it’s named, I’m excited to step into all my fun and luxurious-lounging glory. 💃🏻
So, what about you, dear reader? What is calling to you this season? What are you leaning toward and what might you need to release? These questions and more are in the invitation section below.
Yours with much warmth… emotionally and weatherly,
Shannah 🤍
Nurtured Founder & Coach
Your turn! Let’s check in. The following questions are here as a way to tend your fire.
Remember, this doesn’t have to be a big time commitment to be helpful. If it feels good, put on a song, pick one question from the list, and noodle until the song ends.
What do I need over the next couple months?
What is calling to me? What do I want to lean toward?
What do I want to pull back from or release?
How do I want to be showing up?
Looking back at my responses to the above couple questions, two words/phrases I would use to describe my intention or guide for this season are ________________ & ________________.
Notice: Do these two intentions complement and balance each other? Or are they of a similar energy? If the latter, what revisions to them might be needed?
A couple small daily actions I could do in support of my intentions include: _______________, _______________, _______________.
ONE action that I will do TODAY to nurture my intentions for this season is: _______________.
Big bravo for taking a moment to explore, check in, and tend your own fire. 🔥 If you would like to have your responses witnessed, I would be delighted to receive them! Email me anytime at shannah@gonurtured.com
Would some camaraderie feel supportive as you connect with your intentions? Know that I’m here and would be honored to explore, embrace, and empower that which is calling.