On accident, I had my webcam turned on while sitting at the kitchen island. Front and center was my spectacular face, and in the background was the glowing Christmas tree, a cozy mantle, a brick fireplace, and the comforting touches of my mushroom blanket and large tropical plant. The backdrop through the wooden pocket doors was a picture of warmth and satisfaction. Yet, the blank kitchen wall behind my left shoulder seemed to cry out a little when it came into view.
I ventured into Etsy, Amazon, and Wayfair, trekking uphill in the metaphorical snow, and searching for “kitchen decor.” A blizzard of images swirled into view. A patina’d wooden window frame and a golden metal sunburst each earned a page in my tabs, just in case. With Evelyn on my lap, the images danced before us, beckoning us this way and that until one stood out—a cartoon of kittens bustling in aprons among plants and coffee cups, accompanied by the words, “More Espresso, Less Depresso.” I chose the largest size possible for the print, 24”x36”, and after tape measuring the space was pleasantly pleased that the wall kitty-corner to our Breville espresso machine could handle it.
An evening session reminded me of a simple tool for reducing stress and self-soothing, and I’m unsure if I’ve shared it here before. Picture a calming memory—someone who cared for you or a place you love—and close your eyes to immerse yourself in it. If it’s the beach, imagine the sound of waves, the feeling of your feet sinking into the sand, the warmth of the sun, and the breeze on your skin. If it’s a person, picture them holding your hand, their thoughtful gaze, and the comforting sense of their presence.
Positive memories create networks in our brain—networks we can tap into to access their calming benefits. The best time to practice this is when you’re mildly stressed, perhaps a 2 or 3 on a 1-10 stress scale. As I told my client, the more stressed you are, the less effective this tool tends to be.
So, practice during quieter moments. Making the mental shift allows your body a break, a moment to cruise. By consistently doing so, you’re strengthening your ability to tolerate stress over time, and increasing your resiliency.
Alright, that does it for me tonight. I hope your week is going swimmingly, and I’ll see you tomorrow.
Love, Jaclynn
Going On 40 