Is it just me, or does the world seem busier these days? Perhaps it is because I live in a large and thriving city, perhaps the fact that I am a full-time student and mum of two. Or is it maybe just a kind of change in the rate of change?
Regardless of the reason, after reading an article about how toddlers can use ‘self-calming’ spaces and ‘self-calming’ bags instead of time-out, I found myself wanting that too.
Having learned all manner of meditations, and doing my very best to use them, I still find it difficult to tap that resource when I need it most. When that pulse and heart rate quicken in response to any variety of family or life challenges day to day, that’s when I forget that I know what to do to chill out. It’s usually not until later that I realise I need some self-calming.
So maybe it’s time to put a little squirt of a favourite essential oil on a hanky and put it in my pocket. I heard once that Alfred Hitchcock (or was it Christian Dior?) was extremely superstitious and used to carry a pencil in his pocket at all times so that he could touch wood if he needed to. Maybe I need rosary beads or something. Either way, I feel like this is something we should be learning at school. We all need a little bit of help to get us through the stressful times.
So my suggestion is that every workplace, every school, and every home, needs a calming corner. Not just for the toddlers either. It could have cushions or bean bags, nice smells, lava lamps, maybe those little starry sky projections, and ambient music (not the daggy annoying kind either). Imagine what a different world it would be if we were allowed to take a moment when we needed to?
I think I would like that very much.
Alena Turley is an Australian mentor for mothers. Founder of the pioneering blog, the Soul Mama Hub, her wellbeing membership offers a powerful pathway for mothers ready to go from over-extended, stuck in the daily grind, to empowered, inspired and energised so they can become the CHANGEMAKERS they dream of being.