Tranquil Compass Coaching

Bringing Calm Out of Chaos

On Monday, like many people my boys went back to school.  However, they are both in local colleges, not the same one though, and have vastly different schedules.  Neither one has a car and for the most part don’t care about driving. This leaves me trying to keep up with their schedules and the work schedule for my oldest.  To say there is chaos is an understatement!  Then I add to it with the fact I don’t sleep much due to insomnia.  Most days I’m on auto pilot.  But I have learned a few ways to calm the chaos.
As guessed, I’m up early every day.  Often Brett (the youngest) will make coffee for us while I start prepping our day.  Whoever is up first feeds the cats.  The boys grab their own breakfast.  I will generally get lunches ready to go.  I cannot tell you just how much easier it is with Bento boxes!  Billy (the oldest) likes a hearty lunch and trust me, he’s big enough to need it.  While Brett is a body builder and requires lots of protein.  Personally, I believe that everyone needs a decent amount of protein to feel fuller longer.  I also love lots of whole grains.  But anyway, before we head out, I toss a load of laundry in so there is less to worry about later. 
I head out at different times on different days too.  That’s college for you.  But tossing in laundry early and using the Bento boxes makes the morning smoother – calming the chaos.
By the time morning runs are done, I’m home about 11:00 am.  This is when I make tea (always without caffeine as I have enough trouble sleeping) and I love many different herbal teas.  I will sit down, do some deep breathing or meditate to create calm again after the morning rush.  Three days a week I follow this with a workout.  When I am very stressed or anxious I will do some yoga to reset the nervous system.  All this is generally before noon with school and work runs, errands, grocery shopping, cleaning and lots of pet care.

Afternoons can carry so many different ways depending on Bill’s health, Migraine pain, and so much more.  This is my study time, getting articles written, planning meals or scheduling, phone calls, etc.  If time allows, I may get in some different self-care such as reading or polishing my nails.  At this time my “work” consists of this group researching herbs and supplements and plant and animal care.  Sadly, my health issues prevent me from working an actual job at this time, but I do feel I want to be productive.
To simplify and calm life a bit more I either put dinner in the crockpot during the day or get it in the oven before running the evening run.  Then whenever I am driving, I do breathing exercises for calm as well.  In order to keep things calmer, I try to incorporate slower times into the rush of everything.  During the week we don’t sit down at the table to eat.  We will grab a late dinner in the living room watching a show we are all interested in followed by some time together as a family.  For us, family is a huge priority.  We spend time everyday connecting and checking in on each other.  We will give updates on the next day and what is needed or things coming up.  We also make it a point to have a family game night every week too.  For our family, connecting is a part of life that is so important.  These times together also help calm the chaos. 

I urge everyone to find moments in your day that you can take time to reset yourself, calm your mind and body and find a way through the chaos on your terms.  We all need different things in our life and need to incorporate them into our everyday lives.  I understand that can be extremely hard some days, but in order to get through the day it is important to apply some techniques to help us.  I can’t say it will be easy, but you will find it does help. 

May you all be blessed.