SAYING FAREWELL TO THE CULT OF BUSY
The word “busy” has to go.
We’re all far too busy. We’re all filled to the brim with information and tasks. We have an endless list of books we’d like to read, travel arrangements to make, food to prepare, relationships to nourish, and literally an infinite number of other such things…. Leaving little time for yoga, self-care, and other nourishing practices.
Did You Know, To Say You Are “Too Busy” For Something Means You Didn’t Prioritize It?
If we aren’t finding time to do the things that nourish us and give us fuel to tackle all of the other things on the list, then we need to pivot our relationship to self-care.
Self-care is definitely not a luxury, but a necessity that we can all find time for.
How do we find the time? By releasing non-priority things like social media and constantly checking notifications, and adding things like rituals.
Let’s look into each one in detail:
1. Unplugging
How frequently, and for how long, you use (then unplug from) social media is up to you.
Because only you know when the experience you’ve having is good for you, or wasting your time (aka, - keeping you feeling “busy” but draining your energy).
Perhaps you craft your own personal form of mini digital detox, and see what new experiences await you.
Maybe for you it’s mornings off, Sundays off, or a monthly larger fast. Take a rest.
And, instead of simply unplugging, try replacing it with an activity like coloring, mediating, learning something new, masturbating, moving your body, cooking with a friend, or something else that nourishes you.
2. Removing Distractions
Remove alerts, buzzes, beeps, red circles and notifications from your phone and from your consciousness.
In fact, decide that you will only look at your phone when you decide to, not because someone pulled on your attention. Put the thing in a drawer if needed.
3. Life Is Not Content
Related to the other two notes, - we don’t have to selfie every joint we smoke.
(I say this to myself as much as I say it to you, lol. If you watch my IG Stories, you know I’m all about those joint-selfies, lol..)
A reminder that we don’t need to capture every nature place we go to, every cake we cut with friends, every champagne toast, every sunset, every mud mask, every Ganja Yoga sesh.
Let’s see if we can have Instagram-worthy moments and be fully in them - at least some of the time…
4. Develop Daily Rituals
Making goals small and achievable is key. Stick to one ritual every morning (gratitude journal, meditation, or walk for example), and one every evening (steamy mug of CBD tea, gentle Ganja Yoga Online class, or read), and see it through for twenty-eight days. You are not too busy for self-care, you’re just out of practice in prioritizing it.
But: You got this.
5. Balance Your System
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is connected to and responsible for every other system in the body. Keep homeostasis with a daily dose of the non-psychoactive part of cannabis, (beloved CBD), and, if you like, some (super-healthy) psychoactive THC too.
Both of cannabis’ main compounds not only prevent neurological degeneration and cancer, they also help with sleep, pain, mood, and, as mentioned previously, - balance every single system of the body.
Pro Tip: Find ways to reduce and manage stress to help your ECS stay in peak form, and you’ll find you don’t need to supplement as much!
6. More Nature, Always
If you don’t get much green besides what’s in your pipe, it might be time to actively bring her into your life. If you’re in a city, schedule a trip to the park. A hike out of town. A stroll along the waterfront. Different types of natural beauty allow you to feel expansive and connected to something magnificently larger than yourself. Nobody’s too busy for that.
7. Soothing Heat
Have a bath, find some hot springs, or, in a pinch, use an electronic heat-pad to soften your sore muscles. Breathe deeply here, layering activities for the most benefit. No, not playing on your phone, but meditating and relaxing. Being present. Just fully feeling what is. Rest. Again, add some CBD into a hot glass of tea, or a CBD bath bomb into the tub, for added relaxation.
8. Self-Pleasure
Nothing says self-love like loving up yourself.
For women, masturbation is still an act of feminist self-care, since we have been indoctrinated to be ashamed of it. So, for political reasons as much as personal, be sure to love your WHOLE self up sometimes. And, take your time, enjoying an extended love-making session with yourself, perhaps adding props and special music, candles, or outfits to raise even more energy. See how long you can enjoy the build-up before releasing, and remember, orgasms are cool, but pleasure is the goal.
9. Food As Fuel
Instead of eating to feed our emotions, we can make the choice to fill up on unlimited vegetables. I might eat a whole head of kale or two zucchinis myself sometimes.
Once you’re full on healthy food, emotions like boredom, sadness, loneliness, and anxiety can rise up and truly be felt and released, instead of being smothered under macaroni and cheese.
Try journalling, dancing, talking to a friend, or just breathing and being with what arises when emotions and cravings for unlimited carbs overwhelm you. Practice noticing your needs and feelings when you aren’t numbed by junk food.
10. Get Moving
Perhaps the most important way to make self-care a priority despite feeling busy is to move!
Move your body, - outdoors if you can, - but most important is to move, - every single day.
Commit to a ten minute walk. A two-minute dance. Or a 20-minute Ganja Yoga class.
Once you start, you’ll probably keep going.
Shake your arms and legs to music while waiting for the kettle to boil. Check out a new pilates video. Try a new form of fitness or recreation you’ve been curious about. Bowling? Ice skating? Or even just making love.
When it comes to the body, it really is a ‘move it or lose it” situation (“it” meaning, “your health”), - so why not boogy a bit right now??
Ok Folks, - Those Are Some Of Our Top Self-Care And Anti-Busy Suggestions. Once More They Are:
Digital detoxes and removing notifications
Resist the urge to constantly capture content
Develop daily self-care rituals: use nature, heat, rest, and movement
Keep your endocannabinoid system balanced with quality cannabis and CBD products and limiting and managing stress
Eat well and move that wonderful body of yours!