Season of rest

Posted on April 20, 2021 by Bhanu Misra Marya

We’ve been in this for over a year now. Take this as your sign.

It is okay to have a season of rest.

It’s okay to be feelings orientated if you need a break from being results orientated (or vice versa).

In the old time, the future seemed multifaceted. We had careers, families, personal aspirations, places to go, friends to see, bucket lists – the hum of human dreams we took for granted.

But we were sleepwalking, just one step away from trading all those possible futures for the shared fate of the Freeze.

// Monologue by Melanie Cavill of Snowpiercer

2021 Words of Intention

Posted on January 6, 2021 by Bhanu Misra Marya

I used to be really big into new years resolutions (see here and here). I mean I still am into making resolutions but they don’t need to be beginning at the start of the year. I set goals or dream big any time of the year, month or given day. Continuous improvement is just that – continuous!

I still have a few goals but they are ongoing/refreshed from things I was working towards last year.

I was journalling the other day and 3 words came to me:

Joy

Expression

Transformation

I want everything I do this year to be an embodiment of these words.

If I go for a run, I want to stop and take some pictures of me and my surroundings be cause that is an expression of my joy.

As soon as I have an idea for a post whether it’s on the blog (here or here), LinkedIn or Instagram, I am not going to sit on it – I am going to immediately express it.

If I need to upgrade, change or create something – I am going to make that transformation happen.

I think using words as intentions for your year is a great tool. They can be easily reminders providing quick ways to act.

Do you set resolutions at the start of the year?

Have you tried using a words as intentions for your year?

Start the new year with a run

Posted on January 1, 2021 by Bhanu Misra Marya

So thankful I was able to get out for a run on the first day of the year. Running in the colder temps is a new thing I started doing and I never want to look back.

The dreadmill is near and dear to my heart but winter running, snow, bare trees and crisp air has it’s own charm. And 👏🏽 I 👏🏽 am 👏🏽 here 👏🏽 for 👏🏽 it!

Exploring Glen Stewart Ravine

Posted on August 11, 2020 by Bhanu Misra Marya

The last few months of the shelter in place with the people in your own household was challenging and rewarding experience. On one hand, we were with each other all the time without the help of our village and on the other hand we got to spend all this time together that I always felt we were missing out.

When some of the restrictions lifted it was nice to enjoy the warm weather which worked really well as some of the first areas to open for public use were golf courses, open space parks and trails.

We have some great friends and family who made plans / did the research to figure out where to go and what to see (Nokiidaa Trail, Moccasin Trail and Wahoosh Falls) and then finally got out of my energy rut and found Glen Stewart Ravine and knew we had to check it out.

Glen Stewart Ravine is a lush, deep forest albeit short trail walk in the middle of the city is pure magic. There are number of streams, downed logs for seating and lots of shade.

There are a few different entrances (Beech St, Glen Manor Dr and Kingston Rd), we came in from Kingston and there were a few 100 stairs to make it down. We managed to see the cute stream (pictured below) and then found a cute shaded area to eat lunch (pictured above).

The middle of the trail is the entrance from Beech and it literally looked like we were in Hawaii!

The trail is not stroller friendly so keep babies in a carrier and leave the bikes/scooters at home. The air is fresh and the way the sun pours in through the trees is amazing – you’ll just wish the trail was much longer :)

Why I run (a letter to myself)

Posted on August 8, 2020 by Bhanu Misra Marya

I’ve been running since high-school. Well technically I started running cross country (3km?) when I was in middle school. So really, I’ve been running since i was 10 or 11 years old.

Pinterest, Running, Running Inspiration, Runner

My oldest memory of running was running with the middle school cross country team during early morning practice through a forest/ravine behind our school. I can’t believe I had that level of discipline! Although, being disciplined doesn’t really feel like work when you are doing something you really love.

Runner, Running Inspiration, Runner, Stride

So it’s safe to say I’ve always been running. And I want to continue running. So I am writing this letter to myself as a reminder to keep running. Whether the way I run changes (distance, time, speed) – I want to remind myself what running means to me.

1) Running is my moving meditation

2) Running brings me greater awareness to my capabilities

3) Running allows me to disconnect

4) Running makes me feel like I am flying

5) Running makes me grateful

6) Running allows me to connect with my natural environment

7) Running brings me immediate relief from overbearing emotions

8) After a run, I can think more clearly and make better decisions

9) Running is my favourite cardio

10) Running makes me feel fit

11) Running helps me organize my mind

12) Running makes me creative

13) Running has taught me over and over again, there is always room for growth

14) Running is as much about my physical capability as it is about my mental resilience

15) Run every day, because I only regret the runs I missed

16) Running always starts with walking first

Running Motivation, Winter Running, Cold Weather Running, Reasons to Run

Practicing Self Care during Physical Distancing

Posted on May 22, 2020 by Bhanu Misra Marya

It’s been over 10 weeks since we started physically distancing.

Information is changing constantly and of course I am hopeful and I am also realistic. But I think I am extra sensitive these days.

Initially, it felt great having “extra time” but then life at home got busier with full time everything all the time!

Having to facilitate remote schooling, preparing wholesome learning activities, tutoring, all day child minding along with being a housekeeper, cook, partner. Mix in part time school and WFH – it literally left no time for anything else.

And then something clicked and I realized that this wasn’t going to be a sprint – but a marathon. I also realized I needed to re-adjust the action plan for the long haul.

The feeling of being extra sensitive comes and goes in waves – I’m trying to figure out what and when I’m triggered and remove those triggers from my immediate attention (I am sharing this in case others are feeling the same but also to share that this activity is part of the readjustment for the long haul).

So now I am taking it one day at a time, learning to relentlessly triage, give myself grace, slow down all while enjoying this special-unusual-new normal as much as I can.

I also remind myself of this:

happiness isn’t a destination
being positive is knowing things will get better even if they aren’t great right now

Apart from these thoughts, there is always a loud voice telling me to be creative. When I am not writing/taking pictures regularly I just feel off. So with whatever time I can manage, I’ll try to make space for creativity.

With all that said, I hope you are doing well and in case you need a recharge as we enter week 11 of physical distancing I’ve included some self care ideas to keep you going for the long haul.

Create a (new) routine. Realizing I didn’t have my commute, my morning step count/city walk, my time to scroll IG, read a book or catch up/make lists/plan. Although I don’t have a routine that makes me grounded, I had to be okay changing things up. Steps around the house or a quick walk with the girls around the street, read in bed while the house is closet/before getting up to start the day. Part of the routine also includes remote learning for the kids as well as teaching them about when we have work tasks/meetings. It’s a tricky balance but we are getting there.
Get dressed in something cute every morning. Ok I am definitely not wearing dress pants, skirts or blazers. But a fresh pair of leggings and a cute sweater can make all the difference.
Exercise and find ways to be active. Workouts have changed. Running outdoors doesn’t feel the same. I have to really fight for my 10k steps. But I do it anyways. I take the stairs more than I have to. I chase the kids. I try not to stand still and walk during meetings.
Talk to someone. I think since 2020 started, I realized that I became an introvert in adulthood. Or maybe I just crave my own space, quiet and stillness. But then I found that I needed to talk to people who filled my cup. I needed to surround myself with positivity and clarity. Thankfully I have a few people I can talk to.
Drink tons of water. Water/Sparkling/Herbal tea + multiple trips to the bathroom :)
Conscious Eating. We’ve started meal planning again or atleast writing a list of meals for the week so we can prep in advance or not have to think of options when it’s time to eat. Make grocery lists. And decide on when we want to indulge (because that happens!)