This is my meditation corner. It’s not glamorous, or neat, or Pinterest perfect. But it’s where I do my morning routine, and it works for me.
For years, I’ve been trying to develop a morning routine. I’ve struggled to meditate on a consistent basis, and I have always wanted to start the Ayurvedic practice of abhyanga (self-oil massage) and have put it off for years. I didn’t do it because I didn’t have the right oil, the right space, the right time…you get it. Many of you probably have someday goals, the ones that are out there waiting for you to get the right schedule or equipment or whatever. But the important thing is to start right now. The trick is if you don’t at least start the activity and experience some of the benefits, you’ll never see the point in investing in better equipment down the line. It’s the behavior that causes change, not the stuff.
My yoga mat is a great example of this. When I started practicing, I bought myself a basic yoga mat–you know, the kind you rent from studios or find at any store with a fitness section—the foam ones with the little squares. I took that mat to every class for five years, and I carried it into teacher training with me. Now, I’m super picky about my yoga mats, and I happily spend $70 on a Jade yoga mat–I’m even a Jade Yoga brand ambassador now! But that never would have happened without my $10 mat from the beginning of my practice.
If you look closely at the photo, the bottle of oil I use for my abhyanga is toasted sesame oil. Yes, toasted. From the grocery store. Just to be clear, it is absolutely not the recommended oil for this treatment. But guess what? I was in the grocery store, and on a budget, and trying to prioritize my self care and the new habits I was creating. I bought toasted sesame oil and a $3 shaker of sea salt labeled in Spanish and went home for my mini spa day.
So my bedroom now permanently smells like a cheeseburger. But guess what? I love the routine and I’m now consistent in doing it three to five times a week. Now, it’s worth investing the $25 in organic, cold-pressed, therapeutic-grade sesame oil because it supports the habit I’m already building. It supports who I am, which is easier than trying to figure out what who I want to be wants.
Moral of the story? Small, imperfect steps are often better than large, perfect, but theoretical ones. This year, I’m out to give up my addiction to sweeping changes. What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.
