Looking Forward

So it's Sunday, but are you already thinking, or maybe worrying about the week ahead? Have you already totally left today? The transition from weekend to weekday can be difficult, which means you can then find yourself a little drained on Monday, wishing that you'd made the most of your time off while you had the chance. But being energized for the week ahead is possible. It's just a matter of setting yourself up for success. And a big part of that is giving yourself some space to rest and restore, so that you you can set some mindful intentions for the week ahead. First, choose an activity today where you can really be in the experience, rather than just doing it. This could be anything, a walk, having a bath, playing with the kids, cooking, but rather than thinking about something else while you're doing it, notice what the experience is like when you give your full attention to it, when you move from doing to being in it. And secondly, take a little time to set some intentions for the week ahead. These don't need to be big or grand, but take a moment to reflect on what it is that you need. It could be something like, my intention for the week is to create some breaks in between meetings. And finally, give yourself plenty of time to rest tonight. Having a wind down routine can make all the difference on those first few morning hours. Nightly rituals, like doing a wind down exercise, stretching, or listening to calming music before bed can help us drift off into sleep. And remember, it's okay to feel anxious about the week ahead. By gently acknowledging that those thoughts are there, giving them space to surface, we're more able to let them go. But for now, let's put some of this into practice with a meditation to help cultivate some of those mindful intentions for the week ahead. Taking a moment to get into a comfortable position, sitting or lying down. If it feels comfortable to do so, taking a deep breath in through the nose, and out through the mouth. If you find that the breath is challenging in any way, perhaps focus your attention on the different points of contact in the body, sensations of the feet on the floor, hands in the lap. So allowing the mind and body to settle into this space, breathing normally, and pausing in this moment. And asking yourself this question, what is it that you need this week? Don't worry too much about the thoughts that fill the mind. Don't feel the need to try and answer the question in any way. Instead, notice what arises when you ask that question. What is it that you need this week? Giving yourself some space to recognize your needs, your health and happiness. And if the eyes were closed, just gently opening them again, taking in the space around you, as you carry...