Why I Practice.
Life is truly amazing! But let’s face it—it can also be incredibly challenging. Every day, we’re met with hurdles, and our internal experiences of health, thoughts, and emotions don’t always make it easier to ride life’s waves.
When I began practicing self-regulation through yoga, meditation, Qigong, and creative expression, it wasn’t because I wanted to—it was because I needed to. I was searching for a lifeline, a buoy to keep my head above the emotional tides and help me navigate the storm of thoughts and anxieties that came with simply being me.
As someone who’s highly sensitive, life has a way of hitting hard. Staying grounded isn’t just an option for me; it’s a daily practice, a necessity to keep overwhelm at bay.
Now, here’s the thing: some of us are naturally more resilient than others. But that doesn’t mean one way of being is better or worse—it’s just different. Even the most resilient among us need tools for self-regulation.
Over the years, I’ve come to understand that self-regulation isn’t just about crisis management; it’s a vital daily practice for maintaining mental and physical well-being. It’s not a quick fix or a one-and-done solution—it’s a “wash, rinse, and repeat” kind of process. And when it becomes a regular part of your life, it’s not just curative; it’s preventative.
Life has a way of letting us know when we’re out of balance. If we’re fortunate, we’ve built up the tools and support to regain equilibrium quickly. But for many of us, things can spiral out of control, and we’re left to pick up the pieces. I’ve been there.
But here’s the beauty in the struggle: while I may be a bit of a “snowflake,” I’m also resilient, determined, and endlessly curious. That combination sparked a mission—to figure out how to get happy in a way that wasn’t about distraction, suppression, or material things.
That journey led me to build an abundant toolkit of self-regulating practices and insights—a collection of methods that keep me balanced and connected, no matter what life throws my way.
One of the most fascinating aspects of my daily practice of self-maintenance is the ever-changing version of myself I meet each time. Rarely am I the same person as I was the day before!
Emotions and thoughts move through us like weather patterns, shifting our mental and physical states and influencing how we experience the world. And this is what makes us so beautifully human.
Each day, when I engage in self-regulation, the experience is different. Some days I can sit for hours in meditation, floating on a sea of calm, while other days, I’m twitching uncontrollably after just two minutes. I can feel happy, sad, angry, or excited, often for no discernible reason. Sometimes, a trigger will send me into a spiral, and I need to reset completely—breathing in, breathing out, grounding myself.
On my mat, I can be flexible, full of energy, and balance on one toe, or I can be as stiff as a post, fatigued, and ready to sleep. And that’s okay—it’s all part of the experience, a reflection of my mental and physical state at that moment.
There are even days when simply settling into Child’s Pose can bring me to tears, for reasons I can’t always explain.
These are the moments I’ve learned to embrace. I’ve come to understand that emotions rise and fall—they’re transient. I don’t judge them or label them; I simply allow them to pass through, leaving me feeling lighter. This is the sweet spot of the practice: knowing that “this too shall pass” and that emotions, like thoughts, are just sensations. They rise and fall like waves, and if we don’t attach ourselves to them, they simply move on.
Each version of myself is an expression of me—and that, to me, is endlessly fascinating. I would never have discovered this if I hadn’t made it a habit to check in with myself every day. Asking, “Who am I today? What needs attention? What kind of maintenance do I need? Movement, stillness, expression?”
Another beautiful gift I’ve gained from this toolkit is the ability to integrate regulating tools into my everyday life—whether I’m navigating internal struggles, confrontations with others, or challenging situations. This helps me maintain balance and avoid falling apart. Of course, there are still times when I do—because, after all, I’m only human. And that’s the beauty of it: it’s called a practice. It’s something you get better at, but you’re always a student of your own experience.
So, stay curious about who you are. It’s an exciting, ongoing exploration, because you, in all your complexity, are truly fascinating!
My daily Practice.
For the curious, my daily practice starts with rolling out of bed and onto a cushion, accompanied by a warm glass of water—and, of course, a quick detour to the bathroom first!
I sit for anywhere from half an hour to an hour, depending on how much time I have that day. I begin by regulating my breathing, slowing it down and drawing it deep into my abdomen. This process gradually helps me sink back into myself, where I can simply hover in the moment, or clear any difficult thoughts or emotions with focused breathwork or tapping (EFT).
At times, I play with the energy generated through deep abdominal breathing, moving it up and down my center until I catch a natural high. These moments are the highlights of my meditation practice, especially when done regularly.
Then, I shift into movement. I take to the mat, where I practice a slow flow of yoga and Qigong.
After clearing stagnation and stiffness with shaking, spinal exercises, and warming my joints, I work through any remaining sticky thoughts and emotions. This prepares me for a smooth, meditative flow that can feel so blissful, it’s like an ecstatic dance.
If my to-do list doesn’t hijack my mind, I’ll end my practice by lying flat on the floor in Savasana (corpse pose) for about five minutes.
Sounds nice, doesn’t it? I’ll admit, though, not every day is smooth sailing. Some days, I roll from sitting into a ball on the floor, and that’s my practice for the day. Rest is good too.
On other days, I need to get out my pocket therapist (aka a journal) and write out my worries, frustrations, and questions—answers often arise from my subconscious. This practice was an absolute lifesaver when I was first starting out.
And of course, there are days when I take time off. But after more than three days, I start to get twitchy, my body aches, and I feel low. It’s a reminder of how important it is to check in with myself regularly.
Alongside my morning ritual, I try to eat well, stay hydrated, and smile. I don’t watch much news, as it helps me maintain my inner peace. I also make time for drawing, walking, pondering while gardening, and I love to cook—all of these things calm my mind and nourish my soul.
Get Curious. 