M A L V E N A @gracemalvena - Tumblr Blog

New Year, Same Resolution

I’m not a huge fan of resolutions, but Every year I make one, and it’s been the same one for the last five years: Spend more on experiences, less on things. Simple, vague, and easier to commit to than a weekly jog. Instead, I try keep it simpler and think in smaller time chunks, like ways to improve my morning instead of my year. While these aren’t resolutions, it’s a ow stress way to build a habit that can slowly improve your life! I have a whole morning routine at this point, but these are my top three habits that I stick to:

Morning Pages

This is my newest, and current favorite part of my morning. I got a christmas gift of Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” book, and this is her #1 tried and true, do-every-day, can’t-give-up exercise. The basic rule is this: Every morning, first thing, write 3 pages longhand (I sometimes do a little less). This, is not meant to be good writing. In fact, it’s not meant to ever be read again, so nooo pressure! The point is to clear out your brain for the day. In these three pages, put down all the whatever stuff: “I need to do the laundry, have to stop by the post office, call Mom back, etc”. The effect of this is two-fold. First, writing things down will help you remember what you need to get done. Second, this gives your brain permssion to move on to other thoughts, and helps jump start the day! I find myself left with a clearer mind every time, and it almost feels like a mini therapy session - I think we can agree that everyone could use one of those after this year.

2. Stretching

Ok, this one is not just for morning. I stretch all. The. Time. It’s incredible how much tension can build up even over the course of a day! My basic stretches are as follows: Trace a giant circle with your nose, 5-10 circles in each direction (Until you work out most of those tiny pops and cracks). Next, Take a deep breath and while standing up, fold forward while exhaling that big breath. Let your neck hang, and work through this one for a minute, bending halfway up on the inhale, and stretching more on the exhale. The third big one is a straddle stretch, illustrated below. This one doesn’t look like it stretches your back but Oh My GOD people this is an amazing back stretch. Take a few breaths in each position!

3. Make Something Every Day

Oof! This one is a little harder, but for all you creative types it’s important! What I do need to stres is this: It doesn’t have to be good. It doesn’t have to be big. It can be as simple as a little drawing, or a poem. But your creativity is a muscle that benefits from being used. The more you get into the practice of using it, the better is will be able to respond! For your viewing pleasure, here are a few of the things I’ve made of the last week or so:

All this being said, I am so happy to be putting 2020 to bed, what a mess it was! Here’s hoping for a better and even more art-filled year.

What's The Deal With December 21st?

Wow, what a year! Part of me doesn’t even want to go into the year we’ve all had, because you all know what I’m going to say about it. It feels like the simulation glitched! Life has taken so many unprecedented turns in the last year, and since March, my life has changed drastically. The city I live in? Different! The boring stable job that I didn’t love but went to everyday anyways? Gone! Anxiety? Up! Creativity? Thriving!

And somehow, I have a feeling that I’m not the only one in circumstances like these. In an increasingly odd year, it’s no wonder the planets are up to their own tricks. If the last year has taught me anything, it is that reality is exactly what you make of it, and the universe is bringing home this point! As I’m sure you’ve heard, there is a Great Conjunction coming up on December 21st, between Saturn and Jupiter. This means lots and lots of things, but one of the main points, is that now is the time to direct your energy into the future, and into your passions. The two planets will be aligning in the constellation of Aquarius, and this represents the beginning of a new age (and yes… It is the Age of Aquarius).

Without the fancy terminology, basically what is happening is that Saturn and Jupiter are going to pass by each other, in what is called a Great Conjunction. Planets pass by each other all the time in their orbits, but there are a few things that make this one special. First of all, Saturn and Jupiter are both HUGE, and pretty far out in our solar system. This means that they have giant orbits, and only pass by each other once every twenty years. Because of where Earth is in relation to them, this passing can look different. Sometimes they get friendly, and other times they social distance their way around one another. This upcoming conjunction is “Great” because it is the closest the two planets have been since 1623, and the is closest observable conjunction since the year 1226 (meaning it was daytime when this happened in 1623 so one one could see it!). To put it in perspective, the last time anyone could see this planetary event, it was the Middle Ages and Genghis Khan was still wandering Asia.

Even if you don’t believe in astronomy or astrology, now is one of those times when it might be nice to take a couple precautions, just in case the universe is about to change up your whole state of being. Of those precautions, I would recommend giving meditation a try! If that takes too long or is too boring for you, then whenever you’re bored or laying in bed at night, imagine your dream life. Write about it in detail, and bring as many specifics into the picture as you can. The more you can imagine your dreams the more likely you are to bring them into fruition. Despite the nervousness that can come from not feeling entirely like you’re on steady footing, this is a very exciting time. It’s an opportunity that, if we are brave enough and smart enough, we can take! Now is the time to start planning your business, or begin creating the plans for your dream home. Think about who you want to be, and what you want for yourself in the next twenty years.Remember, you are the catalyst of all the changes in your life. Whether the planets bring you changes or not, you are the one that gets to decide how your life manifests itself.