Are you stuck in a negative mindset? Last podcast episode we talked about 3 steps you can take to shift that mindset and get you where you want to be. In this episode, we break it down to the five senses, and how each sense can feed your positivity...or negativity.
How much do all five senses affect your mood?
The answer is...a LOT!!
Listen to this episode on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, TuneIn, YouTube, iHeartRadio or your RSS Feed *Now also on the Pandora app and Radio.com!
Five Senses
Negative mindset can actually be affected by the five senses. How can you spiral out of negativity and move into intentionality?
Well in this post (and on the podcast) we’ll break down how each of the five senses can be utilized as you focus on how to create an atmosphere of positivity in your home…and your life.
Sometimes, when it's overwhelming and you don't know where to start, breaking it down to your five senses allows you to hone in on a specific area and see what little shifts could make a huge difference.
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Where are we this week?
This week we've been hanging in the Florida Keys and enjoying some time on our friend's Catamaran! We met the Fosters at a Fulltime Families rally and have enjoyed connecting with our Canadian friends over the years - and last year they added one more adventure - boating! Although they still have an RV, they are up for boating adventures for a while, and we were thrilled to hang out in their gorgeous home before they head to the Bahamas!
Follow us on our journey on Insta as the FieldTripGypsies!
What do you SEE?
Surround yourself with positivity – write down inspirational quotes. Print them off and put them around your house and/or office – on the fridge, in the bathroom, your computer monitor, on your car dashboard).
What motivates and inspires you – a picture, a quote, a painting?
What visuals do you have around you that lift you up?
This may also be a time to assess the clutter and if your overwhelm has something to do with the visual clutter around you.
I found that working in a crowded office space with stuff all over the walls was really difficult for me – I needed a clean work area and blank space around me. The visual setting can definitely have an effect on your attitude.
At home, are you spending more time in frustration over the mess in your home? Maybe it’s time to reduce the visual clutter to allow space in your home – and your mind – to focus on the good, not what you are frustrated by.
Dig Deeper...
Some additional resources for you
- 3 Mindset Shifts to get out of a Negative Spiral (Episode 124)
- Feeling completely overwhelmed and stressed out?
- Unhurried Spaciousness: Five Steps for Your New Year (Episode 85)
- Minimalist Family, Clutter Loving Friends (Episode 60)
- Can your soul breathe? Engage the senses (Episode 20)
- Clutter Is Simply A Postponed Decision (Episode 19)
- Is “Home” In Your House…or Your Heart? (Episode 17)
- It’s More Than Just A “Joy Spark” (Episode 18)
- The Minimalist To-Do List
- 13 Minimalist Tips for Families
- Your Home Is A Multitude of Senses: What Have You Engaged?
- You Can’t Take It All – Cherish The One
- Consistency Is Key – How To Be Consistent
- Clear Energy, Clear Mind
- Less Is More – It’s Time To Declutter!
- Engaging The Senses
- How to Eliminate Toxicity and Thrive with Organic Relationships
- Are Your Relationships Organic…or Toxic?
- Toxic Mama, Toxic Home: How To Reduce Reaction And Give Your Children Wings
- Toxic Relationships and What To Do About Them (Episode 57)
- 5 Tips for Difficult Conversations You Want to Avoid (Episode 82)
- When Routines Are Off And Expectations Are High (Episode 83)
- Here Come The Holidays…and the Relationship Drama (Episode 27)
- Those Crazy, Crunchy Families
What do you HEAR?
Who are you surrounding yourself by? What people are in your environment? Are they full of positivity and light, or are they full of complaining, drama, and toxicity?
What are you listening to? Is it the news constantly blaring in the background about how the world is coming to an end, or endless commercials and ads in between music about how their dog got run over and their wife left them? Is there a constant script of “I can’t” or “I don’t know” that is going on in your head, or in your house?
What Do You TASTE?
How would this play into it, you ask? Think about what all you put into your body. I firmly believe in a mind/body/soul approach, and believe they are all very inter-related. You cannot eat a strict diet of French fries and steak and not have that affect how you feel.
What we put into our bodies matters. It matters for our health, and it matters for how we feel – how do you feel after eating a whole cheese pizza or chocolate cake vs. eating a fresh salad or that platter of veggies and hummus after a hard hike?
It’s not that you can’t eat crap food. We live in America, and it’s hard to navigate what even IS food, much less get our choices right all the time. But just like we talked about with meditation, it’s letting those poor food choices flow through and not holding onto that as a habit. Hold on to the foods that replenish you, that make you feel healthy, and that you enjoy without guilt.
What do you touch?
What are you touching? Anything? Interesting thought. As parents, we can get completely touched out by our kids on a daily basis for sure. But boy, I have found a huge catalyst for my own wellbeing can be when I acknowledge how much touch affects me.
What is touching you? Think about your clothing. I don’t wear stilettos or any shoe or outfit that is uncomfortable. You can still look presentable and professional without sacrificing your comfort. I respect my body enough to not force it into discomfort with clothing. I look for things that feel good texture-wise, that fit well, and that I feel good in – because when I am confident in my skin, that shows, and is a great boost for positivity.
On top of that, who are you touching? Are you making it a point to reach out and connect with others? Do you hug, shake hands, high five? I’ve stated often for intimate relationships:
It’s harder to remain emotionally distant when you physically connect on a daily basis.
What do you Smell?
Did you know that smell is the greatest sense that invokes long term memories? It's so powerful in how it triggers emotions and memories, like going back a specific time at grandma's house where you made applesauce and the fun of that day, or how the smell of lilacs always takes you back to your wedding day outdoors. How is smell affecting you? Pay attention to what you are smelling - is it pleasant? Does it trigger any negative memories? Does it get you "in the zone?"
What do you FEEL?
How are you experiencing life? Are you really stopping to soak it in and acknowledge the present moment? Do you feel tension, anxiety, stress, overwhelm? Do you feel joy, peace, contentment, ease?
How often do you stop and simply sit with where you are and what you’re feeling? So often we can get caught up in the ‘doing’ and forget about the beauty in simply ‘being’. I think both aspects are super important, yet taking that time to check in with your own emotional and mental health and wellbeing is so, so important.
Below is a video on grounding...an essential component of how I keep my own sanity and get back to center:
Give yourself grace through the process. If you’re going through any of these senses and you don’t like it, flip the script. What would it be if it were the opposite? How would that feel? What would that look like?
Your Weekly Challenge:
Do an inventory of these five senses for yourself today. Go back to last weeks’ episode and the three tips there, and then break it down into the senses and how you can make an impact in your mindset by getting intentional in these areas.
You have an impact. Everywhere you go, you have an impact. Emotionally, energetically, you have more power than you may give yourself credit for.
I am passionate that each of us has our own unique strengths that are important to share. You are powerful beyond measure. You make an impact. And so does everyone else in your family. The more you can understand that, know how to interconnect, and have grace, the more your family will thrive. Because ultimately, the uniqueness in each of us strengthens all of us.
Namaste
Questions or comments?
Personality styles, marriage/intimacy, parenting, education, minimalism or travel - what is pressing on your mind?