Back to Basics: Simple Shifts to Reset and Reconnect
When you're caught in a period of upheaval, whether it's an unexpected life event or simply feeling unmoored during a time of change, finding your footing can feel challenging. Rather than reacting to the disorientation that often accompanies significant transitions, I've developed a personal protocol to help realign and regain my center. Because I approach life with the perspective that each challenge offers growth potential, I try to listen more deeply when everything feels in flux. Returning to fundamental practices has consistently helped me uncover what these pivotal moments might be inviting me to notice or understand. These simple, accessible approaches cost little or nothing, and they've become my reliable compass for finding steadiness during periods of significant change. Today, I'm sharing them with you in hopes they'll bring clarity and groundedness when you're navigating your own turning points.
1. Sleep
Prioritize it, nine hours for me I noticed is where I feel optimized, and sometimes even a nap. When navigating significant change, I focus first on getting the deep rest my system needs. As a mother, this sometimes means synchronizing short rests with my toddler's schedule, an opportunity I deeply appreciate. I've learned to temporarily set aside non-essential obligations and simplify wherever possible, even if just for a week. Proper rest allows my nervous system to recalibrate, enabling me to navigate transitions with greater clarity and presence.
2. Sunshine
A daily dose of 20-30 minutes of sunlight helps reestablish my connection to natural cycles, balancing hormones, boosting vitamin D, and supporting overall wellbeing. This simple practice grounds me during periods when everything else feels uncertain, providing a consistent touchpoint that transcends whatever changes I'm experiencing.
3. Exercise
Movement becomes essential when navigating significant shifts, though I keep it adaptable to my changing needs. Some days it's a 30-40 minute walk, others a gentle jog, or low impact movements. The form matters less than the consistency, moving my body helps process the emotions and energy that often arise during transitions. Bonus efficiency: I frequently combine this with my sunshine time for a dual benefit!
4. Nourishing Foods
During periods of change, I return to basic, wholesome meals rich in fruits, vegetables, and quality proteins. Quick conveinent foods and even natural sugars take a temporary backseat, as I've noticed they can deplete rather than replenish my energy reserves when I'm already navigating significant transformation.
5. Lower Caffeine Intake
Decreasing caffeine helps minimize additional stress on my system and supports deeper rest cycles. When I scale back, I often discover I naturally require more sleep, which feels regenerative rather than depleting. This adjustment might initially feel challenging, but the benefits typically emerge within just two days, providing greater stability during times of change.
6. Disconnect from Social Media
Social media and constant connectivity can amplify the disorientation that often accompanies significant life transitions. Temporarily logging out or removing apps creates space for the inner listening that transitions require. This intentional disconnection helps me reconnect with my own wisdom and focus on processing the changes I'm experiencing.
7. Revisit My Rituals
My foundational practices of meditation, reflective writing, and pulling a card from my Simple Shifts deck provide stability amidst change. When these rituals have fallen away during particularly turbulent periods, I gently reintegrate them with intention. They serve as consistent touchpoints, reminding me to tune in, turn up, trust, and take aligned action, especially when everything else feels in motion.
Finding Your Own Path Through Transition. This straightforward simple protocol has served as my anchor when navigating transitions, particularly when I notice myself becoming reactive, frustrated, caught in negative thought patterns, or disconnected from my authentic self. Over time, I've discovered that these fundamental shifts compound into a deeper sense of stability and clarity, even during major life changes. They require minimal resources beyond what you likely already have, yet offer tremendous support during transformative periods.
One client recently shared that her "back to basics" moment involved decluttering her space. She found that letting go of things, and creating more organization in her space also helped her de-clutter and organize her thoughts. I've experienced this too, as clearing physical clutter often creates space for processing emotional and mental aspects of transition.
Whether you're navigating a career evolution, relationship transformation, identity shift, or any significant life change, it's never too late to establish these foundational practices. The key is focusing on what feels sustainable and extending yourself patience and compassion as you show up for yourself during this time. These small, consistent actions can help you navigate change with greater ease and create a ripple effect of alignment that extends well beyond the transition itself, consistency being the essential element.
Happy Shifting!
