Balance

On October 1st, 2020, I left social media for a few weeks. I had no clue where it would take me personally and professionally. It was a trip of emotions but I can confidentially say I was shocked to find out what I uncovered.

With a lot of time off my phone, I found that my mind took over and I had weeks to think about my life, my body/mind, my family, my relationships, my career, my energy and my purpose. As someone who promotes positivity, love and peace into the world on a regular basis, I uncovered a something wrong...

I was off balance. Something wasn't right.

It was hard for me to realize at first. How can someone literally with the Twitter handle @BePositive, an author of a self-help book for college students and mentor to so many people be off balance? I was, and it was hard so swallow.

But I eventually realized it was true and gathered the strength to look inside, not outside.

Looking back I now understand (in my opinion) that the distraction of social media didn't allow for me to notice this sooner.

Numbing myself with creating stories, sharing posts and following others just occupied my time, it really didn't provide me any true value or purpose in my life. It was more harmful than helpful.

After listening really long and hard to myself during many many many meditation sessions, discussions with my wife (she calls herself my "guru") and meeting with an amazing energy healer ... I uncovered blocked energy in my stomach for many reasons I won't bore you with.

This blocked energy was physically and mentally breaking me down while navigating a world-wide pandemic, a high-demand career and a WFH schedule with three kids virtually learning.

During these weeks I wasn't able to numb those feelings with Twitter, Facebook, TikTok or Instagram... I had to face them head on, and I was prepared. I was open to accepting this change. I wasn't scared, nor was I too proud to realize my issue.

So how did I move forward?

What did I learn? How am I going to ensure that I have the tools to protect my energy in the future? Here are some of the things that helped "me". Keyword is me ... everyone is different and I am not a medical professional. I am just someone sharing my experience as it might inspire someone else.

1. I deleted all social media apps for almost 2 months. Note: I came on once or twice to post something I wanted to remember but after that I deleted them again. This was not easy, especially since I work in digital.
2. I made myself a routine that started every morning with a glass of water, then a cup of coffee, followed by some relaxing music by Tash Sultana and some incense (Sage x Lavender).
3. I read some interesting books about Innovation and Inner Engineering. Happy to share if you are interested in which ones.
4. Read to my kids a lot. I took on the challenge to inspire them about reading and its slowly working. I have them hooked on two book series and it's been fun to talk to them about each chapter and the characters.
5. I met with a wonderful energy healer who has been working with me re: homeopathic remedies for energy blockages in my body. The process is hard to explain in words. It's been really amazing though, I am so grateful for her and to my wife for recommending it!
6. I've started to care for the growth of many plants in my home office. It's been nice to see them grow every day.
7. I am doing more listening than talking.
8. I've meditated and focused on my breathing more than I ever had before. I also started to do Yoga daily. This has been helpful to me in so many areas of my life. It's part of me now and I am not looking back.
9. I am setting goals and reviewing them daily.

Those are just a few things that have helped me (start) a healthy relationship with my body and I hope they might inspire you in 2021. I am grateful that you have read this long and wish you love + light.

Sebastian