The Tool You Need to Get Out of Your Head.

I had so much trouble getting out.

We were several days into staying inside constantly, surrounded by an ice storm Nashville just did not know how to deal with.

I went nuts. Oh, you’d never have been able to tell from looking at me - but if you took a peek into my mind, you’d say, “GIRL, you gotta get out.”

You’d be right. I so did.

The thing is, it wasn’t that easy. I haven’t historically done well being alone for that long, armed only with cassava chips and my phone. (Thank GOD my partner Thomas was there. Hugs are SO IMPORTANT.)

The obsessive compulsive parts of my brain activated immediately upon realizing we’d be stuck inside for a bit on day one. Within a few days, I’d posted my first Tik Tok and was opening and reopening and reopening the app, refreshing to see if I’d gone viral yet. (I hadn’t. I’m pretty sure I have 20 views of my CBD bath bomb a month later.)

I looked up ex-boyfriends on Facebook and watched the reels of old passive aggressive bullies. I searched for high school friends I hadn’t thought about in forever. I tapped through all of the stories of my favorite high-vibe mentors and queens as though I could drink up their successful awesomeness with each press of my fingertip.

I was confronted with how much I still hold comparisonitis. In high school and my late teens, I compared myself to my high school friends. In my early 20s, it was the Boston music scene. In my mid-late 20s (where we are now), it’s become the entrepreneurial community I take such pride in being a part of.

It. Had. To. Stop.

Grounding is a tool I come back to whenever I feel caught in my head. I use a physical sensation or activity to connect with and tune into my body until my brain has slowed down and begun to refocus.

I started with the question, “What do you need right now?”

I heard the reply, “Safety. I want to feel safe within myself. I want the ocean.”

The ocean is the most grounding place I’ve ever been, but as long as I’m in Nashville, that won’t be an easy trip. With no ocean in sight, I thought about what I could act on: “Nature” and “Water.”

I ran the bath immediately. I poured in the rest of my Epsom salts to relax my muscles and grabbed a lime-green Lush bath bomb to add the sensations of color and scent to my bath experience.

After the deep breaths of a hot water soak, I dressed for the first time all day (it was evening), put on my boots, and walked outside with Thomas, who was reminding me to catch snowflakes on my tongue. I danced happily (and carefully - dude, the ice) and filmed my own Instagram story (instead of looking at other people's) to share my beautiful joy.​

Here are two ways you can ground yourself
​any time you need to:

There’s nothing like connecting with nature to come back to yourself! Even if the weather won’t let you go far, step outside to take a breath and pause. Notice your surroundings and take deep breaths.

When you’re stuck in your head, you can ground yourself by connecting with your body. Here are body-love practices you can try:

• Turn on some music and dance!
• Freeze an orange. When you need relief, take it out of the freezer and press your nails into it. The aroma and coolness create a grounding sensory experience.
• Jump in the shower or take a hot bath with Epsom salts. Take it up a notch and hop into a cold shower. Oh yes. It’s hard.
• Look at your body in the mirror and tell her just how much you love yourself!​​​​

There is always a way to come back to ourselves. Yes, even on those, "I cannot. stop. scrolling!!!" days. Come back to what makes you feel grounded in your  body. You’ve got this, babe.

What’s your favorite way to connect with yourself? Send me an Instagram DM and let me know!