Petits Moments: Finding the Flexibility to Change

I'm pretty much always seeking out new information and experiences. Thursday evening in my yoga class, my very wise teacher talked about how easy it is to be fixed in one certain way of doing things and not feel the flexibility to change. While she was referring to our practice on the mat, it is the ability for yoga to transform your life off the mat that truly amazes me. 

That idea of being fixed? I felt that for a while. I felt fixed in the way my life was. Even though I had other passions and dreams to explore I felt stuck, like my life could only be this one certain way. 

It's funny, but the more I seek out information and experiences, the more life speaks to me. I felt a little lightbulb go off as I listened to my yoga teacher's words, but it wasn't until listening to an episode of the podcast Happier by Gretchen Rubin and her sister Elizabeth Craft that I understood what these words fully meant for my life.

Timing is also everything. I haven't listened to Happier in weeks, but as I am completely up to date on The Simple Sophisticate and What Should I Read Next?, I was looking for another show to accompany my morning routine. Happier has always been a favorite.

The theme of Episode 116: Staring a side hustle (which they define as something YOU create on the side that's income generating) and what that can mean for your overall happiness. They go on to explain that this feeling of having something that is YOURS, that YOU created, that YOU are in charge of is not only satisfying and empowering, but also energizing and of course a happiness boost. It's a way, the two hosts explain, "to expand your world" and "make your life bigger." Without being a risk so big you feel a loss of security, it can provide you with feelings of freedom and fun, an outlet for passions you may not get to explore in your day job.

Going back to that fixed feeling, I think this is what I didn't understand before. I didn't understand that it was possible to have it both ways - to feel secure, but to also break out of the daily grind and find the flexibility to integrate more true passion into my life.

Gretchen shares her story of how she transitioned from lawyer to writer. For her, her writing side hustle wasn't at all financial at first but eventually became her life's work. I relate to this completely. My French studies, my art, and my work here at Fleur de St. Louis are what I consider my side hustle, but at this stage I'm not receiving any financial benefits. What I am receiving is a wealth of inspiration, increased self-love, and the growth of a supportive community that has enriched my life more than I imagined possible. Of course I would love to turn these passions into something that gives me the financial freedom to travel more and continue to explore what it means to live your best possible life. That's the dream, and since I found the flexibility to invite change into what once felt fixed, I feel that I am one step closer each and every day. 

I hope today's petit moment brought you some inspiration as you are enjoying your beautiful Sunday morning. If you're feeling fixed as I once felt (and not very far in the past), I hope you begin to feel that you have the power to make your life anything you want it to be. Move in the direction of your dreams, and you will invite the change that you are seeking. I truly believe that. 

I will see you tomorrow, lundi, with a special treat! I'm announcing the final Fleur de St. Louis giveaway of summer. :)

Until then, warm wishes from me to you!

Wellness Wednesday (n°3): Le Yoga with Adriene

Happy Wednesday, readers! I hope this post finds you well. If you've been following along the Fleur de St. Louis journey, you've probably noticed that I often mention yoga as a major source of both my physical and mental wellness. Yoga has been a part of my life since college. I started doing yoga predominantly as a form of exercise. I'll be honest, at first I tried to flow through the instructor's poses even if I felt discomfort. I would constantly glance around the room, checking my neighbor's posture, comparing my strength and flexibility to those around me. This part didn't always feel so good. But then came Savasana (corpse pose). This final resting pose closes out the practice and allows you to breathe and meditate while the earth has your back (literally). It was then I realized that while yoga has incredible physical benefits, it was the spiritual and mindful side of practice that I craved in my life most. 

I have tried many things along the way from yoga classes at the gym, to classes in the park, to local studios around town. I am lucky to have finally stumbled upon the studio that truly gives a sense of home away from home, but that wasn't always the case for me and may not be the case for you. Home (whether literal or emotional) provides, in my opinion, the best backdrop for your yoga practice. It is at home where you feel free to be you, where you don't feel the slightest sense of judgement or comparison, where you can truly let go. That said, even if you are ready to begin your home yoga adventure, you may not be sure of where to start. I know I wasn't. 

This is where Yoga with Adriene (YWA) comes in. I don't remember exactly how I found out about YWA but I am oh so grateful that I did. You can get a very clear sense of what YWA is all about by simply listening to Adriene's powerful suggestion to "find what feels good". She truly embodies this warm, welcoming, individualized approach in all that she does. Whether you are a beginner looking to solidify your yoga foundations before attempting a public class, someone seeking calm, someone looking for a sense of community... YWA has something to offer you. And did I mention that a very large majority of her content is FREE?! It's truly amazing. 

Pictured here is a "collection" page in my bullet journal where I started listing my favorite YWA videos, as well as any videos that peaked my interest to try in the future. While the calming videos are the ones I turn to most, I am going to outline several suggested videos and links below in hopes that you can find something through YWA to meet your specific interests and needs. 

Solidifying Foundations:

Even the most experienced yogi can benefit from Adriene's beginner and foundation videos. She really breaks down each pose so that you are not (like I once was) just going through the motions. I love that she takes the time to help you understand the way your body should feel in poses and postures. Here are a few that you would be sure to encounter in any public class:

Seeking Calm:

As I mentioned above, this is what I love most about YWA. When I feel nervous, stressed, anxious, or I am simply seeking a quality night's sleep, I turn to Adriene's videos. Below are links to my top favorites:

Searching for a Sense of Community: 

YWA has a very strong and active community. You can connect through Adriene's site, social media, video comments, etc. One of my favorite things about YWA is that she offers a variety of series. One of the very first ways I got involved with the YWA community was through her 30 Days of Yoga. She even has printable calendars available to help you follow along. There is something about knowing that you are part of a community getting on the mat every day (whether near or far) that feels really powerful. 

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And now a francophile bonus (just for fun), here's a link to Talk in French's list of 36 French words and phrases related to yoga. My yoga teacher talks about doing one yoga class in each place she travels to, and how much it gives her a sense of the community and culture. Maybe I will find myself in a yoga class in Paris this summer. That would be magnifique! 

I hope you found something here that spoke to you. I hope that the Yoga with Adriene community provides you with tools to help you live your best life as it has provided for me. I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments. :)

Warm wishes from me to you,

Lauren 

Wellness Wednesday (n°2): La Lavande

Lavender, one of my favorite flowering plants and aromas, is often associated with France. But my love for lavender goes beyond it's French connection. I have loved the scent of lavender for a long time, likely because my mom has been growing lavender in her herb garden and drying it for home decoration for many years. While I always enjoyed pinching the dried buds between my fingertips, releasing a burst of calming fragrance, it wasn't until my mom and I visited a local lavender farm in Eureka, MO* that I truly understood what an incredible plant lavender is. 

Lavender has many uses and benefits. It is said to relieve pain, reduce stress, alleviate anxiety & depression, and help you sleep among other things. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can also serve as a decongestant and reduce head aches. (Read more about the uses of lavender here.)

When I started taking yoga classes at my local studio, Yoga in Demun, I noticed the use of lavender to create an atmosphere of calm and relaxation. From oils to diffusers to eye pillows, lavender was an essential part of the yoga experience. I have also experienced lavender aromatherapy during a massage.

A very wise woman recently encouraged me to think about the power of smell when considering wellness. Scent has a powerful association with our memories. As lavender is attached to beautiful memories with my mom, the calming feeling of a yoga class, and the total relaxation of a massage, it is a scent I wanted to bring into my life often. Lavender brings me instant calm, and this is something we can all welcome more of into our busy, busy lives. 

Here are some of my favorite lavender products that I enjoy every day:

*Lavender home & body mist - I spray a little on my pillow before bed to help settle into a relaxing sleep.

*Lavender eye pillow - I place this over my eyes during Savasana (yoga's final resting pose), and also as I am falling asleep at night.  I also love to set this on my chest while I read. I enjoy the light pressure and the distance from the nose softens the scent.

*Lavender essential oil and diffuser - Perfect for filling any room with the scent of lavender. I especially love it in my room at night. The diffuser also lights up in fun colors. :) 

*Yogi Honey Lavender Stress Relief Tea - Awesome for taking five at work or right before bed - really perfect any time. 

*L'Occitane Aromachologie Relaxing Bath & Shower Gel - I use a little in the shower and take a few deep breaths, enjoying the scent. 

*EOS Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream, Lavender Jasmine - great scent, smooth and moisturizing feel

*Dove Advanced Care Deodorant in Lavender Fresh or Jason Calming Lavender Deodorant Stick for a natural option  

*Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap, Lavender - Because lavender has antibacterial properties, I use this to clean my make up brushes. You can find a mini size in the travel toiletries section at Target that is perfect for this. 

*J.R. Watkins Natural All Purpose Cleaner, Lavender - Even cleaning can be a soothing experience! 

*Bath & Body Works French Lavender 3-Wick Candle - A friend introduced this to me and the scent is incredible. A trip to Bath & Body Works will be happening for me soon! 

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I hope some of these lavender products will help invite a little calm into your life each and every day. 

Do you have any favorite lavender products? What other scents bring you calm? I would love to hear your responses in the comments!

Warm wishes and calm thoughts from me to you,

Lauren 

*Winding Brooke Estates in Eureka, MO was a beautiful lavender farm with a lovely shop where you could purchase many lavender gifts and goods. Unfortunately, due to Missouri weather conditions the Estate is no longer operating as it once was. Currently the owners are manufacturing products in Austin, Texas and looking into possibilities of farming lavender in Texas. You can still purchase their products from their new company name, Pure Botanicals LLC. 

Wellness Wednesday (n°1): Thank God it's Monday?!?!

The Sunday blues are a very real thing. It isn't that we don't enjoy our jobs or feel accomplished as we work through our to do lists and busy schedules. But Mondays can be challenging. It's difficult to relinquish the sweet freedom of the weekend and get back into a routine that offers fewer moments for relaxing and losing all track of time in favorite hobbies and activities. 

What if there was a way to kick the Sunday blues? To make Monday amazing? Luckily a few of my favorite podcasters explore this idea on their fun and engaging wellness podcast. Sisters Gretchen Rubin (you may know some of her best selling books such as The Happiness Project and Better Than Before) and Elizabeth Craft go live every Tuesday with a new episode of Happier (search Happier in the Apple iTunes store). Episode 48 explores the Sunday blues and gave me an incredible idea: plan something each Monday to look forward to. Plan to make Monday an amazing day. 

For me, these Monday plans don't have to be big. Some of the things I plan to make Monday amazing are quite small, but knowing I have something to look forward to when my alarm sounds to ring in the new week changes my outlook and sets me up for a great day and week ahead. 

Here are some ways I make Monday amazing:

1. Trader Joe's Almond Croissants 
These flaky, buttery, sweet treats bring the pâtisserie right to my apartment. They take 6-7 hours to rise, so I set one out on a sheet of parchment Sunday night. Then, I preheat and let bake while I am getting ready and brewing a fresh cup of coffee (Ronnoco hazelnut is my at home favorite). Knowing I have a delectable petit dejeuner ahead is just enough to put some extra pep in my Monday step.

2. Podcast and power walk with The Simple Sophisticate
Shannon Ables' podcast, The Simple Sophisticate, goes live every Monday. I always save the episode for a Monday afternoon walk as soon as I get home from work. It's the perfect treat to look forward to, it gets me moving in the fresh air, and it gives me a moment of mindfulness as I transition from work to home. 

3. Take a yoga class.
I am very fortunate to have a lovely studio, Yoga in Demun, just a block down the street. Monday nights offer a yoga for strength and flexibility that boost my strength both inside and out. 

These things are very simple, but they do so much for my outlook toward the new week. Other simple ways to make Monday amazing might include planning a coffee date with a good friend, setting aside time for a favorite Netflix episode, hitting the local library to check out new reads, etc. The sky is the limit. 

Do you have ways that you make Monday amazing? What are some new things you might try? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Warm wishes from me to you,

Lauren