Welcome back to your New Moon Renewal with The Agenda.Period! As the world continues spinning, the overwhelm can make us freeze, and we can ramp up in anxiety, spending and stress. But what if there was a different way? Could we explore how we can bring soul sanctuary into our time and month?

First, set the mood: 

Do you need to head out to the park by your house, or climb into your closet or cozy bed? Grab a journal and some coloring goodies. Even burning a candle or incense can help your mind signal to your body that you are allowed to relax and settle in. Allow yourself this time to get settled and not feel like other things are a priority for 15 minutes.

Centering:

Take a couple of minutes to sit in quiet. Music can also help set the tone, For today, I recommend this to play in the background as it’s beautiful relaxing music without ads. Check-in with yourself. How does your body feel? You can shake out if you need to, sometimes getting the tension out of your body needs to be moved or stretched out. Try to breathe from your stomach instead of your chest. By placing your hands on your stomach it is easier to know when you are breathing deeply, as your hands will move with your breath. Any thoughts that come into your mind, acknowledge them and let them pass. Give yourself permission to just be in this moment, and not have to do for anyone, including yourself.

When you feel centered in your body you can read on:

Journal:

What does sanctuary mean to you? Sanctuary can also mean rest, refuge, or a place of safety like a nature reserve. Where have you found sanctuary in your life?

Creative Endeavor:

We can find soul sanctuary in a few places.
Faith: Whether this is a meditation practice, belief in God or the divine or your own path of belief in the world. Having truths or guiding principles can give us space to rest and take heart in when the world can feel upside down.

Things/places: Soft blankets, a forest near your house, a room in your grandma’s house, or a memento from a happy memory.

People: This could be a best friend, a partner, a parent, or a friend who gives good encouragement or a listening ear. Having people we can trust, or feel like we can let our guard down around can help us feel like we belong.

Moments: Activities like reading a book, making cookies, watching a sunset with a loved one, or laughing with family can create moments that feel like they pause time.

If you were to draw a visual ‘sanctuary’ as a representation of where you find sanctuary in your life, what does it look like? Is your foundation made of your faith and family? Are your windows that let light in good books and a best friend? Do you have a garden in the back that is created of little projects you do just for fun?

Journal:

Look at both your drawn sanctuary and the four ways you can find soul sanctuary. What are three ways you can weave in sanctuary moments purposefully into your schedule this upcoming week and month? Could it be 15 minutes to read before bed, or making hot chocolate in the morning just because?

Things to think about:

*When everyone else is getting spun up with anxiety, how can you ground yourself or seek out sanctuary? *If you feel selfish by creating and carving out time for yourself then check out this article about how to know if you are being selfish, or just standing up for your needs.
*Sanctuary is one of the first things to fall off our list when we are busy. Can you tell a difference in how you react when you don’t schedule it in?

Book recommendations:

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Outer Oder, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin

Each month we’ll release a New Moon Renewal for you to discover something new about yourself; learn about your cycle, and take a moment to pause, breathe, and reflect.

Aj Smit is the author of the book Red Thread: Weaving an Embodied Life of Joy, speaker, glitter enthusiast, and professional weaver of Joy. She is a military spouse with a pup, house plants galore, living in S. Korea. Aj has led various Red Tents, retreats, and workshops internationally over the last ten years to help others discover how to weave creativity and curiosity into their lives. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram at @TheJoyWeaver and at TheJoyWeaver.com