I’ve just returned from several weeks travelling in North America. The space to think, observe new things, people and contexts, and to be curious was so embraced. Here is what I have learnt that resonated as most important.

TWC, Wellbeing Whisperer, wellbeingNarelle LemonAugust 17, 2023kindness, wellbeing whisperer, wellbeing, wellness, present, present momentComment

Supporting ourselves: Lessons from yoga for our writing

Like yoga, approaching writing and how one begins the process is important. Scaffolding the process is central, as to preparing for writing. Here are some questions I ask myself.

Small acts of self-care: Green tea refills are required

Self-care can be seen as a repertoire of practices – different things you can do that help you care for you, no matter how small. It is those small acts, often that we forget about or dismiss, that can be incredibly powerful. Repeated over time they become a habit that is empowering for you. My small self-care act is savouring a green tea.

April as a month to value yourself

This month is all about valuing yourself. I’ve created a monthly calendar that lays out some daily inspiration via intentions, reminders to self, questions and things to leave in last week actions.

Caring for ourselves and each other as we return to campus

Teaching 2021 is starting back again here in Australia. It will be a year and one week since I last taught in a room that is not my lounge or spare bedroom and on campus! I’m pretty excited actually. I love the energy in a room and the additional layer of social connection that is achievable away from screens. But, I know my excitement is not experienced by others.

Gaining a sense of control: Finding you again

It’s mid Feb and there are an enormous amount of lockdowns happening right now. Like many of us, the sense of control, or lack thereof is very much present. Let’s connect to our sphere of control for covid…and our academic work.

Making and counting stitches: Holding a space for yourself when you are all zoomed out

I don’t know about you, but I’m all zoomed out! 2020 has had us working in different ways, connecting virtually...well, all of the time. More screen time has been one major feature for most of us. I’ve always thought of my time in different ways - green, screen, me and down time. As I've navigated what down time can look like for me I've explored different ways to do this. You have probably found this as well.

Mindful walking as one daily act of self-care: Meditation54321

Every day I go for a walk. I walk to feel the fresh air on my skin, to smell nature and to notice beautiful things around me. I also walk to pause. To pause, stop, refresh and renew. On my walk I’ve been noticing new things, and I’ve been sharing these on social media as a way to share my pause and pass it on to others.

Why is self-care a dirty word? Rewiring our reactions and interpretation of self-care

I thought perhaps we had moved forward in our notions of self-care and that indeed we require care for our self in order to care for others. Maybe not?

mindfulnessNarelle LemonFebruary 22, 2019self-awareness, selfcare, self-care, care, compassion, self-compassion, mindfulness, present, workplace, communityComment

What does being in the moment really mean? The art of the pause.

As our brain is hardwired to think and get lost in our ruminations, being present is about noticing what you are doing, thinking, being, saying at this very moment in time.

What happens when we freak others out when overusing our strength of creativity? 4 tips to shift the experience

When we overuse our strength of creativity, we can freak others out! What can be energising and motivating for some of use can be the driect opposite for others. Let’s explore 4 tips that will help connect everyone in this situation.

Mindfulness helps us with the how of using our strengths

When we are mindful we better use our strengths. Mindfulness offers the how for the practice of strengths . It reminds us of being intentional.

one word: the power of a mantra to reconnect us to our why

When you have a little saying or a supportive word you tell yourself regularly you can view these as a mantra, that is a statement or slogan that energizes and centres you.

mindfulness, ResourcesNarelle LemonSeptember 5, 2018mantra, one word, present, aware, motivation, mindful, energyComment

7 mindful tips to overcome performance anxiety in the workplace

Is my face red? Is my voice wavering? How will I survive this presentation with everyone looking at me? Nearly every one of us has had one or more of these thoughts when under pressure to perform in the workplace as we lead a team, give a pitch, or even speak in front of others.

A boundary setting experiment: Honouring my and others time to support innovation and inspiration

I have embarked on an experiment to see how I can look at how I use my time and reduce my work hours but also honour the best parts of the day that work for me for creative and think time.

Digging deeper into boundary setting: questions to help you

If we are being present with a boundary setting, then we need to be present with the process.

Mindful connection to the everyday

Mindfulness is not just about meditation. Although a wonderful practice, or strategy if you like

How yoga reminds me of writing

As the year progresses and the end of the year comes closer (I heard someone talk about how many days to Christmas just the other day, yikes!)

Mindful Building

Everyone has a horror story it seems about building works and renovations to one’s home. My mindfulness is being challenged with the return of a builder to our home to complete work unfinished and that should have been addressed some time ago.

I'm not creative! Think again, any problem can be approached through creative thinking

When we are mindful of creating opportunities in our daily life to be creative.