We breathe all day, every day, 365 days a year. It happens all the time, whether we are paying attention to it or not. As important, as vital, as it is to life; it is almost a non-event, something we take for granted, going on without our concentration. Now reader, I invite you to focus on your breathing with the intention of feeling calmer. Pause, tune-in, take slow deep breaths - all the way in, feel your tummy rise, all the way out, feel your body soften. Repeat…

After a few rounds, you’ll feel steadier, more present. Keep going and your nervous system will calm, stress and anxiety will reduce and your racing mind will slow down. The process is the same as always - air in, air out. But it’s your intention that changed everything.

Here’s another one for you - I rarely set an alarm unless I have an early morning plan. I wake, amble around, make breakfast. I do some work. Later in the day I walk the dogs. Same every day. Very ordinary, nothing special.

Now let’s say I set the intention to have an easeful day, to go at my own pace. I consciously don’t set my alarm, I’m choosing to sleep until I’m ready to wake. I have a slow morning following my natural energy levels. Later that day I whistle to the dogs and we head off into the fresh, clean air, no phone, no place to be, our time to roam, to be free amongst the trees or dunes, to be immersed. The same day, now feels completely different because I intended it to be so.

When we decide to do something, focus on it and set a purpose or intent behind it, it elevates the ordinary to the note-worthy. Humdrum actions into little acts of self-care or kindness and contentment. I began September exhausted. Half-way through a house move, feeling physically broken. Pains all over my body. My bank account descimated from the purchase and renovations. I craved the holiday I would not get, no break away to disconnect from a busy summer of work, no down-time. Facing into the remainder of the move, dealing with some tough personal stuff, worries about my dog Molly and procrastinating on preparations for one of my busiest work seasons ahead.

I couldn’t escape to the sunshine as I often would this time of year and though excited for my new home, I felt stuck and burnt-out. So I set an intention to do one little thing every day for myself that made me feel nourished.

Over September I’ve had two seaweed baths in Ballybunion with friends, a massage in Ballygarry (great voucher gift!). A long lazy lunch that turned into a glorious day with D&F in my new place. Early morning walks in Glanageenty with the witches :) Brunch with Jason in my favourite spot, Lizzie’s Little Kitchen. I’ve had deep and meaningfuls with a very wise woman that clear my head. Acupuncture to restore Qi balance. I’ve sat in the woods listening to the trees crackle and creak as the pines sway in the breeze that ruffles their spiny peaks. I hung a hammock and rocked gently watching the light fall from the day. Tuesday mornings I dial into Zoom for a creative writing course. A cinema date with myself and a bag of warm, salty popcorn. Decluttered and let go of lots of stuff that was crowding my cozy home. I made a door wreath from willow, ferns and pine cones. Wandered around the new Flea Market in Milltown listening to jazz. I took daytime naps before evening classes. Ohhed and ahhed in delight at Culture Night’s fire show as we chatted idly with bystanders. Learned how to use a dslr camera - something I’ve wanted to do for ages. Hosted a mini housewarming and took the following day off and did nothing but the wash-up, ate leftover slowcooked veggie chilli, napped and a wild and windy beach walk before heading to teach classes. Booked a ticket for a Dingle Food Festival Workshop. Driving along the twilight clad road watching the red tail lights on my way to work each evening, I remind myself how much I enjoy seeing kind faces sitting around me on yoga mats - how lucky I am.

I’m ready to welcome October now, feeling more rested and cared for than I have in a while. Had I not set that intention, I’d have pushed through September, exhausted, on autopilot, with knawing worries about what lay ahead and how I was going to manage. It all changed when I set my intention to do one little thing, every day, just for me. I will continue to nurture this, to create an Autumn I am looking forward to.

And so I encourage you to set your intention too, because it really does matter.

“we are what we think

all that we are arises with our thoughts

with our thoughts we make the world” ~ Buddha

Thank you for reading, please feel free to comment below if you like to share your thoughts or intentions and you are welcome to share this blog with others too (I’d really appreciate that).

Le grá,

Maeve x