Mama Glow founder and author of Own Your Glow: A Soulful Guide to Luminous Living and Crowning the Queen Within (Hay House), Latham Thomas shares how to run your queendom
We may have started the year off strong with a blueprint to make 2017 one of mastery. But along the way we’ve found ourselves slipping away from our goals, falling into old patterns and coasting. When we finally look up, we wonder, What can I do to get back on track? As a women’s wellness maven and doula, I have supported thousands of women on the brink of change. Though we think we aren’t doing enough, we are actually doing too much. I invite you to slow down, prioritize what matters most and make room for self-care.
Owning your glow is the art of being a fully expressed woman, accelerating a positive transformation from the inside out. There is never a better time than now. Here are a few easy-to-implement practices to help you hit the reset button so you can achieve your dreams in 2017:
USE YOUR VACATION DAYS
Our culture celebrates martyrdom. Working hard at the expense of your own well-being is usually the dominant message in the workplace. No matter how much you love your job, taking vacation is important. Having even one day off can provide a necessary reboot and the break in routine to jump-start a gratifying rest of the year.
MAP YOUR MONTHLY CYCLE
Menstruation is a sacred event that can deepen our intuition and solidify the self-nourishing continuum. Learn to honor your period and use it as an opportunity to rest, slow down, stay close to home and cherish yourself. Journal during this time to track your feelings and energy and discover patterns. In the days leading up to your menses, thin out your schedule. The womb is the hallowed passageway and a gateway to our creativity.
ROUND UP YOUR VISION DOULAS FOR SUPPORT
Create a system of assistance for where you are right now. In the birth tradition, the doula is a woman whose role is to mother the mother. She serves as a grounding emotional and spiritual aid for the woman who is transitioning, or crossing the threshold into motherhood. Your vision doulas fulfill the same role—to be a sensitive, divine supporter or friend who guides you in birthing your aspirations.
PRACTICE CONFESSIONS OF LIGHT
Expressing gratitude gives you a chance to improve how you speak about inspiration and acknowledge people who have made a favorable mark on your life. We should know how blessed we are when faced with the biggest challenges and smallest triumphs. Showing gratefulness also makes our army of angels feel appreciated and connected to their purpose in service. Make a short list of people who have helped you along the way and reach out to thank them.
TAKE A FAST FROM THE PHONE
It’s really easy to get caught up in social media, texting and digital chatter. Research suggests that our phones actually contribute to our anxiety. Tune out everything for one day—perhaps a Sunday. Can’t do a full day? Then try half a day. Use those hours to be with yourself or with those you love, or do things you enjoy.
ESTABLISH A GLOW TIME
Self-care has become a buzzword, but it’s a critical aspect of reclaiming your queendom and being happy and maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself. We must protect ourselves by erecting boundaries to filter what we let into our lives. We are often so focused on hustling that we forget to attend to our needs for rest and retreat. Set up a ritual so you can remember: This could be getting a massage, doing yoga, meditating, having a pedicure, reading a great book or taking a nice hot bath by candlelight. Make glow time a regular part of your routine.
This article originally appeared in the October 2017 issue of ESSENCE.
