10 Daily Practices That Are Helping Me to Stay Grounded
As I’ve talked with friends, family, and those we are caring for in this season, I’ve realized that we’re all making some unique discoveries about ourselves, our faith, and our priorities in these uncertain times.
Working from home or being laid off, trying to give our kids structure and at-home education, making more meals at home and getting creative with what we have available, college kids having to come home to finish their semester online, sanitizing and hand-washing, working essential jobs that place us in harm’s way, new grocery store protocol, stressing about loved ones getting sick or fears about our national and global economy have forced us to redefine our day-to-day.
But we’ve also had to confront grief, anxiety, trauma, fear, loneliness, and lack of resources. Our sense of security and control (most of which has been false all along…) has been shaken, shattered, and scattered.
That’s a lot to process, adjust to, and hold, friends.
A recent sunset outside our home in Northern CA
Upon reflection, I found that last week was a rollercoaster of emotions. I was obsessively checking the news, nervous about loved ones coming in contact with the virus, and afraid we wouldn’t be able to buy necessary items. I wasn’t sleeping well, and I was seeking distraction rather than the comfort and peace of Jesus. (Thankfully, I have a sweet and patient husband who has remained steady and calm in the face of crisis, for which I’m very grateful!)
But this week, after our state government issued a shelter-in-place order, I’ve been able to come out of the fog of disorientation, and settle into some new rhythms, practices, and habits. I feel as though God is truly extending a unique invitation to notice Him and depend upon Him. My feet feel like they’re on solid ground again, at least for the time being.
These are all habits I do rather imperfectly, and I’m allowing myself permission for that. I don’t do all of these each day, but these are the ones that have been the most helpful. I wanted to share them with you.
10 Practices that are Keeping Me Grounded:
READING SCRIPTURE BEFORE I LOOK AT MY PHONE IN THE MORNING.
I didn’t really start doing this until a few days ago, but my friends, this is making a HUGE difference in my days. Before looking at news updates, Instagram or Facebook, or checking email, I start by sitting up in bed and reading Scripture. Lately, I’ve been soaking in the Psalms, the Gospel of Matthew, and Colossians, and these words are taking on life for me like never before.
PRAYING THE DAILY OFFICE.
At 8am, noon, 6pm, and 8pm, I pause to pray, read scripture, and rest in the Lord’s presence. I’ve been using the Daily Prayer App, created by an Anglican Church in the Denver area. This is a prayer practice that’s been around for centuries, mostly among monastic communities and high-church traditions. We’ll touch on this practice some more in the very near future, if you’re curious. 🙂
NAMING FEARS AND RELEASING THEM TO GOD.
I’ve found that deeply-rooted anxieties will stay with me and gnaw at me for days and weeks if I don’t name them, say them out loud, and release them to the Lord in prayer. I confronted my deepest fear in this whole experience—that people I love could die—last week in a tearful conversation with Bryan, and I’ve felt a sincere and hopeful freedom since.
COOKING SOMETHING YUMMY.
Food is a love language in both my family of origin and in Bryan’s. My dad was a chef, so I learned a deep love for a delicious, home-cooked meal very early in my life. Baking cookies, throwing together our favorite enchiladas or Thai red curry, or trying a new recipe or two have been a delight. I’m getting real good at not wasting anything, too!
STAYING CONNECTED TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
This is huge. I’m an introvert, so being stuck at home is not so bad for me. But I need people, too. And I miss gathering as the church. Apps like Marco Polo, FaceTime, and Zoom have been a great blessing. It also doesn’t hurt that some of our best friends live just up the driveway, so we can have a lovely conversation outside, 6 feet apart of course.
TURNING OFF THE NEWS AND SOCIAL MEDIA WHEN I NEED A BREAK.
Last week, the inundation of information (and not all of it true or reliable) wore on my soul. Since then, I’ve limited my interaction with the news and tried to use social media as a place of connection rather than distraction and consumption.
SETTING A FEW PRIORITIES FOR THE DAY.
With so many of our ministry events canceled for the next several weeks, I’ve been given the gift of working on some things that have been on my to-do list for months. I’m taking advantage of this time by setting anywhere between 1 and 3 major priorities for each day, giving me a sense of purpose and structure. It’s also been freeing to release myself from the pressure to produce something that will change the world right now. Simple, daily priorities are all I’m going for here.
BREATH PRAYER.
This is a grounding prayer practice if ever there was one. More on this in our next blog post, as we start our series on prayer, so stay tuned!
TAKING CARE OF MY PHYSICAL SELF.
Going for walks at sunset, getting some time outside in the fresh air and sunshine, getting to bed at a decent hour, listening to the birds, and drinking lots of water. Ya’ll know the drill! It makes a huge difference.
CATALOGUING OUR LIBRARY.
We have a lot of books. And when I say a lot, I mean it. Bryan and I fell in love during seminary because of our shared love for books and reading, and our library has probably quadrupled since we first got married. Cataloguing our personal library is one of those major projects that’s taken us years to work on. When we get bored or restless, Bryan and I have been organizing and cataloguing our physical and electronic books, and it’s actually been hilariously nerdy and fun!
I shared a few of these on our Instagram stories the other day, and asked friends to share what they’re doing.
HERE ARE A FEW SUBMISSIONS FROM YOU!
Reading and praying Psalm 91, inserting first-person pronouns.
Keeping the house clean.
Listening to worship music.
Laughter.
Checking in on loved ones.
Focusing on what we have rather than what we don’t have.
Gratitude journaling.
Reading the Psalms.
Sharing resources.
Going for walks.
What grounding practices and habits are helping you in this season? Share them with us, and let’s keep finding ways to stay connected to the Lord Jesus, our neighbors and loved ones, and ourselves.