it's not yours to carry

Dear Reader,

In the latter half of last week, I found myself feeling off, scattered, and utterly exhausted, as if something just wasn’t quite right. Nothing had actually gone wrong, but when I paused to check in with myself, I realized I had taken on the energy of the environment and other people around me. I was carrying the weight of things that weren’t mine to hold.

In that moment, I needed to remind myself that not everything happening around me is mine to carry. The energy of others, the chaos of the world, the constant noise… it can be witnessed, but it does not need to be taken on. In that moment of recognition, I realized that I needed to slow down and protect my nervous system. As I moved through the end of the week, I worked to remind myself that not every opinion needs a reaction, and not every mood in the room belongs to me. The more I remained rooted in my own energy, the clearer my connection to my body and mind became.

This week, if you catch yourself tightening or reacting to what’s around you in a way that does not feel authentic to you, pause. Take a breath. Feel your feet on the ground and come back to your own center. This is the practice of mindfulness. Returning to yourself again and again until it becomes second nature.

Stay anchored. Stay aware. Stay with you.
Liz

Inspire | “Intuition literally means learning from within. Most of us were not taught how to use this sense, but all of us know well that 'gut' feeling. Learn to trust your inner feeling, and it will become stronger. Avoid going against your better judgment or getting talked into things that just don’t feel right.” Doe Zantamata

Listen | Love Is Letting Go by Ashe (feat. Diane Keaton) invites us into a space of surrender and softness, reminding us that true love often lies in simply releasing. May this melody accompany your breath, guiding you to let go, open up, and rest in what is. Thank you to Brittany (one of our teacher trainees and our fantastic studio manager) for introducing me to this song this weekend.

Try This | As autumn settles upon us, our bodies naturally crave more rest. The cooler, darker evenings signal a seasonal shift toward stillness, inviting us to slow down and restore energy depleted by summer’s activity. Take cues from your body and honor its need for more sleep by creating a gentle evening routine: dim the lights, sip a warm beverage, limit screens, and allow yourself to settle into rest a little earlier.

Where in your life can you release what isn't yours to carry?