7 Mindful Ways to Stay Present Without Meditation

Meditation is a powerful tool for staying present and focused, but it's not the only way to achieve a state of mindfulness. In fact, there are many ways to stay present without meditation, and incorporating these practices into your daily life can help you lead a more mindful and fulfilling life. In this blog post, we'll be exploring 7 ways to stay present without meditation, including taking a walk in nature, practicing mindfulness while eating, engaging in a hobby, using your senses, taking a break from technology, practicing gratitude, and yoga and stretching. Whether you're new to mindfulness or a seasoned practitioner, these techniques can help you become more present in your life and lead to a greater sense of well-being.

1. Take a walk in nature: Immersing yourself in the beauty of nature can help you tune out distractions and become more present in the moment. Whether it's a hike through the woods or a stroll through a park, taking a walk in nature can be a great way to clear your mind and focus on the present.

2. Practice mindfulness while eating: Eating is something we do multiple times a day, and it can be easy to rush through meals without really paying attention to what we're eating. Practicing mindfulness while eating, by paying attention to the flavors, textures, and smells of your food, can help you become more present in the moment.

3. Engage in a hobby: Engaging in a hobby that you enjoy can be a great way to become more present in the moment. Whether it's painting, knitting, or playing a musical instrument, immersing yourself in an activity that you enjoy can help you tune out distractions and focus on the task at hand.

4. Use your senses: Engaging your senses can be a great way to become more present in the moment. Try paying attention to the sounds around you, the sensation of the ground beneath your feet, or the smell of the air. Focusing on your senses can help you tune out distractions and be present in the moment.

5. Take a break from technology: Technology can be a major distraction, and it can be easy to get caught up in the constant stream of notifications and emails. Taking a break from technology, even for just a few minutes a day, can help you become more present in the moment and focus on what's happening around you.

6. Practice gratitude: Practicing gratitude can help you appreciate the present moment and become more present in your life. Take a few minutes each day to think about the things you're grateful for, and try to focus on the present moment.

7. Yoga and stretching: Yoga and stretching are great ways to become more present in the moment. The focus on your breath and your body can help you tune out distractions and focus on the present. Even a few minutes of stretching or yoga can help you become more present in the moment.

   These are just a few examples of how to stay present without meditation. Everyone is different, so try different strategies and see which works for you. Remember that staying present is a practice, and it requires effort and patience to get better.

5 Ways to Practice Self-Love

Self-love and intentional self-care's really something that one has to work hard at daily. It's not just about reading books and blog entries; it's also about actually putting what you learn into practice. There are a ton of rituals, videos, quotes, etc., out there to assist with this process. Once I decided to start this journey, I found a few things that worked for me, so I figured this was a great time to share. There will be many more posts centered around doing what makes you feel good and raising your vibration. In the meantime, here are a 5 things you can do to help start your self-love and self-care practice.

1. Journal... I don't know how to not journal. This is something I've been doing for as long as I can remember. Journaling is the easiest way to work through whatever issues you're currently dealing with—as well as things you've been holding on to from the past. You can write as if you're planning on putting this stuff in a book, or you can just let it flow. No need to be concerned about punctuation, spelling, or grammar. This is your personal therapist. Try it. I bet you'll feel ten pounds lighter once you're done. Journaling doesn't have to be a daily practice.  Do this as you please. I personally aim for at least once a week, or whenever I need to vent. I'm obsessed with picking the perfect journals. I literally have to be in love with my journals in order to write in them, it's really weird. So yeah, make sure you pick a good one and start journaling!

2. Affirmations... Ah, good old affirmations. This came into my life back in 2008 when my uncle sent me a few books to help me get through a rough patch. One book in particular entitled, "The Game of Life," had a ton of affirmations for basically everything—work, money, love, resentment, you name it! I used these affirmations daily. I wrote them down on post it's and placed them all over my room. All I can say is don't knock it until you try it! I was a bit pessimistic, and doubted the power of affirmations, but I was proven wrong. You can google affirmations for any particular situation or buy a book filled with them. I find that writing my own has been really helpful. It feels more personal. A great way to begin writing affirmations is just to start off with "I am" followed by whatever you feel you're not. Take the most negative thing you often say about yourself and make it the opposite of that. For example, turn "I'll never be rich," into "I am rich." Always make it in the present never the future. You absolutely have to believe and know that you have whatever it is you desire right now—claim it! Make it a part of your daily practice to write your affirmations/say them daily.

3. Meditate... To  some, this may seem mundane and boring. I mean, who wants to sit still and try not to think, right? Talk about a snooze fest! That was my view on meditating when I first started, but once I got into it, there was no turning back. It's all about maintaining a clear and open mind. You just have to make it fun and do what works for you. Use crystals. Find guided meditations with music to help keep you focused. Challenge yourself, start off by doing 5 minutes a day and work you way up. Use one of your affirmations as your focus. Whenever you find your thoughts drifting, go right back to focusing on your breathe/affirmation. Meditating will change your life.

4. Exercise... Movement is so necessary. Any form of vigorous activity is better than none. Exercise is a great way to release endorphins which helps reduce stress and depression. All you need is 20-60 minutes out of your day to get moving. No gym membership? No problem. Go for a walk/run around your neighborhood, take a dance class, subscribe to fitness gurus on YouTube—the options are endless. You really don't need a gym. As long as you stay active that's all that matters.

5. Stay positive... When things aren't going your way it's so easy to want to stay in a funk—to just be sad/cry. At the end of the day, we are human. It's okay to feel! There is power in vulnerability—allowing yourself to feel creates balance. But what's even more powerful is positive thinking and being able to see the good in a negative situation. It's all about reprogramming your brain to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. What I listed above are great ways to help get you in a more positive mindset. I also highly recommend practicing gratitude. Say thank you daily, for all that you have and for all that you've yet to receive. Write these things down, talk about it with your friends and family. You'll see how quickly a shift in your focus will not only help your inner world but you'll see a shift in your outer world as well—these things are not separate.

xoKesaine

Attitude of Gratitude

From an early age, many of us were taught to say “thank you” as a way of being polite. We didn’t always know what it truly meant, but of course, we said it because it was the right thing to do. It’s usually said when something is given to us or when someone does something for us. But have you ever thought about saying thank you when you’ve lost your job, experienced heartbreak, or when things just aren’t going your way? If someone had asked me this question several years ago, my answer would have been a definite “no.”

Over time, I’ve learned how important it is to remain in a constant state of gratitude. One way to think of it is that every little thing that happens is on purpose. Every experience has a lesson to teach you. Be thankful for all that you have…and all that is yet to come.

Shifting your thoughts only takes a second. Once you notice yourself complaining, pause and think of everything you have to be grateful for. Write it down if you need to. Expressing gratitude consistently opens the door for even more things to be grateful for. Set an intention to give thanks at all times…slowly but surely, gratitude will begin to change your perspective and your attitude.

“When you change the way you look at things…the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

xo,
Kesaine

How Astrology Kick-Started My Self Discovery and Self Love Journey

My love for astrology began in my teens when I came across a very popular book in my aunt’s library called The Book of Birthdays. I found so much of what I read about the characteristics of people born on my birthday to be accurate. From that moment, I was convinced astrology was real. Reading about the personality traits of myself, friends, and even lovers based on their birthdays became a habit…I was hooked. I had one or two friends who knew a little more than I did, and we would dive into long conversations about the differences between each sign whenever we got together. At the time, I had no idea that just knowing someone’s sun sign was barely scratching the surface of astrology. But even that little bit opened my mind, and I was ready to learn more.

Fast forward to my mid-20s. I had just graduated college and had no clue what my next move would be. The life I imagined for myself wasn’t happening, and I fell into a deep depression. There were moments I wanted to give up entirely. But luckily, there’s a fighter in me. Even when I feel like quitting, a part of me refuses to let that happen. I realized that being down on myself wasn’t the way forward, so I decided to revisit some self-help books I had lying around. The first one I picked up was A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. That book literally changed my life and ignited the spiritual journey I’m still on today. I started making being present and observing my thoughts a daily practice.

This journey also sparked a burning desire to learn more about myself and cultivate what I was lacking most: self-love. I began to understand that my inner world was shaping my outer reality. I wanted to get to the root of my problems and make real changes in my life.

I began seeing an intuitive life coach who was incredibly gifted…but way too expensive for me. I was babysitting part-time, and most of what I earned went to sessions with her. That’s how dedicated…and maybe desperate…I was to get my life together. I managed to have four sessions where we explored why I am the way I am, my gifts, and how to use them. I left her office feeling amazing every time. One thing she told me I’ll never forget: my spirit, my guides, were always speaking to me, but I wasn’t listening. She suggested I carry a small journal in my handbag to jot down messages or ideas as they came…and I still do this to this day.

One day, while brainstorming ways to afford another session, a friend called, and we fell into our usual conversation about life and love. In the middle of it, spirit nudged me to look at my natal chart again. I was a frequent visitor of Cafe Astrology, and although I had read my chart before, I never realized it could actually guide me. That moment was eye-opening. Everything my life coach had shared was right there in my chart all along.

The same insights she was receiving from her guides were literally in my hands…I just hadn’t noticed. That confirmed she was incredible at her job, but I realized I didn’t need her anymore. I had the power to take control of my own life. We all have that power, though sometimes we depend too heavily on others to tell us what we already know.

From there, I began studying what I call the blueprint of my life. I was on a mission to fall madly in love with myself. My casual interest in astrology turned into an obsession, one I still nurture today. Every time I uncover something new, I fall deeper in love with this tool. I started reading charts for everyone I knew, eager to help them learn more about themselves, and if possible, guide them toward self-discovery, self-love, and self-healing.

Astrology became more than a hobby…it became part of my path, my mission, and one of the reasons I started this blog: to share my experiences and the tools I’m using on my ongoing journey of personal growth and self-love.

Your journey has to start somewhere. I hope it starts right here.

xo,
Kesaine

5 Simple Ways to Implement Energy Healing Daily

Sometimes it's essential to get professional help, but we are capable of so much healing on our own. There are things we can do daily to remain vibrant and strong in the present moment so we can be light to others. If you're not doing this already, there's no better time than now to add energy healing to your self-care routine.

Here are 5 simple energy healing techniques that you can use daily:

1. Ground (Be a tree)

The first thing I like to do in the morning is ground. It' so important to ground your energy. You can do this first thing in the morning as soon as your feet touch the ground, or while sitting in a chair. Be a tree. Feel roots extending from the base of your spine and into the earth below you. Imagine that the roots are connecting with the center of the earth and feel grounded, safe, and secure. Pull white light up from the earth into the body to raise your vibration.

2. Protect Your Energy (White Light)

We're constantly absorbing other people's energies. A great way to ensure that you're protected from negative energy throughout the day is to picture a bubble or shield of white light surrounding your energy field. You can use this shield at any time. I like to do this is in the morning while taking a shower. I find that applying a shield before leaving the house lifts my vibration and gives me the energy I need to face the day. While the shower's running I like to visualize a white light waterfall running from the shower head. It's best to close your eyes while standing under the water, feel the warmth, and picture a glowing white light washing away any unwanted energy while forming a bubble/shield as it washes over you.

3. The "Hookup" Technique (For Centering)

The next 3 techniques were created by Donna Eden, an energy medicine expert. The hookup technique is great for meltdowns. Start by placing the middle finger from one hand on your 3rd eye (the space between your brow). Next take your middle finger from the other hand and place it on your belly button with light pressure. Take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. You can hold for about 30 seconds, maybe longer if you feel that's right for you. When you're done, bring your hand to your thigh and rest. This exercise is really good for helping to calm the body. It's great to do if you're feeling anxious and you need to ground. It helps us to get centered within ourselves, get calm, and find peace.

4. The "OMG" Tool (Bring Down Stress Levels)

To do this technique you'll need to use both hands to cover your eyes while resting your thumbs on your temple, and your fingers on your forehead. While doing this, take deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth for as long as you need. Even prior to learning this energy tool, you may have attempted to bring down your stress levels by doing this technique before, but you probably didn't know why. When we're stressed blood flow is directed away from the brain, which makes it hard for us to think our way out of a situation. Holding these points until you feel a pulse draws the blood flow back and helps you calm down right away.

5. Figure 8's Around The Eyes (Emotional Release)

There are times where we're feeling stuck or have emotions lingering. We tend to hold on to things that happened in the past. One of the most powerful ways to release these emotions is to draw figure 8's around your eyes. Use two fingers to draw figure 8's and follow those fingers with your eyes only (without moving your head) while you think about the emotion. Whether it's grief, anger, or betrayal, you are going to bring the moment back to your mind and follow you fingers while doing so. Figure 8's are the most powerful energy symbol's in the world. The whole universe is based on figure 8 energetic patterns.

Work these techniques into your day-to-day routine and you'll be doing way more than you can imagine for yourself. The best part is it's all free!

xoKesaine