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I don’t know about anyone else, but life has been life’ing for me lately.

Since my birthday in early March, it seems like one tough lesson after the next.

It started by having to say goodbye to our sweet girl Allie; then my husband had to travel across the world for work for multiple weeks while we were both grieving, as well as a myriad of other stressors.

The last three months have been a lot, to say the least. And look, I am the first person to admit that life isn’t always sunshine and roses. I know fully well that the good parts cannot exist without the bad. We need the dark times in order to appreciate the light times. But, that doesn’t make the tough times any easier.

When I am deep in a challenging time, all I want to do is hide. I want to sit on my couch and watch mind-numbing TV so I don’t have to think about anything (although there’s nothing wrong with that!). But I found myself not wanting to write or read any inspirational books; I was over it all.

This ends up being a vicious cycle when I stop doing the things that make me feel good because I let my anxiety get the best of me, which makes me feel even worse. I let go of all my healthy and positive routines in favor of distracting myself at all hours of the day. I spend too much time on my phone and I give way too much energy into all those insecurities that pop in my head.

But the truth is, the reason why I do those healthy habits and routines is exactly for times like these. When life feels like too much and all I want to do is pull the covers over my head. See, it’s easy to have your productive morning routine when life is going your way. It’s easy to eat healthy and exercise when you’re feeling energized. The real self-work is when you do these things when everything is against you. That’s real self-care.

I was talking to a friend who was also feeling this way, and that’s when it clicked. If I have all these things in my toolkit that I know make me feel my best, why do I ignore them when I need them the most? How can I kickstart my healthy habits when it feels impossible? This is when I found the easiest and most accessible thing for me to feel energized again: abundance!

I’m not talking about abundance in terms of having endless money or designer bags, like every influencer wants you to believe. I mean an abundance of life in general, an abundance of energy, an abundance of creative expression and happiness. When you feel abundant with life, taking care of yourself mentally and physically will be second nature. You’ll know that there’s too much life to experience to not feel your best.

So today I’m sharing with you 11 unique ways to feel more abundant and your best self. Abundance is not about having the Instagram-perfect life or huge bank account; abundance is about feeling fully alive on this beautiful planet. So if you’re ready for a reset and want to get back to feeling yourself, this article is for you. Come back to it anytime you feel like you’re in a rut!

11 ways to feel fully alive during life’s challenges:

1. Do a gratitude blitz.

Gratitude is the fastest way to get yourself out of a rut. When you can look around at all the amazing things you have, no matter how small, you’ll realize there is a lot to be grateful for. Social media has kept us in constant comparison mode, making it seem like everyone else has it all together and we are the unlucky ones. But when you look at your own life and all that you’ve created, you’ll realize that you are the lucky one. Take 10 minutes and write down every possible thing you are grateful for, from the food you eat to the clothes you wear. You will quickly see just how abundant you already are.

2. Cook a fancy meal.

Next time you’re feeling stuck, get out that cookbook that’s collecting dust on your shelf and cook yourself a fancy meal. I always like to put on my favorite YouTube channel when I cook to make it a whole experience. Whenever I make delicious food for myself it always feels like the ultimate act of self-care. Reminding myself how lucky I am to have an abundance of fresh food to eat. When your mind wants to keep you in a scarcity mindset, start by nourishing your soul and body and realize how good you can feel.

3. Go for a distraction-free walk.

I will say this until I am gone from this Earth: walking is one of the most underrated activities for your mental and physical health. I love walking because it’s the easiest way to get me out of a rut and quiet any anxiety swirling in my head. When you physically move your body, you are also moving that stuck, anxious energy out of you. Try going for a distraction-free walk, leave your phone at home, and simply notice all the nature around you. Notice the new flowers growing or the birds flying overhead or even how many leaves are on one tree. You’ll see just how beautiful and abundant nature is and be reminded that your life is a miracle.

4. Slow down time.

Okay, it would be nice if we could actually slow down time, but here is a little trick I like to do when I am feeling burnt out and hopeless. I slow down time and remind myself that I am exactly where I need to be. How do I do this? Well it looks like me grabbing a hot drink and watching a movie or reading a book. It sounds simple, but when was the last time you allowed yourself an abundance of time without feeling guilty? Without feeling like you “should” be more productive or crossing off your to-do list? The constant pressure to be achieving something is what leads us to resentment and feelings of scarcity. So next time your mind is stuck in a loop, slow down time and show yourself that there’s nowhere else you need to be except here and now.

5. Call someone you care about.

Phone calls seem to be a thing of the past; I know I’m guilty of thinking that way. I know that after spending all day on the computer and virtual meetings, the last thing I want to do is pick up a phone. But I find that this leads to even more anxiety and feelings of dread when I am not connecting to people that I care about. Make that call you’ve been putting off or just reach out to a friend to see how they are doing. Human connection will show you just how much love you have around you.

6. Reorganize your space.

Just like the mind needs a restart, so does your space! I think most people need to pay more attention to how much their physical space influences their internal world. If you look around and only see clutter and an unkempt living space, it will be hard to feel calm and settled. If it feels too overwhelming to overhaul your house, start small. Pick up items as you go throughout your day and put them back in their place. This helps you keep your space clear and organized while not feeling like you have to spend hours doing it. I also recommend reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. After reading it through, I helped my parents declutter and sell their home after 30 years of living there. By organizing your space, you are reminded of the abundance of possessions you own and the amazing life you’ve created for yourself.

7. Write down your favorite memories.

Want a fast way to feel abundance and full of life? Write down your favorite memories. When was the last time you actually wrote something in a journal or on a piece of paper? Writing is an amazing practice to get present and connect to yourself. Even better when you can look back on fond memories and have them forever written in ink. Unfortunately, it’s so easy to forget memories as time moves on and we get lost in our daily schedule. Having pictures is great of course but being able to write memories in terms of the tiny details, the people you shared it with, the emotions you felt, is truly amazing. Start a journaling practice today and remind yourself of the incredible journey you’ve had thus far.

8. Write a letter to your future self.

While we are on the topic of writing, here’s another favorite exercise of mine that always leaves me feeling excited about life. Write a letter to your future self about the life you wish to create. Detail your daily life in the present tense, like you’re currently living it. This will signal to your subconscious mind that this is the reality you want to work toward, and life will start making it happen for you. This is manifesting 101 right here. And this is just a fun exercise to dream big; nothing is off limits. Writing down all your goals and dreams for life will give you a sense of newfound joy and wonder for how amazing life is and can be.

9. Start noticing synchronicities.

This is one of my favorite tips because it is easy to do and accessible to everyone. When was the last time you looked up from your phone and looked around? When was the last time you paid attention to your physical surroundings, without running through your to-do list in your mind? When you take time to be in the present moment and tune in, you’ll notice the synchronicities and magic all around you. Synchronicities like seeing repeating numbers, hearing a certain word multiple times, and noticing your spirit animal, are there to remind you that there is an abundance of magic is all around. Life is not an accident; the things that happen to you are there for a reason. These little signs and patterns show you that you are on the right track and you are never alone; the Universe is always guiding you. Start taking note of the signs you see and you’ll soon realize that life is happening for you, at every moment.

10. Move your body.

We spend so much of our day in our heads that our body is often forgotten about. We spend our days sitting in chairs and looking at screens, while the body is craving movement and freedom. Want a way to feel an abundance of health? Move your body any way that makes you happy! I absolutely love to walk; it is my main form of movement and also helps me sort through my anxiety when it shows up. When I move my body, I always feel happy because I am reminded of the miracle of life and the fact I get to live on this amazing planet. It’s so easy for us to get caught up in our insecurities with the endless ads about not being good enough. But when you move your body, you’ll realize how much of a privilege it is to be alive and healthy, no matter what you look like. What’s your favorite way to move?

11. Feel an abundance of wealth, no money is required!

Here’s a little secret about feeling wealthy: having lots of money is not a requirement. See, the term wealthy represents a feeling and an energy that you carry. It has nothing to do with material possessions. You can tap into this wealthy energy by realizing you have everything you need in this moment. You are wealthy in health, love, time, freedom, happiness, and all the ways mentioned in this article. Feeling wealthy and abundant is actually how you attract more amazing things into your life; you’ll be a magnet for endless possibilities. Don’t know where to start? Grab your journal and list out all the great things in your life, big and small. You’ll soon realize that you are the wealthiest person in the world and anything is possible for you.

So next time you are feeling hopeless or stuck in a rut, come back to this article. These 11 ways to feel abundant and alive are free and accessible to everyone.

We get so caught up in our schedules and our insecurities that we often forget that life is truly a miracle. You were brought onto this planet for a reason; why not enjoy the time you have? Abundance is a feeling, not a bank account. Feeling abundant with life is the fastest way to genuine happiness and a sense of purpose.

How will you feel abundant today?

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