the perks of being uprooted

gold nuggets in ungrounded times

Advice from a tree: stand tall and proud. Go out on a limb. Remember your roots. Drink plenty of water. Be content with your natural beauty. Enjoy the view.

Ilan Shamir

I am currently staying in my friend’s apartment where I arrived late from teaching with an agenda of making dinner, finishing this write up, packing again to move my belongings again early in the morning after teaching a class, preparing to travel again to Bali in the evening after filming more YouTube videos.

Although I know that this circumstance is partly my own doing, the act of completing said tasks without a solid place to call home [yet] can feel tremendously draining on the body, mind, and heart.

I have written recently on my various experiences with bouncing around a lot this past year: lessons from France, thoughts on belonging, working with all of the feelings, what it means to discover yourself, finding joy in the moment, practicing knowing in the unknown.

When I told a friend that I felt a bit guilty complaining and grieving over this uprooted phase of my life, he reminded me not to compare myself to someone who might have it worse than I do. It is important we feel and acknowledge and learn from all of our emotions instead of pushing them away, only to find them jump out from behind a bush and smack us upside the head later.

And so yes – I am certainly allowing myself to feel, but not without recognizing the silver lining that has coated this physical, mental, and existential journey.

Here are a few gold nuggets that have revealed themselves in a time where the ground beneath my feet has felt unstable; the terrain a bit sketchy and uncertain:

• Support from others. Whether it is one solid friend, family member, pet, or several people – it is such a gift to feel held and seen by others who are rooting for you. Let them be there for you; learn from them so you are equipped to support others when they need it too.
• Physical and mental stamina. Although there is also instability in this area, the test of moving, organizing, packing, coordinating and so on has made me feel like I can take on whatever is thrown at me next. Although I do crave the day when I settle somewhere, I do trust that things will work out in time. In the meantime, I also trust that I am strong enough to move through it all.
• Adaptability. I have learned to cook in many new kitchens, navigate new neighborhoods, figure out new locks and keys and locate laundromats. I feel confident and comfortable now landing somewhere and cultivating a sense of home without too much of a struggle [depending on the day…], relatively quickly. Marie Forleo says: everything is figure-out-able.
• Patience and compassion. I like to be in control as much as I can, and because so much has felt out of my control this year, I have done my best to be more patient and compassionate with myself. Things might not turn out the way I expected [sometimes they are even better!] or take longer than I had planned; I have days where I feel hopeful followed by days where I feel down. Everything belongs, everything works out in time [so long as we trust that it will], and I am doing a great job [even when I feel like I’m not]. I offer the same encouragement to you.
• New faces and places. We can learn so much from one another, wherever we are in the world, if we are open and willing to listen. Yes, it can be exhausting to remember names and directions, but it is also exhilarating to connect with a like minded soul or place that we may have never come across had we not been removed from our comfort zone. I am doing my best to embrace it as often as I can, even if I feel wary in between.
• Learning to trust. I have always had what I needed to survive, so why would this situation be any different? Even when I feel uncertain, deeply know in my heart that the Universe has my back. I trust I am exactly where I need to be, even if it hurts a little for the moment.
• Setting intentions. I am learning to get really clear about what I want, because when our minds direct energy toward the things we desire, it is more likely to come into fruition in some way, shape or form. It feels good to take mindful, purposeful actions toward what will make me feel my best, and also to release my anxieties around controlling the outcome [see above re: trust, and patience/compassion].
• Paring down. Shedding what is no longer needed. Living within my means. Being grateful for what I have versus what I don’t have. Recognizing that I have everything we need. Learning how to loosen my grip on material items and keep what means the most/what is necessary.

All in all, we have choices to make. This does not necessarily mean we should be an ultra-positive cheerleader during the process [if you are: good for you], nor does it mean we should stay in bed and mourn our losses all day [if you do: there is nothing wrong with you]. For me, the perks of being uprooted involve everything in between the struggles and the pleasant surprises, allowing all of it to arrive and exist as teachers.

When we are ready to work with the lessons that appear, they will be there for us. When we feel the momentary need to say a big F You and go get ice cream, that is equally as necessary. We ebb and flow, fall and get back up, and eventually find a steady stream on which to float.

What have you learned from moments of feeling uprooted or out of your element, whether desirable or not?

Read the newsletter for Ayurvedic veggie bowl inspiration, YouTube channel details, a guided meditation, nourishing discounts, good tunes and good vibes.

Photo by Grant Henry Media at Yoga Vida USQ.