earthy things I’ve been enjoying lately
10 things that have brought me joy, improved my quality of life, and inspired me...
Here are 10 things that have brought me joy, improved my quality of life, and inspired me mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. They’re in no particular order.
One
Notion
What can I say? Notion has become a dear friend since late last year. I initially started using it for client portals and content, but it honestly took over my life, and I never knew software could be this regulating. As someone who’s obsessed with learning and synthesizing information in my own way, it has helped organize my chaotic, creative brain. For the first time, I can actually understand my own process, haha.
I love it so much that I decided to make a video on how I use it to create my prayer series, and maybe even a book in the future.
Two
Sunscreen
Sunscreen and I have never had a good relationship. I try to avoid harsh chemicals, and it’s always been hard to find one that actually feels pleasant on my skin. But I think I hit the jackpot. This one is affordable, glowy, and genuinely feels nice to wear.
Three
This book
This read has been so validating on the things that I intuitively knew and developed in my work. What I love about Feldenkrais is how he refuses to separate the body from the way we live, choose, perform, protect, and become ourselves. The idea of the “potent self” feels less like becoming more forceful and more like becoming less split inside: less “I should,” more “I want”; less bullying ourselves into action, more choosing from a place of clarity. I’ve read the digital copy, but had to have the hard copy around.
One note that really stayed with me:
“Orders to oneself should be given without willfulness, without tension, without bullying oneself and only for objectively valid reasons. Grown up must not treat themselves like they are children.”
Four
Vitex
This supplement isn’t new to me. I was first introduced to it when I decided to heal my PCOS naturally. I know I tend to have lower progesterone production, and lately I’ve been intuitively feeling like I may need more support, now that I’m in a peri-menopausal phase. I can definitely see it in my breast tissue.
I worked with a herbalist last year and they made a tincture from vitex. Shockingly, even though my body felt great, mentally I wasn’t feeling my best had too many rage episodes, hehe. I also tried yam cream and it had the same mental effect.
With this supplement, I noticed the same thing at first, so I decided to only take it during my luteal phase. That worked beautifully for my body. I feel a difference in my overall mood, my period symptoms, and my breast tissue texture. I also take iodine with it.
Five
Roses in my garden
I planted these roses last year and they almost died. I had no hope they’d make it to this year, but they not only survived, they’re thriving. They smell glorious, and every few days I pick one and bring it into my office. It feels luxury. I can’t wait to see them grow. They’re meant to crawl over the walls, so let’s see if that happens next year.
Six
XIAOMI Smart Band
I am sooooo late to the fitness watch game, which is ironic as someone who has been in the fitness world for this long. I always resisted because I didn’t like the idea of a watch telling me how I feel. But I was curious about the data and the long-term insights, and I wasn’t ready for a massive investment.
So I found this watch. It offers significantly more than I thought it would, looks sleek, and is very user-friendly. It has also been motivating to see the data.
Seven
Dating and her grandma Shirley’s stories
My friend Steph DeYoung started writing dating stories, often “consulting” her late grandma Shirley. They’re short and delightful, and I can’t wait to read them when the notification hits. It’s wholesome, fun, and genuinely intriguing to follow.
Eight
Astrology and somatic
I’m curious about astrology. Even though I don’t follow it all the time, I enjoy noticing the synergies between what’s happening in the cosmos and how it affects our earthy lives. Last month I discovered Dr. Jazz Nejat on YouTube, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. She brings somatic into astrology, which is music to my ears.
Nine
Colorful pens
I love writing. I have a giant red notebook that I write in every day, and for years I’ve used only one black pen (Pilot VBall 7). Writing doesn’t feel the same without it. Lately, though, I’ve been craving more colours, so I found something close enough to the same sensation I get with my black pen. It has been joyful, to say the least.
Ten
Back to gym
One of the greatest joys of my life has been movement, especially trying different things. After I moved to the UK (and through the whole COVID era), I couldn’t find a gym environment I actually enjoyed. That changed recently, I finally found my place.
I reconnected with that joy, and it gives me an excuse to get out of the house and make new friends in town while I dance, box, swim, strength train, and use the sauna regularly.
On top of that, they let you book a table tennis table. Last week, my partner and I went and played for an hour, a game we both loved as kids. FUN!
What earthy things you’ve been enjoying lately?
💚 When you’re ready, here are three ways I can help:
Hire me for Live Experiences: immersive, interactive wellbeing events (virtual or in-person) that bring the body back into the conversation, helping your audience build mental + physical resilience through nervous system regulation, breathwork, and posture-focused practices.
Body Check-in: a 2-hour online session to assess your body’s current state, identify patterns and hidden imbalances (posture, breath, nervous system tone), and leave with a clear, personalized plan (plus 7 days of support after).
Discover Your Body’s Story (Free quiz): a 5-minute pause to understand what your body has been trying to tell you, especially if you feel “wired but drained,” stuck in a loop, or disconnected from your deeper embodied wisdom.
Thank you for joining me on the path of unconditioning,
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Hedi Shah
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👁️ Mindfulness Teacher & Bodyworker
🐉 Nervous system regulation, breathwork, and posture-focused strength training to target the cause of what keeps you stuck and in pain, not just symptoms.
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