The Things I Do When I Feel Off
You know those days when you just don’t feel quite yourself. It’s that subtle disconnection, like I’m moving through the day on autopilot, reacting instead of responding. And usually, that’s the signal: I need to come back to myself.
Over the years, I’ve gathered a kind of personal toolkit — not rules or strict routines, but gentle rituals and reminders that help me feel human again. Whether I’m hosting a retreat or just trying to get through a busy week, these are the things that ground me. Maybe some will feel familiar to you too.
I notice when I’m drifting
Before I do anything, I try to pause and name what’s happening. Sometimes I’ll just say to myself, “Something feels off today.” Naming it softens it. I don’t have to fix it right away—I just have to notice it.
I reconnect with my body
I stretch. Not just for flexibility — because it feels good.
I shake out my arms, roll on the floor, or go for a slow walk.
I ask myself: “Where am I holding tension?” and I breathe into it.
Movement reminds me that I live in a body, not just in my thoughts. It brings me back every time.
I step outside — even just for 5 minutes
Bare feet in the grass, sunlight on my skin, or simply listening to the sounds around me. Nature doesn’t try to be anything — it just is. And being near that energy helps me remember that I’m allowed to just be too.
I create small moments of ritual
These little actions feel like soul check-ins:
Lighting a candle before I start work
Making a warm or cold drink slowly, with intention
Cooking without distractions—chopping, stirring, tasting
Sitting quietly with no phone, even just for a few breaths
Rituals are my way of saying to myself: “I’m here. This moment matters.”
I listen to what I need — and give myself permission
Sometimes I:
Say no to something just to reclaim space
Voice note a friend to feel less alone
Take a long shower with music
Journal what’s been spinning in my head
Play music that lets me cry, or dance
None of this is fancy. It’s not about doing it perfectly. It’s about giving myself space to soften, reconnect, and just feel a little more me again.
What Hosting Retreats Has Taught Me About Holding Space (Even for Myself)
When I started hosting retreats, I thought I was creating space for others to heal. And I still believe that—but what surprised me is how much it taught me about holding space for myself, too.
I’ve learned that:
People don’t need fixing. Often, they just need presence.
Silence is sacred. Not every space needs to be filled.
Boundaries are a form of care. For me and for others.
Vulnerability creates safety. The more real I am, the more permission others feel to be real too.
And all of that applies to how I treat myself, especially when I feel off. Instead of rushing to solve, I’ve learned to be still. To listen. To stay soft.
Because coming back to ourselves doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic. Sometimes it’s a stretch, a deep breath, a quiet moment of remembering:
I’m human. I’m here. And that’s enough.
What do you do when you feel a little off? Maybe your list looks different. That’s the beauty of it—we each get to write our own. But I hope this gave you a few gentle ideas to come back to when you need them.
If you’ve been feeling a little disconnected lately, I see you. Maybe try one of these. Or just pause, breathe, and remind yourself you’re allowed to have these moments.
With love,
Eva
