“never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit; do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset”
saint francis de sales
dear muse,
especially now, finding moments of calm... now that's luxury
at je mérite, i deserve, we believe that everyone deserves the gift of tranquility and peace
embracing calm is not just about slowing down; it’s about creating a space where your mind, body, and soul can rejuvenate and thrive
this week, we urge you, as means of survival, to cultivate calm in your life
these are extremely stressful times with distress coming at us from so many different angles…
from our personal economics to interpersonal relationships, to our mental health, to politics and world affairs…
just so much stress
throughout all this, we try our best to carve out a bit of calm each day
enjoy this week's love letter...
*all photos are links to more information, the bookshop.org link is an affiliate link
our meditation or playlist
this meditation calms you down, helps you to breathe again, takes you to your happy place and gives you peace, calm and protection so that you can go back into the world feeling stronger and at ease once more
calming meditation for difficult days
by shanti devi yoga
our podcast
what do you enjoy and makes you happy?
knowing what is really important to you, may be different to other people and how your mind and body works is really key to finding the best relaxation strategies for you
some strategies will work some days and may work better on different days
enjoy
relaxation strategies for adults no.158
from the calm and connected podcast with janine halloran
our journal prompt
the mind and body work in sync to keep you healthy and happy
but sometimes stress, anxiety, or trauma can cause things not to function as they should
you might end up experiencing a dysregulated nervous system, an uncomfortable situation that brings symptoms from issues with sleeping to chronic pain
fortunately, you can begin to heal your nervous system with guidance and care
here are some helpful tips
seven therapist-recommended ways to heal your nervous system
by charlie health
our book selection
a beautiful collection of short stories centered around four generations of black women and girls who decide to let go of societal and religious expectations
they pursue forbidden desires, embrace vulnerability, and intentionally carve out a restorative, long-awaited reprieve from "being good"
the secret lives of church ladies
by deesha philyaw
finally, our film selection
this vibrant, sun-drenched london indie follows yas, an expressive young woman reeling from a messy, sudden breakup
when she meets dom at an art gallery, they spend a single day walking through south london
while yas initially uses a loud, energetic, and performative exterior to mask her pain, her interactions with the quiet, grounded dom challenge her
walking through the city forces her to slow down, stop running from her discomfort, and discover a serene, steady comfort within herself
starring david jonsson & vivian oparah; directed by raine allen-miller
your ritual
calm is not a reward for finishing the to-do list
this gentle ritual is here to support your exhale
a calm morning this one might be difficult; wake slowly; before engaging with the world, sit in silence — no phone, no words
a calm evening turn off notifications; close the laptop; place your phone face down; step away; light a candle and sit with a warm drink; read a book; listen to your favorite album; set your do not disturb to begin in one hour, blow the candle out, and drift to sleep
enjoy
in closing
you do not have to earn calm
you do not have to prove you're overwhelmed
you are allowed to slow down
to breathe.To soften
with love and community,
tamara charese
as always, affirmations from previous weeks are available here
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