005: Connection, Creativity & Faith as an Antidote to Fear - An Interactive Workshop

I am delighted to welcome you to episode 5 of the The Lifestyle Emporium Podcast:  Connection, Creativity Faith as an Antidote to Fear. My name is Ellen Meyer

This is your new gathering place, a hub of fresh encounters, inspiration, courage and life skills that will help you realize and fulfil the purpose that you have been created for – while living in joy and abundance throughout the journey.

Here is an outline of my action plan to wring absolutely every bit of wonderful out of this time that we have been given. I have divided it into three phases:

1) A Time to Connect

2)  A time of Planning and Preparation and

3) Time to Play

A Time to Connect:

1. Our thoughts and our words matter. Positivity, optimism and faith will need to replace panic and fear and is the first and most essential utensil in your toolbox. This is a deliberate mindset that we may need to clothe ourselves in every day.
2. If ever there was a time for a family meeting, this is it. I highly recommend talking calmly and openly about the reality of the situation. Encourage each person to talk about what they have on their heart, talk about fears, disappointments, hopes and plans. Make a point to tell each one in your family how much you love them.
3. Manage expectations and don’t let arguments catch you by surprise. Be proactive.
4. A finance conversation needs to be had.
5. Date night does not have to die. Make sure that the kids go to bed on time and then make an effort to spend quality time together.

 Planning and Preparation.

Planning and preparation is going to be the second most useful implement in your toolbox. After we revel in the novelty of the first few days of being able to sleep in and slouch around in pyjamas, here is how I suggest we design or life to be both fun and fruitful:

1. Create a daily schedule. Get up at the same time daily, put on some mascara and lip gloss and get dressed with intention. If you are a parent, you will likely need to create a structure for the family. Start by creating a daily schedule (by the hour) and an outline of the week and month ahead.  

• Include in the daily schedule: a time for reflection and meditation
• In the daily schedule, include in your planning mealtimes, coffee breaks, school work, your personal projects, free time, moments of creativity, exercise, media, and times to connect as a family.
• Use media for kids sparingly as rewards or maximise it to keep the kids occupied get personal projects done.

2. Let the list – making begin. According to your daily or weekly plan, make a list of the things that you will need. But before you pop those items in the online shopping cart – take an inventory of the grocery cupboard, your art supplies, the toy cupboard. Make a music and a movies - to watch and books to read list. This will create a sense of excitement for what is to come.

7. Shopping. Wherever possible, shop local, support small business. Avoid overspending and emotional shopping.
8. Create weekly highlights: Have things to look forward to. When planning mealtimes, create theme nights and make favourite dishes. You could even get dressed up, set the table, light some candles and put on some music. Pack colourful fun spring picnics and eat outdoors.
9. Let creativity rule! Explore and try some of the things you’ve never had time to do. Painting, photography, knitting or sewing, write a story or your first blog post. Have a competition to see who can come up with the most inventive or artistic project. We may not be able to travel, but now we have no excuse to organise our photo albums either digitally or printed or even create a scrapbook.
10. Create connection. Include the kids’ in meal and activity planning sessions.Family spa sessions complete with facemasks and massages or doing exercise together. Start gardening, or do a DIY project. And how about let’s get back to the art of letter writing?
11. Spring Clean! Tackle room by room, clear the clutter, organise and purge. Maybe there are some items we can share with those in need.
12. Assign dedicated spaces for activities. To avoid friction, determine sections of the house for work and play.
13. Include the entire family in housework and chores. Let each person take ownership for particular areas or tasks and come up with imaginative rewards.
14. Support and encourage others. This should actually be number one on my list. If you are healthy, find out if you could do groceries, deliver a meal or support someone in need. While many of us are at home, health and other professionals are risking their own health and working overtime to take care of those in need. Reflect if there is something we can do to lighten their load or add joy in their day.

A Time to Play

In this final section I would like to remind you to be fully present and treat this time with childlike fun. Live, dance, embrace, be grateful… PLAY. Life rolls on – it waits for no one. There is no way to rewind what is lost or even fast forward to a more desired time. Our vulnerability reminds me that we have been created and – we are not the ultimate creator of our fate and future. Let love rule our hearts and minds as we navigate this season. The decisions we make on a daily basis matter.

 We have arrived at the end of this episode. This little workshop is meant to serve as inspiration, a mere starting point to make the most out of this time for your unique family situation. 

Let me know how it goes and what life lessons you are learning. Connect with me on social media

On Instagram or  Facebook @thelifestyleemporiumtribe  or visit www.thelifestyleemporium.ch which offers both learning experiences and personal mentorship.