What Living Gently Means to Me

When I say I live gently, I don’t mean I’m regularly going to the spa or cancelling plans or that I’ve perfected my skin care routine.

I know all too well how easy it can be to fall into the trap of giving life your all or nothing – turning up to work as your best self, or not turning up at all. And how easy it is to tell yourself you can push through without paying any mind to your mental health, just so long as you get one hour to chill in the bath eventually.

Yes, taking a mental health day is one way to protect and take care of yourself. And face masks and bubble baths help too. But finding space in every day to check in, be present and take care? I have found that’s more impactful than any hot bath could ever be.

To me, living gently can mean taking one deep breath of fresh air when no-one is watching.

It’s the choice to play your favourite music loudly through earphones on the train and then, a few seconds later, turn the music off and put the earphones away, because it turns out quiet is what you need instead.

It means paying attention to the taste of the last bite of pizza, even if that means missing the end of a conversation.

Taking the long route home and noticing how blue the sky looks or how your footsteps sound on the path.

It’s the quiet acceptance that anxiety is along for the ride and a willingness to find seconds here and there to pause and check in with yourself. Because when you empower yourself to do so, even the most daunting plans can feel doable.

Living gently allows me to live a life that’s full of joy, even with butterflies in tow. It stops me from feeling exhausted or overwhelmed. It allows me to make regular space for my inner nervous Nellie, put her at ease and let her know I’ve always got her back.

Living with anxiety isn’t easy and accepting the need to go gently can be even harder, but nowadays I know that giving myself a little grace here and there doesn’t hold me back from living life fully. In fact, it’s what keeps me moving forward.