Shrink the World Down to What Matters
Seeing the Magic that Already Exists in Your Daily Life
Life is already full of magic, it’s just about tuning into it.
Every now and then we need to get off the dread-mill of over commitment and pretending. To open our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds to all the miracles in the ordinary. It’s super helpful and uplifting!
The global pandemic was undeniably challenging, but it also led to some surprising positives for many people. I think there was a collective realisation that life is unpredictable, which led people to pursue passions, change careers, or move to places they actually wanted to live. My husband and I relocated to SW France as at the time we felt the world as we knew it was unraveling, and it caused us to reassess what truly mattered to us.
With less travel and industry slowing down it was a time of global change that I hadn’t experienced to this scale before in my lifetime. Sadly this was a painful time as we lost loved ones, but what it did give me was the opportunity and space to look at my life in a different way. As for many there were positives from this time, whether to explore our beliefs around work/life balance, strengthening relationships (or letting go of the ‘wrong’ ones). A slower, more present way of living with fewer distractions, encouraged us to slow down, to appreciate the present, and enjoy simple pleasures like cooking, reading, painting, music, writing, DIY projects, nature walks, home gardening, growing our own food, learning something new, spending time with pets, or just being.
There was a boom in creativity and side hustles. More time at home meant people explored new hobbies and projects. Small businesses had to adapt and find new ways to make money online, or monetise their skills in different ways. The shared experience of the pandemic fostered empathy and understanding across cultures. Communities came together in creative ways, mutual aid groups, virtual concerts, and online support networks flourished.
Collectively we became more aware of our physical and mental health, leading to a rise in mindfulness practices, fitness routines, and better self-care. There was a greater appreciation for everyday freedoms. The ability to travel, hug a loved one, or even go to a café became something people no longer took for granted. Many people emerged from the pandemic with a renewed sense of gratitude for the little things.
So 5 years on what’s happening? Do you think as a collective we have perhaps slipped back into pre-pandemic habits?
Whether we have or haven’t, it isn’t my intention to point any fingers, or make any judgements, we are all human!
Things that may have creeped back into your everyday life:
Realised you’re still in the wrong city, relationship or job!
Long hours sitting at a desk, in the car, or on the couch
Stress busy
Doomscrolling social media
Unhealthy eating patterns
Less time to dedicate to regular exercise and alone time
Stop pretending you are okay with 9 meetings a day!
The pressure to be constantly productive
Neglecting your mental health
The appreciation for simple pleasures, like quiet time, nature, and deep conversations have faded as life speeds up again
Late nights and poor sleep hygiene
As humans we can easily slip back into old habit patterns because our brains are wired for efficiency and familiarity. Our habits are deeply ingrained in our neural pathways. When we repeat a behaviour over time, our brain creates strong connections that make it easier to default to that behaviour, even if it's not beneficial.
Change requires effort, while old habits feel safe and automatic. When life gets stressful or overwhelming, we revert to what’s familiar because it feels easier and requires less energy. When we’re not fully present or intentional, we operate on autopilot. This makes it easy to fall back into unconscious habits without even realising it.
Our surroundings play a huge role in behaviour. If we return to the same environment where a habit was formed, it can unconsciously trigger that habit again. Old habits often serve as emotional crutches. When stress, boredom, or anxiety hit, we reach for what once provided relief, even if it’s counterproductive in the long run. Without continued motivation, support, or accountability, it’s easy to lose momentum and slip back into what’s comfortable.
By recognising triggers and unconscious behaviours we can break these cycles. Here are some ideas to help shift your perception to seeing the magic what already exists in your daily life:
Pay attention to coincidences, unexpected encounters, repeated numbers, or perfectly timed events
Start a side hustle that makes absolutely no sense but makes your soul hum
Walk more, love more, meditate more
Appreciate having an ice cream in the sunshine
Make banana bread, or don’t!
Share a smile with a stranger
The sun rises and sets without fail
Treat your morning coffee (or tea) like a potion - whisper an intention into it before taking the first sip, to infused it with good energy for the day.
The lucky coin you found on the ground yesterday, where had it traveled before landing at your feet?
When you think of someone and they text
A song that touches your soul
The loving gaze of looking deep into your dogs eyes
You are part of an infinite, intelligent cosmos
The more you appreciate, the more miracles appear
Set an intention and then watch as it unfolds in reality
An afternoon nap as you drift off to the sound of the rain outside
Laughter, laughter, laughter
Looking at a familiar object as if seeing it for the first time
Spending time alone, without distractions, just observing how you feel
Your heart beats without you thinking about it, and your body heals wounds on its own
Which one is your favourite or do you have another pearl of wisdom (magic) we can add to the list?
I believe that it’s the small things in life that really matter the most, because they shape our daily experiences, strengthen our relationships, and create lasting memories. A kind word, a shared laugh, a moment of stillness with a morning cup of tea, these simple acts hold the power to bring joy, connection, and meaning to our lives. While we often chase big achievements, it’s the small, everyday moments that truly define our happiness. A gentle touch, a heartfelt note, or the warmth of the sun on our skin can remind us that life’s beauty isn’t found in grand gestures but in the quiet, fleeting details we sometimes overlook.
Today we will focus on bridging our old habits with our new ones.
We are going to pay attention to our Bridge Pose, called Setu Bandhasana, in Sanskrit (सेतु बन्ध सर्वाङ्गासन).
We practice Bridge Pose to cultivate strength, flexibility, and balance in both the body and mind. This posture is a gentle yet powerful backbend that strengthens the spine, glutes, and legs while opening the chest and heart centre, promoting better posture and deeper breathing. On a deeper level, Bridge Pose stimulates the nervous system, helping to relieve stress and calm the mind. It also enhances circulation, supports digestion, and can even help with mild depression and fatigue.
Towards the end of your regular self-led practice I invite you to incorporate the Bridge Posture. It starts by lying flat on your mat with your knees bent and feet hip-width apart. (you can place a block between your knees if this helps you). Ensure your feet are firmly planted on the mat, and ideally close enough so that your fingertips can graze your heels. Rest your arms alongside your body with palms facing down. For more support, you can press them firmly into the ground. Take a deep inhale, press into your feet into your mat and lift your hips toward the sky. Engaging your glutes, thighs, and core to create a strong and stable bridge shape.
If comfortable, you can then clasp your hands underneath your back and roll your shoulders inward slightly, expanding your chest and opening your heart centre. If this feels too intense, keep your arms alongside your body with palms down. Keep your knees aligned (not splaying outwards) and lengthen your tailbone toward your knees. Keep your head still with your chin slightly tucked towards your chest. Hold this posture for 5–10 deep breaths, maintaining a smooth, steady breath.
As you elevate and open the heart slightly, this posture will enhance blood flow and help to energize your body. So as you maintain the Bridge Posture today take a moment to feel where old habits may have crept back into your life (that’s okay!), but then try to shift your perception towards feeling what magic already exists in your daily life.
To exit Bridge Posture safety; Take a deep exhale breath and gently release your hands (if clasped) and lower your spine vertebra by vertebra until your back fully rests on the mat. Pause in this neutral position, allowing your spine to settle and rest on the earth before repeating or moving on to your next pose.
(Everything starts with a single step. You may not get the answer straight away but perhaps be open to receiving it when you move off the four corners of your yoga mat today).
The hardest part is getting to your mat, continuing to show up for yourself with all the ‘things’ you have to do and accomplish today.
I understand that our ‘moving inward’ practice is personal, but if you are drawn to share any discoveries or moments of magic that came up for you, then I’d love to hear them in the comments, remember You Are Not Alone. Your words may also help someone else.
As a collective, as a community, we inhale lots of love in, and exhale lots of love out ❤️
It’s an honour to share this time with you.
❤️ Namaste Tracey Xx
Please feel free to share You Are Not Alone with loved ones and friends. I trust whoever needs to read my musings will find them as a source of inspiration and hope. They are all written from my heart and offer the opportunity to dive deeper into truth, authenticity and trust.
Moving Inward - Exercises designed to take with you onto your yoga mat or alternatively next time you go for a walk alone in nature. I hope the audio version helps with this ❤️ how we move matters - where attention goes energy flows.
My Moving Inward invitation is a sweet, sweet friendly reminder to spend some precious ‘me time’ as often as possible. To take inspiration from my essays when you’re next on your mat and devote time to turning your gaze inwards, in order to cultivate a beautiful conscious conversation with your body, mind & emotions. Through this process we get to practise listening, to be who we are, and creatively explore who we want to be.
