Welcome to 10 Weeks of Climate Optimism!
Based on the article 10 Ways To Be A Climate Optimist in 2022
Every Sunday for the first ten weeks of 2022, I will (in collaboration with Réve En Vert) be sharing a thought + challenge to deepen, widen, and strengthen your climate optimist heart. I hope these ten weeks will be a time for growing your emotional resilience and helping you become that grounded, empowered, and optimistic climate leader you are meant to be — for yourself and for the world!
If something comes up for you during this time that you’d like to share, please do! You can leave a comment here, email me at annetherese@theclimateoptimist.com, or send me a DM on Instagram — I’d love to hear about your journey!
Also, if you’re liking what you read, please share this newsletter with friends:
Challenge #1 — Slowing Down
When we think about “climate action”, we tend to think that we have to do, do, do! But a big part of that “doing” is actually about doing less. When we slow down and quiet our minds, we begin to recognize that many of the answers we’re looking for are right here, already nested in our hearts. We start to appreciate the small moments and move away from things that put stress on both humans and the Earth -- consumerism, aimless traveling, and this constant need to have more.
By slowing down, you’re also anchoring that new energy in the collective consciousness and (unknowingly) inviting others to slow down as well. We don’t need a world filled with panicked chickens, we need graceful, wise owls taking in the entire field and making decisions based on what seems to be best.
Be the owl, not the chicken, and find ways to slow down in 2022!
This Week’s Challenge
I’d like you to practice three kinds of slowing down this week, to recognize what “slow” could look like in your life, but also how easy it is to actually invite it. You can pick one of the three but for extra *star points*, I suggest you do them all! :)
1 — Active Slow Time
Schedule at least one session of active slow time when you allow yourself to do nothing. This doesn’t have to be for long, 10 - 15 minutes is enough if that’s all you can carve out!
The importance is that you allow all of you to slow down — your brain as well. That means no reading, no tweeting, no scrolling on social media, no TV, preferably no talking either! This is a time just for you.
If it feels uncomfortable at first, I get it (I’ve had to practice being slow because I’m someone who loves go, go, go!) but give in to it and time yourself. Can you spend fifteen minutes just… being?
2 — Integrated Slow Time
You actually don’t have to set aside time to be slow and once you get better at it, you’ll learn it’s a mindset more than anything else. By incorporating slowing down in your everyday life, you will notice that it’s much easier to be present.
For example; if you’re walking around the grocery store, try to slow down and bring attention to your experience. Instead of being annoyed by the long line or drifting off into what show you want to watch after dinner that night, try to just be there. What do you actually want to buy vs things you tend to buy out of habit? What new brands could you try that might align more with your values?
By slowing down in our daily life you not only bring more joy to all the things you do, but you also unlock the ability to think again and explore new stuff!
3 — Slowing Down Your Thoughts
We don’t usually recognize how fast our brains race but oh, those thoughts tend to take off, don’t they? You read something that triggers you, a person in your life says something that upsets you, you fail at your task and you spiral into the “I’m not good enough” trap.
If we can slow down our thinking, we can recognize our experiences for what they really are: lessons and growth.
So this week, when you sense your thoughts and emotions racing off, take a deep breath and slow yourself down. How can you look at this situation with different eyes? What hidden blessings and lessons may lay here that you’re not seeing yet?
When you slow down your thinking and feeling, you put yourself back in control, and activate a way of being that enables growth, empowerment, and self-love!
Deeper Reflections
Slow has gained a whole new meaning to me the past few years. I’ve realized that Slow is a mix of luxury and strength — luxury to have the time to slow down, but also strength because it takes a lot of hard work to get to the level of emotional intelligence to be there.
I think for most of us, Slow is a state we’re craving but, once given, feels so uncomfortable we quickly fill it with stuff.
We fill it with stuff (social media, people, alcohol, foods, etc) because we don’t know how to deal with what comes to the surface when we’re slow enough to feel it. How do you enjoy time in quiet when that means you’re finally able to hear those voices? How do you appreciate the Now when all you can think of is that climate change is real, the world is a mess, and that you seem to be a powerless nobody in a world run on greed and power?
And how do you love moments with yourself when you’re yet to make peace with who that Self is?
I’m someone who would fill every void with distraction for years. It was simply easier staying busy than dealing with all the thoughts inside, thoughts that made me confused about the world and my place in it.
But then I understood that in order to heal the world, I must heal myself first, and I decided to get serious about that work! I now love the slow moments more than anything because the person I’m hanging out with there has dealt with her shit. She’s come to peace with things from the past and in doing so, gained a new level of emotional intelligence that’s allowing her to be here - for all of it!
I’ve grown and I’m still growing. I’ve healed and I’m still healing. And I intend to never stop because being able to be in the Slow is the truest and most beautiful gift there is.
I hope this week’s challenge can activate some true magic for you. Remember that it’s a beautiful thing to be human and we need to treat these journeys with absolute respect. You are special so allow yourself to be here enough to experience what that feels like! ✨