Daily Anchors: Permission to Pause | 178

Welcome to Follow Your Gut. Daily Anchors.

I’m Juniper, and I’ll be guiding you in this daily embodiment practice for grounding, expansion, and self-leadership.

Go ahead and find a comfortable position wherever you are. You don’t need to sit a certain way or do anything special. You can be lying down, sitting, or listening while moving through your day. Just allow your body to arrive.

If it feels good, gently close your eyes. And if not, soften your gaze.

Take a slow breath in through your nose.
And a long breath out through your mouth.

Roll your shoulders forward and up toward your ears, and then roll them back and down. Opening up your heart space and allowing your shoulders to relax.

Let your jaw unclench.
Let your body know that, for these few minutes, there is nowhere else you need to be.

Today’s anchor is intentionally quiet. We are practicing something simple but very powerful.
Listening instead of overriding.

So often, we only slow down when our bodies force us to.
When we’re sick.
Exhausted.
Or running on empty.

As women, and especially as mothers, we are so conditioned to be doing for everyone else. Holding. Managing. Anticipating. Planning. And the moment we pause, even briefly, guilt creeps in. Like we should be doing more. Like rest has to be earned.

I am currently reading a book called The Relaxed Woman. And it’s been a gentle reminder that relaxation isn’t something we arrive at once everything is done. It’s something we decide is important and we must practice relaxing in our real everyday lives. 

This anchor is an invitation to practice that.

It’s about practicing that pause before we reach a point of burnout and disregulation.

Take another slow breath in.
And let it go.

Pause.

I want you to just notice your body right now.
Without judgement. 

Just notice.

Where does your body feel heavy?
Where does it feel tired?
Where does it feel sensitive?
Where does it feel soft?

Pause.

You don’t need to change anything.
You don’t need to make meaning of what you notice.

Right now we are just listening.

Silence.

Please pllace one hand somewhere your body wants support right now.
It could be over your heart, on your belly, the top of your head, your feet, or maybe your throat.

Pause.

And gently, either silently or out loud, say to yourself:

“I hear you.”
“I don’t need to push.”
“It’s okay to rest.”

Pause.

This anchor is a reminder that rest is not a reward.
It’s information.
And listening is one of the most powerful things we can do for ourselves and those around us.

When we pause, we create space.
Space to respond instead of react.
Space to notice what we actually need.
Space for our bodies to recalibrate without being pushed.

When we pause, we model regulation for the people around us.
We show our children, our partners, and ourselves that it’s safe to slow down.
That care doesn’t have to come from exhaustion.
Together we all learn that presence is more powerful than pushing through.

As you move back into your day, carry this with you.

You don’t need to do more.
You don’t need to prove anything.

Sometimes the most supportive thing you can do
is stop
and listen.

Pause.

As you come out of this practice, take a moment to gently set your anchors for the day.

Today, I commit to nourishing my body with microbiome friendly food and abundant water.

Today, I choose to support my mind, brain, nervous system, and liver with my rebalancing or maintenance supplements.

Today, I trust that I am safe, and that everything is always working for me.

And today, I will choose one small action that supports the life I am affirming.

Let this practice orient your day and remind you that alignment is built through small, consistent choices.

May your heart feel supported, your body feel safe, and your intuition lead your day.

Trust your body. Follow your gut.