A full list of the Simple Living Challenge steps can be found here.

Stress is a term that is very often used nowadays but it gets increasingly difficult to define. Poor organization, traffic, lack of exercise, suppressed emotions can all stress you out. No matter how much you have simplified your life already, stress does build up.

Today, I am happy to host the master of eco-living, Debra Duneier, who I introduced to you back in November, with her book Eco-Chi - Designing the Human Experience. That book showed me so many ways to organize and design my home so as to attract harmony and happiness, and still be eco-friendly, that I keep on recommending it to my friedns. Since Debra is not only a talented writer, but also an accredited LEED® Green Associate, Certified Eco-Designer and a Feng Shui Master Practitioner I thought there is no one else who can teach us better about how to de-stress than her.

When we connect with nature we feel happier and regain our natural rhythm. All of our senses become alive and we are reminded of our innate ability to heal ourselves. I created the EcoChi® system-because I was searching for ways to heal in my own life. I am excited to share this new concept with you blending both the ancient and the modern disciplines of Classical Feng Shui, Green and Sustainable Living and Environmental Psychology.



Water
Water soothes… so we love to be near water. After all, our own bodies are 70% water! People gather around fountains all over the world. The sound comforts us, the splashing delights us. We are reminded that we are a small part of something grand. Place a water fountain or fish bowl in your home. Be sure to keep the water clean at all times and enjoy!

Trees and plants
Indoor trees and plants are not only pleasurable to look at but also bring additional health benefits. Plants purify the air through the tiny pores in their leaves that act as air filters.

Organic produce
There is nothing like the taste of home grown vegetables and fruits. What do you do if you have no garden? You can grow herbs and even some vegetables potted in organic soil near your window. They smell and taste great while they nourish and heal you.



Nature
When your lives seem out of control, head outdoors! Plant your feet on the ground, raise your arms and take deep breaths. Consciously breathe in and out. You may even want to find a big old wise tree. Sit under it, put your hand on the trunk, smooth its leaves, feel its sturdiness and wisdom. This will help you to get back to your natural rhythm.

Massage
For maximum health we all need to touch and be touched. Choose massage oil in a relaxing fragrance like lavender, sandalwood or vanilla. Warm it over a candle and massage your feet, legs and hands for a feeling of luxury and calm.

Share your experience: Tell us which is your favorite method of dealing with stress.

See also: 
Step 1: Embrace Your Imperfections
Step 2: Simple Living as Men's Trait
Step 3: The Rules of Simple Home Organization
Step 4: Simple Crafting for Happy People
Step 5: Simple Scheduling and Planning Routines
Step 6: Spend More Time With the People You Love
Step 7: Spend More Time Alone
Step 8: Connect to Your Inner Self

The past few steps of our Simple Living Challenge have been steadily leading us to today's post and I am thankful that Shelly of LIghtboxSF is sharing her views today. From learning to accept our imperfections, to spending time with our family, to finding time for ourselves through scheduling and organizing, our aim, be it unintentional at times, is to find inner piece. Without inner piece there is no amount of money, friends or attention that can help us be self-sufficient and enjoy simplicity.

Shelly Kerry is co-owner of Lightbox SF. She is an artist, designer, and motivator. Since 2006 she has been working to build her own jewelry design business, em’s studio, and she wants to share all she’s learned. Shelly knows that building your own art or craft business can often feel lonely and overwhelming. She also understands how much of a struggle it is to balance a “day job” with a budding creative business.

Shelly’s talent for listening and her own personal experimentation with organization and structure are your boon. She has a wealth of advice to help keep you motivated, push through those stuck times, and make the most out of your already busy schedule. Through Lightbox SF and her Creating Space program, she provides the much needed support, encouragement, and skills that will allow you to realize your dreams. Connect to Shelly via twitter or facebook.

Am I really growing into the person I want to spend the rest of my life being?

Developing a relationship with our inner being is a lifetime journey of self-discovery, questions and adventures.  We get to know ourselves by setting back and really listening to our hearts and bodies, taking risks and allowing ourselves the space to do so. How can we hear what our inner self is trying so desperately to say if all we do is run from job to job to social engagement to networking event and don’t take the time to evaluate what is actually important? Am I happy being so busy? Am I really growing into the person I want to spend the rest of my life being?

There is no time line or stop watch telling us when we should start this journey of self discovery. There is no wrong time.  There is only the right time – any age, any situation. Truly knowing you is the first step to a more conscious, simple lifestyle.

My journey of self discovery

My journey of self discovery began pretty early in life.  I felt strongly at an early age that my family’s chosen religion, Catholicism, was not for me. In my twenties, I wanted to be friends with the most eccentric people I could find, so radically different from me but full of adventure and with their own unique sense of knowledge.  I also felt strongly about leaving the comforts of the Midwest and the close proximity of my supportive family in order to travel the states, re-locate to big cities and venture to other countries solo.  

My life has been fun and full of adventure but definitely not void of sorrow and heartache.  I desperately wanted to know what made me tick, what made me happy, what made me uncomfortable and the only way I saw fit was through risks, fear and pushing my own boundaries. When I look back I was non-stop. Yes, I was getting to know myself but was I yet at a place of really understanding what my body and heart were whispering?

Wanting to slow down just a little I picked up my first copy of Women’s Body, Women’s Wisdom over twelve years ago and enrolled in my first yoga class.  I began my own informal education on how the body, mind and heart interact. I started to take time to really listen to myself, allowing past experiences to just rest inside of me without judgment. 

I moved to San Francisco over 6 years ago from NYC to live in a place that I felt could better support my new journey. Maturity and a better relationship with my inner being helps me to see what works in my life, teaches me to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy relationships and how to look into the future just long enough to make better decisions today. My goal now is to always stay true to what I believe is right for me and my life feels full of the most beautiful friends and interesting opportunities. I continue to take many risks but also have a better idea of what really works for me. The beauty of this journey is that it is on-going with a simple goal of finding peace and living a life of simple pleasures.

Awareness

I believe we cannot truly hear what our heart is saying unless we give it the time and space. Our lives are busy and sometimes it is hard to find time to just “be.” In this economy we find ourselves working two jobs, struggling with what we want to do and what we have to do to make ends meet. Unless you make a conscious stand, information from media can be over-whelming and exhausting. Flashing billboard ads scream “You have to have this!” and can tire the mind quickly.

But if we are so busy, where do we find the time to go for a hike in the woods or a quiet lunch with an old friend in the park? You schedule it. This time should have just as much priority as anything else in our schedule. Once a week at least, you should arrange time to just sit with yourself and check in. This can be in the form of a ten minute meditation followed by a 20 min walk.  If you enjoy running, find a nice local spot where you can easily exercise and give your mind space. Develop a morning habit of stream of consciousness writing. Pick up a journal and write non-stop for 5 to ten minutes and then non-judgmentally stop and let the memory of what you wrote marinate for the rest of the day.

There is a wonderful exercise that I try to use regularly. It is a full body check in. If something happens and I start to feel anger or anxiety or an uncomfortable feeling that I don’t yet recognize, I try to stop what I am doing for a minute and sit if possible. I close my eyes and starting with the top of my head down to my feet, I ask myself how this emotion is affecting each part of my body. Is my neck tight? Am I clenching my teeth? Is my belly becoming hot with anger? Through this exercise I am giving myself the time it needs to truly connect my body with my mind and heart. Without judgment, I am giving myself the respect I deserve. Magically, in the silence something wonderful can happen and I feel more confident and clear.

Reflection

So now you have been going on your daily walks, spending time thinking about what is working or not working in your life and you are starting to feel overwhelmed. Deeply reflecting does not always feel so good at the time. You can become anxious or scared. So what do you do? How would you feel if I said you do nothing? Well nothing right away. I used to be a let’s fix things quickly and immediately and believe me it wasn’t always a good solution.

Again, let yourself feel these new emotions. If taking this time for yourself is new to you, what arises can feel quiet strange or uncomfortable. Just go with it. 

Remind yourself that the relationship that you are developing with yourself will result in you becoming the most confident and beautiful version of you. If you are feeling guilty for spending this time with yourself and not your family, realize that you are doing them a favor. Taking 30 minutes a day for you is nothing if it results in a lifetime of a happy and connected person.

(If you or a loved one is in danger or you find yourself in some seriously bad situation this advice is not for you. You should seek a professional and remove yourself from the situation immediately.)

Making Changes

The beauty of a good steady practice of listening to your inner being is that it naturally results in a more conscious sense of living. You become clearer about who and what should be in your life. The relationship that develops between your heart, body and mind answers difficult questions for you. Respecting yourself and your feelings brings a beautiful sense of confidence that is inspiring and viral.

Trust that you will begin to see your life filled with amazing supportive people, laughter and peace. And at the cost of what – taking a nice weekly hike, listening to yourself and sitting with your thoughts? Doesn’t sound too shabby to me!

Consider today's challenge as an extension of yesterday's. Look for ways to free up time, so that you can pay attention to your feelings and your inner voice. 30 minutes is what you need.  Even if you are used to being on your own, try to make a change to the routine and enhance it.
Share your experience: Tell us how it feels to pay more attention to yourself for a second day in a row. Once again, if you are used to spending time alone, did you change something in your routine today to provoke different, positive feelings?

Make sure you stay up to date with the Simple Living Challenge and subscribe by email to receive each post straight to our Inbox or by RSS if you are using a Reader.