Great Ways To Spend Your Time & Money This Season
This time of year there are sooo many ads and emails urging us to spend! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and behind about what to get, for whom, which group to support, and how to stay true to our values. While I love the energy of nesting and lights, I want to be more conscious about who and what I’m supporting. More than anything I notice I’m wanting to rest and create fun experiences. So I thought I would share this list for anyone interested
Go to see a live performance/ living music. You can never replicate the experience any other way and you will be creating memories and supporting artists’ livelihood.
Go to an art exhibit, art fair, gallery, or museum. Finding something visual to inspire you can have a positive ripple effect in your life. We’re having a great Family Holiday Art & Music Pop-Up this Sunday, December 8th.
Purchase artwork by a local artist. Choose to invest in something unique and or original instead of mass produced. When I look at the handmade things I own or music by friends, I always think of the people or place where I received them giving me ongoing positive feelings.
Make something with your hands. Bake, paint, sew, bead, and enjoy the reward of your own efforts and the meditation that making can bring.
Sing. Sing in community, sing with friends, sing alone. But do sing. Singing and humming increases your breath, stimulates your vagus nerve which helps to balance your nervous system, and opens your heart which we need in this world! Prioritize singing now by signing up for my monthly vocal warm up Vocal Gym!
Go for winter walks with friends, family, pets…in nature and in the city. You can spend money to go on a vacation out of town or you could create your own Staycation imagining your city/town as a new place to discover. Sometimes I’m happily surprised at what adventures I can create from home. Plus there’s the added benefit of having less of a negative impact on air pollution..
Sign up for a movement class (dance, Yoga, roller skate, tennis, etc) to not only improve your circulation, breath, and muscle tone but to also move and release emotions. Take time for yourself or do something fun with a loved one.
Listen to a good podcast. I recently appeared on The Courageous Voice, a podacst created by singer/composer/teacher Chanda Rule. Podcasts can be a great way to begin to settle into winter hibernating while also growing deeper connections to your interests
Support your local bookstore. If you’re wanting to gift someone a book this season, try a copy of my memoir Lost & Found. It’s also great to purchase used books (and used clothes).
What else would you add to this list? I’d love to know.