A Too-Good-to-Be-True Tool to Navigate the Chaos
It sounds too good to be true, I know.
Can anything (much less a single tool) actually help us to navigate the chaos of our work-home juggling act that, post-COVID, only seems to be getting more and more chaotic?
Come on.
I wasn’t born yesterday, was my first thought, and I’ve frankly had enough of flashy, “revolutionary” tips and tricks and tools, thank you very much.
That was my first reaction, anyway, when I heard about this thing called Morning Pages.
But I listened a little further, partly because it was Julia Cameron (a very inspiring teacher IMO on creativity) who was speaking about it. If Julia speaks about Morning Pages as both “an apparently pointless process” and “pivotal to creative recovery,” I was intrigued.
Here’s how it works.
Within the first 45 minutes of waking up, sit yourself down and write three pages. No rules. No agenda. No prompt. Just write whatever comes out, stream-of-consciousness style. The “within 45 minutes of waking up” part is important because after that, our brains have shifted into normal day-to-day mode and our cultural and digital influences take over.
The idea is to write the Morning Pages before that shift happens, in order to reach back to something more essential and foundational.
I’ve tried this myself, and I’ve shared it recently with others both within the ABG community and outside of it. Interestingly, we’ve all had some similar experiences, including these three:
Brain Dump. The first day or two, this is what will happen. All the clutter and random thoughts will empty from your brain onto the page. All the lists, that is, and all the rants and all the distractions that typically occupy for too much mindspace. It’s perfect to get those things out of our heads and onto the page, so that we can make way for what comes next.
The Dust Settles. Once we’re through that “emptying out” phase, we eventually get to the things that are actually on our minds, aside from all of the surface-level distractions. We just have to get rid of the top layers first and unbury what’s underneath. That takes a little time, which is why Morning Pages are three pages long, and not just half of one.
Pattern on Repeat. Keep going with Morning Pages – a week, two weeks, maybe a month or more – and we soon notice the brain-dump-then-dust-settle pattern repeat itself even within a single day. We spend some time emptying out the debris so that we can get down to what actually matters. Most days, for me, this happens around page two and a half. It’s usually a lightbulb moment, and I’m inevitably surprised to see it on the page in front of me.
How do Morning Pages help us to navigate the chaos of our (almost) post-COVID world?
For me, it has to do with identifying what’s essential. When I know what’s essential, I’m clear on what actually needs to get done today and also why I’m doing it.
One day this week, for example, the first two pages or so of my Morning Pages were all about details like our family’s schedule, shopping lists and new recipes I’d like to try. Yada yada yada. On the third page, though, I saw what actually matters underneath all of those details. That was, namely, face-to-face time with our kids at the dinner table as they each navigate particular challenges in their teenage lives. It wasn’t the new recipe that matters, though it’s a useful and enjoyable detail. What actually matters is the grounding experience of making eye contact with people you love.
Oh.
I just needed to dig through the details – to empty those out of my head – before I could see the essential of what’s underneath.
That’s how Morning Pages are currently helping me to navigate this chaos around us. Bonus effects? It’s quite calming to identify and know what’s essential, and also productivity rises because the focus is on what’s most important rather than on the details.
Please let us know if you give Morning Pages a try, and what you think of the practice. We’d also love to hear other tools you’re putting to use to navigate these challenging times right now.
Namaste,
Cathy
What We're Reading:
Here's what has piqued our interest this week in the world of wine and mindfulness.
Being Mindful, Not Just Reading About It - Mindful Leader
How applying the concepts (not just reading about it) of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction can actually help you get a handle on stress and anxiety (Includes links to a FREE guide)
Black women a rising force in Atlanta’s wine community – Atlanta Constitution Journal
Working in a predominantly white and male industry has left Black women in the wine world constantly having to prove themselves. Yet, they also are working determinedly to amplify their numbers in the industry, aiming for power, access to resources and recognition.
U.S. Alcohol Consumption Surged to 30-Year High During Pandemic - VinePair.com
Despite shelter-in-place restrictions limiting travel and preventing social outings during the height of the pandemic, total alcohol consumption in 2020 rose to its highest level in three decades.
As We Celebrate Juneteenth, a Reflection on the Wine Industry’s Progress and the Work Ahead – Julia Coney for VinePair.com
On the anniversary of Juneteenth, writer and Black Wine Professionals Founder, Julia Coney, considers how the wine industry is shaping up with its work toward addressing the long-standing issues of inequality and racism.
Our 30 Best Nonalcoholic Cocktails for Flavor-Filled, Booze-Free Sipping – Drinks52.com
Cool off with one of these colorful mocktails.
Meet the Community!
Here we meet some of the talented folks who make our community profession so dynamic.
Janie Brooks Heuck, Managing Director, Brooks Winery (Amity, Oregon, USA)
Years in Industry:
Seventeen, but my start in the industry was not intentional. My brother, Jimi Brooks, founded Brooks Winery in 1998. He set out to make Oregon Riesling great again, bring biodynamic farming to vines in the Willamette Valley and to craft high-acid food friendly wines with minimal intervention at accessible price points. He blazed a trail from the beginning. Sadly, in 2004, right before harvest, he passed away at the age of 38, leaving behind his eight year old son, Pascal.
The wine community saved Brooks when 12 producers got together and decided to take his fruit and make the Brooks wine for free in 2004 and I was asked to help run the business. I knew nothing about wine but within a very short time, I fell in love with the industry, the people, the passion, the ties to my brother, being back in my home state of Oregon and the challenge to continue his legacy until Pascal could decide what he wanted to do with it. So long story short, I have been volunteering my time to lead Brooks for almost 17 years, it is owned 100% by my nephew Pascal and our delicious wines have been under the care and craft of Chris Williams who has been with Brooks for 20 years.
I am proud that we have stayed true to Jimi’s founding philosophies and have grown the brand successfully with a home in the Eola Amity Hills. We raised the bar in hospitality when we opened our new building in 2014 offering table side service, multiple flight options, beer, cider, a full menu of food, a relaxed, comfortable space with some of the best views of the valley.
We are leaders in the social and environmental space as the only winery that we know of to be all three of the following: Demeter Certified for Biodynamics, a Member of 1% For The Planet and a Certified B Corporation.
My Top Three Challenges to Wellness:
Giving myself grace. I set high expectations and often unrealistic deadlines for myself. I am also a mom and wife so I have a lot going on. I often prioritize everyone else over myself.
Consistency in diet and exercise. It is hard in our industry, when so much of the productive time is in a social setting, to eat well, exercise regularly and sleep well especially when traveling. COVID has made those things much easier and it makes me apprehensive about getting back on the road. I hope I employ a healthier balance as we reenter the world.
Organization and resting my mind: they go hand in hand. Email is overwhelming and I don’t have a good system to stay organized. Thus it is hard for my mind to be calm..too many wake ups in the middle of night remembering who I need to respond to. If anyone has advice, I would take it!
How I Keep It Together to Stay Well:
I make sure no matter how busy I am, I do my best to surround myself with my family and friends whether it be for a meal or a hike.
I do exercise regularly--pilates, barre, strength training, hiking/walking and rowing.
I am constantly learning from people, from reading, taking it all in and applying it as it makes sense to my life and to work.
Networking. There are so many good people, good ideas, supportive people who share a passion for doing good in this world. I feel like there are many life long learners and cannot get enough!
COVID has been a good reminder to slow down--a great silver lining that I want to hang onto.
What Inspires Me:
Using business as a means to do good by people and purpose.
My family for not just tolerating how drastically I changed the course of our lives by getting into the wine industry but also being so supported by my husband and kids. I absolutely love watching my kids be their own people and watching them grow and see who they have become.
Connections to the people of Brooks--I learn so much and appreciate the sincere support and interaction. It is good people that make life worth living and I feel like I am surrounded by the very best people whether it be my team, the trade and industry folks and all of the amazing Brooks supporters! They all inspire me to work hard and make Brooks the best it can be.
Travel. There is so much to see and learn in the world. A constant reminder of just how small we are.
A Quote I Love:
“Peace! Bread! Land! Wine!" - Brooks Wine mantra
The best way to reach Janie is over email at janie@brookswine.com or by phone at 1.831.238.4828.
NEW Episode: The Fine Line Podcast - Episode 20: Gina Giugni
For select episodes of The Fine Line Podcast: Balancing Hedonism & Health, Cathy will be adding a short meditation or mindfulness segment to complement the theme of the podcast. For the latest episode, the team speaks with Gina Giugni of Scar of the Sea and Lady of the Sunshine in San Luis Obispo, California.
The Fine Line Podcast is co-hosted by Lisabeth Danneels and Emily Gold. Even the sub-title (Hedonism & Health) indicates the commonalities with A Balanced Glass. Please check them out!
Shop our ABG Merchandise
Hydration, safety and style are all possible with ABG Merch.
The offerings are a small list of high quality items that we have road-tested and reviewed, and hope they help support your self-care, while staying hydrated, safe, and stylish! << Check it out here >>
