Reset:Allowing the Nervous System to Soften
Last week we were in SunRiver, enjoying bikes, board games, and autumn’s golden hues in the sunshine.
Interestingly, I didn’t think about work projects at all, which felt like a win, and the trip allowed my nervous system to reset in a deep and surprising way.
Usually my mind is busy with ideas and projects, no matter where I am, so letting that go and simply being in the pleasure of the moment felt wonderful. The joy that simple pleasures bring is powerful medicine.
I’m learning to value myself more in all things. These days, that looks like not continually producing, proving, or saying yes to opportunities that don’t truly light me up. It takes courage, trust, and a willingness to live in the mystery of what is unfolding.
And with that mystery comes curiosity and a quiet sense of adventure once you loosen fear’s grip. That part isn’t easy. I spent decades in survival mode, and those long-held patterns don’t disappear overnight. It takes effort to step into deeper self-awareness and become more conscious of your choices. Yet when you can step back, even slightly, and see the broader landscape of your life, it becomes fascinating.
Transformation doesn’t always have to take a long time. Miraculous shifts can happen when you’re ready, willing, and able. These days, the opportunity for quantum leaps is more available than ever. It’s an exciting time, though not always an easy or comfortable one.
As you move through your day, try this:
Notice one moment when your body feels at ease. When your nervous system relaxes. Pause and let that pleasure infuse your cells, your DNA, your light fibers. Let your body know you’re listening. It carries so much wisdom.
Notice the small smile that forms when something feels deliciously good. Maybe even make the sound Yummmmm, as if tasting the most exquisite flavor. Play with the tone—like a wave of yum moving through you. What would that sound like?
When you feel rushed or tense, whisper “soften.” Let your shoulders drop. Unclench your jaw. Offer yourself a subtle smile. Notice what shifts in that tiny pause. Even one breath of softening invites ease and grace. I am here. I am safe in this moment.
When we take even one small step toward caring for ourselves, we create a quiet ripple of ease, joy, and clarity in everything we touch.
If you’d like to explore more practices like this, you’ll find them woven throughout my books Calmly Centered and Generating Joy.
This is a post from my Substack site. If you’d like to read my weekly reflections, do check it out. You may subscribe for free to receive new posts directly to you inbox (usually each Sunday). Suzanne’s Substack - Staying Wild, Being Free.
