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Abstract

ll for one (Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@hannahbusing?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Hannah Busing</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a>)</figcaption></figure><h1 id="ae68">The solution</h1>My morning routine has been my anchor for years.Since discovering Medium, I have to confess that I’ve been creating content before consuming and forgetting to create some internal sunshine first.Not anymore! I’ve returned to getting out of bed and rolling out the yoga mat (I make a cuppa first).I start with three sets of heavy-duty breathing exercises (Bhastrika praṇ̄ayāma) and go into a 15-minute meditation or priming (priming invites gratitude into your day).I then focus on my breath with a 4 x 4 count while doing at least ten slow and steady Sun Salutations. I like to feel the burn.There are days when a longer routine follows this, but it’s usually enough to feel human enough to face the day.I focus on this simple routine because I know it’s the answer to finding flow and connecting with humanity; it will also allow life to happen when it’s supposed to (even if it slows down content creation).<figure id="50ab"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*-jGbrncwQsvFvhBX"><figcaption>The art of breathing (Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@maxvdo?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Max van den Oetelaar</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a>)</figcaption></figure><h1 id="9274">How does this apply to Medium?</h1>I’m not one for telling people that yoga and meditation are the answer to all their problems (you need to be open to it).There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Some people go quiet by reading or taking a walk; others find solace pumping iron or sweating their butts off in a sauna.You have to do what feels good for you.Yet, there’s possibly something you’re hiding in plain sight that can help you find flow like a fallen leaf floating downstream with the current to the sea.<blockquote id="2c54">And that’s my point! The universe will find a way to support you when you’re open & honest with yourself and others about what makes you tick.</blockquote>There have been days when I’ve made the mistake of forcing myself to write for Medium’s hungry algorithm instead of allowing the words or story to find me.<blockquote id="8090">Are you perhaps doing the same? Are you chasing metrics and forgetting to take care of yourself first?</blockquote><figure id="4fe1"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*I6LPNa6c9vhJQd75"><figcaption>Freedom! (Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@zacdurant?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Zac Durant</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a>)</figcaption></figure><h1 id="def2">Final thoughts</h1>I know it’s scary to put yourself out there.Very few people seem to ‘get’ my laidback attitude to life (it outright annoys people who only care about results that benefit them — it sucks to absorb the kind of energy that doesn’t exist within me).Ironically, these people fail to understand it’s possible to speed up by slowing down (I guess they care more about vanity metrics and control).</p

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In other words, wish them well, but put yourself first. Stop worrying about the metrics — your readers will find you — success on Medium will find you.<blockquote id="4db2">Especially when you use your voice to express yourself in your own special way that shows the world who you are (without fear or a filter). This is how you create a little sunshine to help those who are struggling to step into the light.</blockquote><figure id="5610"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*zg2FXzONMilmch4gVX9neg.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>▶ So tell me in the comments, did you enjoy this story? Are you hiding any special gifts that could elevate your freedom of expression?▶ Don’t forget to clap if you’re in a rush to hit the yoga mat.Disclaimer: I feel compelled to state the nightmare doesn’t stem from childhood memories — I have nothing but glorious memories of hanging out with the men in my family (they’re all laid back yet wickedly hilarious).<h1 id="4f43">Wanna hit the yoga mat, or are you hungry for more tips?</h1>▶ <a href="https://readmedium.com/mediums-80-20-rule-in-action-why-most-of-your-posts-make-0-07-ceb8c6c78cfd">Click below</a> to see why 80% of your stories flop on Medium.<div id="f78d" class="link-block">

      <a href="https://readmedium.com/mediums-80-20-rule-in-action-why-most-of-your-posts-make-0-07-ceb8c6c78cfd">

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            <h2>Medium’s 80–20 Rule in Action (Why Most of Your Posts Make $0.07)</h2>
            <div><h3>How the Pareto Effect can make you feel like Medium is the eighth plague of Egypt</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><p id="aebd">▶ <a href="https://readmedium.com/to-write-or-not-to-write-that-is-the-question-e349972d04c7"><b>Click below</b></a> for a way to escape a writer’s slump.</p><div id="5568" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/to-write-or-not-to-write-that-is-the-question-e349972d04c7">
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          <div>
            <h2>To Write or Not to Write, That is the Question</h2>
            <div><h3>A short story to get me out of a slump</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
          </div>
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    </div><h1 id="0dcb">Love my content?</h1><p id="0f88"><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/elliekingswell">Click here to buy me a coffee</a> (no obligations) because your generosity will help me work toward lifestyle freedom to bring even more great content.</p><figure id="1bda"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*KmC__sbvCjxamznt1OqVaA.png"><figcaption>Author’s screenshot</figcaption></figure><figure id="2122"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*xuNyD-JlnBY7v7cksZaoKg.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="345d"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*kCmlc_RCr1Sgj9xOX2K1VQ.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></article></body>

🌟SPIRITUALITY | LIFE LESSONS | WRITING🌟

What are you hiding in plain sight that could help others?

Create your own sunshine when the world gets you down

(Happy Woman Enjoying the Sunshine by Hispanolistic on Canva from Getty Images — Canva Pro Image)

▶ Not a paid member yet? Click this link for the free version of this story.

This morning, I woke up late after what can only be described as a nightmare.

I was still shaken by being surrounded by a pack of angry men who wanted blood because I dared to speak.

How very dare I speak up after all?

Luckily, this was my imagination playing sadistic tricks on me to overexaggerate how I’ve felt internally at times in my life.

Even though this dream was a darker side of my imagination at play, it felt mighty f-ing real.

Therefore, I started my day the right way. And that brings us to the essence of what I’ve been hiding in plain sight for years.

The problem: I started to deny a part of me for fear of not being taken seriously at work! After all, what do woo-woo yogis have to contribute to the world of e-commerce?

Some dreams are darker than others (Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash)

I’m one of the most pragmatic and down-to-earth yogis on the planet — and like all yogis, we have a lot to contribute if you care to listen.

We don’t chase ROIs, KPIs, or any metrics for those driven by pursuing dreams drip-fed by shareholders or zealots who only care about how it looks (mostly in the form of their end-of-year bonus).

We support company values, dreams and manifestos, but not at the expense of health and well-being or when we feel forced to conform (you cannot have our God-given free will — it was a gift).

But we do care about NPS. Yes, we care about each and every customer and their journey and all that jazz, but we care more about the welfare of our colleagues (morale and longevity are more important).

Why? If we can’t stand shoulder to shoulder and support the amazing people cheering us on, then someone, please tell me, what is the point?

Success rarely exists in a silo — you need the support, ideas & warmth of the people around you to succeed at anything (the same applies on Medium).

I have some of the best colleagues in the world who bring me nothing but sunshine and laughter (but where there’s sunshine, there’s always a little rain).

All for one (Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash)

The solution

My morning routine has been my anchor for years.

Since discovering Medium, I have to confess that I’ve been creating content before consuming and forgetting to create some internal sunshine first.

Not anymore! I’ve returned to getting out of bed and rolling out the yoga mat (I make a cuppa first).

I start with three sets of heavy-duty breathing exercises (Bhastrika praṇ̄ayāma) and go into a 15-minute meditation or priming (priming invites gratitude into your day).

I then focus on my breath with a 4 x 4 count while doing at least ten slow and steady Sun Salutations. I like to feel the burn.

There are days when a longer routine follows this, but it’s usually enough to feel human enough to face the day.

I focus on this simple routine because I know it’s the answer to finding flow and connecting with humanity; it will also allow life to happen when it’s supposed to (even if it slows down content creation).

The art of breathing (Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash)

How does this apply to Medium?

I’m not one for telling people that yoga and meditation are the answer to all their problems (you need to be open to it).

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Some people go quiet by reading or taking a walk; others find solace pumping iron or sweating their butts off in a sauna.

You have to do what feels good for you.

Yet, there’s possibly something you’re hiding in plain sight that can help you find flow like a fallen leaf floating downstream with the current to the sea.

And that’s my point! The universe will find a way to support you when you’re open & honest with yourself and others about what makes you tick.

There have been days when I’ve made the mistake of forcing myself to write for Medium’s hungry algorithm instead of allowing the words or story to find me.

Are you perhaps doing the same? Are you chasing metrics and forgetting to take care of yourself first?

Freedom! (Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash)

Final thoughts

I know it’s scary to put yourself out there.

Very few people seem to ‘get’ my laidback attitude to life (it outright annoys people who only care about results that benefit them — it sucks to absorb the kind of energy that doesn’t exist within me).

Ironically, these people fail to understand it’s possible to speed up by slowing down (I guess they care more about vanity metrics and control).

In other words, wish them well, but put yourself first. Stop worrying about the metrics — your readers will find you — success on Medium will find you.

Especially when you use your voice to express yourself in your own special way that shows the world who you are (without fear or a filter). This is how you create a little sunshine to help those who are struggling to step into the light.

▶ So tell me in the comments, did you enjoy this story? Are you hiding any special gifts that could elevate your freedom of expression?

▶ Don’t forget to clap if you’re in a rush to hit the yoga mat.

Disclaimer: I feel compelled to state the nightmare doesn’t stem from childhood memories — I have nothing but glorious memories of hanging out with the men in my family (they’re all laid back yet wickedly hilarious).

Wanna hit the yoga mat, or are you hungry for more tips?

▶ Click below to see why 80% of your stories flop on Medium.

Medium’s 80–20 Rule in Action (Why Most of Your Posts Make $0.07)

How the Pareto Effect can make you feel like Medium is the eighth plague of Egypt

medium.com

▶ Click below for a way to escape a writer’s slump.

To Write or Not to Write, That is the Question

A short story to get me out of a slump

medium.com

Love my content?

Click here to buy me a coffee (no obligations) because your generosity will help me work toward lifestyle freedom to bring even more great content.