Staying Grounded in a Crazy World
Aceso: Goddess of the Process of Healing
I paint a lot now. It’s become a daily meditation—a quiet return to myself through color, texture, and breath. As I painted this image of a medicine woman, she spoke to me of her power. She is Aceso, Goddess of the process of healing. Not of sudden miracles. Not of quick fixes. But of the gentle, sacred unfolding—one breath, one choice, one brushstroke at a time.
In a world that demands instant results, she whispers:
“Healing is not a straight line.
It is a spiral.
A slow becoming.
Trust the process.”
She offers us:
Patience with our journey
Compassion for our wounds
Trust in daily rituals and small acts of care
Staying grounded in a crazy world doesn’t mean ignoring the chaos.
It means rooting deeper, breathing slower, and remembering who you are beneath the noise.
Lately, I’ve been diving deep into trauma and healing. I wanted to share some gentle tools to help you stay connected to yourself—especially on the hard days.
When we’ve gone through trauma, addiction, or overwhelming stress, it’s easy to live in our heads…or try to escape entirely. The mind races. Emotions overwhelm. We reach for anything that numbs it all.
But here’s the truth:
Healing happens when you come back into your body.
That’s where your wisdom lives.
Your gut instincts. Your emotional truth. Your strength.
When you’re in your body, you’re not trapped in regret or fear.
You’re here. And that’s where your power is.
These practices are simple.
No tools, no pressure. Just ways to help you feel more steady and more like yourself. Try one or two. See what works for you.
10 Grounding Tools to Try
1. Full-Body Check-In (5–10 min)
Sit still. Start at your toes and slowly scan your body upward.
In your mind, say: “I feel my feet… my legs… my chest…”
Just notice. No judgment. Be here.
2. Reset Breathwork (3–5 min)
Inhale for 4.
Hold for 4.
Exhale for 6–8.
Repeat 5–10 times. This calms your nervous system and clears your head.
3. Daily Check-In Questions
Ask yourself:
• What am I feeling right now?
• What’s underneath that feeling?
• What do I need to stay steady today?
4. Talk to the Part That Wants to Escape
Say or write:
“I hear you. You’re trying to protect me.”
“What are you afraid of?”
“What do you need from me instead?”
5. Mantra for Hard Moments
Repeat:
“I’ve got myself. One breath at a time.”
Or:
“I’m staying in the fight for my future.”
6. Tapping for Calm (Butterfly Hug)
Cross your arms over your chest and gently tap—left, right, left, right—while breathing slowly. It helps regulate and soothe your nervous system.
7. Shake It Off (1–2 min)
Stand up. Shake your hands, arms, legs. Roll your shoulders.
Let out a sound with your exhale:
“Haaa…”
(Yes, I do this every morning. My husband laughs, but it works!)
8. Write a Letter to Future You
Start with:
“Dear me, a year from now…”
Tell yourself what you’re working on, what you’re proud of, and what you’re never going back to.
9. Breathe + Hum (1–3 min)
Take a deep breath. As you exhale, hum or say “mmm” or “ahhh.” Let the vibration relax your chest and nervous system.
10. Hand on Heart (2–10 min)
One hand on your heart, one on your belly.
Breathe in and say:
“I’m right here. I’ve got me.”
Return to yourself.
Why These Work: A Quick Science Note
Your vagus nerve connects your brain to your body—running through your throat, heart, lungs, and gut. It’s the key to calming your system.
When you breathe slowly, hum, tap, or rest your hand on your chest, you activate the vagus nerve. This shifts your body from “fight or flight” to healing mode.
You’re not just calming your mind—you’re telling your whole body:
“You’re safe now.”
Every gentle breath you take is retraining your nervous system to trust again.
It’s how healing happens—from the inside out.
From my soul journey to yours,
Maria
