Everyday Practices
The People Who Matter
For Meaningful Connection and Kindness
US$6 5 practices · 7 tracks · listen or download
Get the pack · US$6The people who matter to us shape so much of how we feel. When we’re close, things feel lighter. When we’ve been hurt, or we’ve hurt someone, or we just feel on the outside of things, it can weigh on us more than we let on.
Everyone has periods of feeling disconnected. It’s part of being human. And the way back usually starts small: noticing what we value in someone, a kind word, a simple ‘I’m sorry I hurt you’, or a few slow breaths for ourselves when there’s no one else around.
Some of these practices ask you to bring someone to mind. Others turn the same kindness back towards you. When times are tough, the mind will often give us reasons not to be kind to ourselves. That’s normal, and we can choose kindness anyway.
There are five tracks here. Two also come in shorter versions, for when you’d like a quick reminder rather than the full practice.
What’s inside
Meaningful Connection
2 versions
Full version · 11 minShorter version · 6 min
For when you’d like to feel closer to the people you care about. It starts with a reminder that ‘everyone has periods of feeling disconnected’. Then you recall a time with someone you enjoy being with: their tone of voice, the qualities they were showing, and how you were with them. It ends with a few intentions for your day, like letting the person in front of you come into focus as a unique individual. The shorter version ends after the memory, without the intentions.
When Kindness Feels Absent
4 min
For a day when kindness seems to be missing around you. A short reminder that we all pass through times like this, and that unkind thoughts are part of the mind’s habits too. Kindness is something you can still choose, in a phrase to yourself or a small act for someone else. Then a few words to take with you: ‘When kindness feels absent around me, I choose to offer care to myself, and let this ripple outwards.’
Let Me Tell You About You
2 versions
Full version · 7 minAffirmations only · 4 min
For telling someone what they mean to you, even if only in your head. You bring someone close to your heart to mind and finish simple sentences about them, like ‘You inspire me because…’ and ‘You made me smile when you…’. Then come affirmations, ‘I love telling people about what I appreciate in them’, before you’re given the choice of turning the same sentences towards yourself. The shorter version keeps just the affirmations.
Three Steps to Sorry
11 min
For when you’ve hurt someone and want to make it right. I talk through why apologies are hard, and how explaining our intentions can get in the way. Step one is a clear, sincere ‘I’m sorry that I hurt you’, without the reasons. Step two, only if you’re both open to it, is sharing what you were each feeling at the time. Step three is letting go and trusting the process as things unfold. I also share why I made this audio.
When I Feel Isolated
7 min
For when you feel alone, even with people around you. I talk about how the pain of disconnection has a job to do, and how pulling back can be our mind and body trying to protect us. Then slow breaths, with ‘here’ on the in-breath and ‘now’ on the out-breath. You might picture one small act of connection for today. It closes with ‘Your feelings make sense. You matter’, and ‘May I be gentle with myself, even when I feel alone.’ It mentions work, but fits anywhere.