What makes you come alive?

As this Christmas is looking different from most I’ve decided to try and look at it as an  opportunity - Whilst it won’t be choc full of meet ups and gatherings, it does offer space for a proper pause and reflection.

Inspired by a conversation between Dr Rangan Chatterjee and Matthew McConaughey that I listened to recently, I wanted to offer a meaty enquiry to mull over the Christmas break, should you want to.

'What are the things that make you feel truly, life-tinglingly, alive and do you prioritise them in your life?' 

I won't define 'feeling alive', as it is unique to each of us, but read on to find out what aliveness means to me and for a few reading and listening recommendations if you're looking for some.

Aliveness for me means feeling lost in the moment and at peace with myself. There’s a sense of freedom and ease in my body and the way it moves, a security about who I am and firm belief in what I can do. There are a few ways in which I get to this place and, as I welled up watching my little girl enthralled by her first ballet class, I realised that dancing is one of those ways but that I no longer make time for it.

In many of my most vivid childhood memories I am dancing, flowing, moving, breathing and smiling. I’m often moved by music and dancing, as a child and teenager, was a way to connect with and release the emotion it triggered, particularly during challenging times. I’ve never forgotten the sensation of knowing a dance inside out and just being able to sink into the music and let it take over. In those moments all else fell away - the judgements, fears and worries in my head evaporated and I was free, present, alive!

The grinning mugshot at the beginning is me outside the door to the dance studio where I spent many happy hours growing up. I see joy, self-assurance and mischief in there, despite the fact that I'm just about to go into an exam.

Do you have an equivalent that makes you feel truly alive? If so do you make space for it in your life and how could you do more of it?

My commitment in 2021 is to go back to dancing classes. I’ve already found a local class and I can't wait to start. I'm sharing this as a way to hold myself to account - When we put things out into the world in some way they suddenly become more likely to happen.

What’s your commitment to yourself in 2021 that will bring you greater aliveness after this year of loss and uncertainty?