I recently met with a friend, and she asked me how I am. Leading me to share how done and exhausted I felt that day. That instead of working on my to-do’s and exercising, I sat on the sofa with tea and a book as I felt so drained, nothing left. And that I felt …
Last year’s guidance was “connection”, and looking back – yes, it was such a year. I do not feel the need for too many people around me, but the new connections I made were meaningful, deep and inspiring. As life continues, some connections deepen while others have been there for a particular time. But even those more …
Connection-with others, to myself and the country I live in. Sometimes that means we need to connect deeply and be able to let go entirely.
Do we hear or are we listening? Hearing – it’s what we do naturally, often without having to put in any effort. But listening…really listening, does not come natural to many, if you ask me. To really listen, asks for more awareness and attention and real presence. As the definition goes, Merriam-Webster defines hearing as …
Ok, here it is. This “getting back to normal” saying is doing something to me. I know I might overthink that one. I assume, mostly it’s meant in regards to being able to meet family and friends, be out and about, work, schooling, doing day to day things, etc without restrictions and masks. But, I …
“Getting back to normal” – is that really the goal? Read More »
Ok, I’m almost laughing as I write. And this whole process of writing this blog post just shows me again how much I need this. Yes, my seemingly simple word for 2021 isn’t that simple for me! What’s my word and intention setting for this year you wonder? It’s simple – Simplify. Yes, that word …
Dear readers, A bit delayed but from the heart – my virtual advent calendar for you. What a year this was and still is. We all experienced and dealt with this year differently. Every country had it’s own way of dealing with it. Every family went through it and was / is affected by in different …
As the days go on a lot of us feel the additional tiredness creeping in. Partly, it’s due to nearing the end of the year. This change of season tiredness. But most likely we feel the Covid19 tiredness even more. Yes, there seems to be a heavy mental shift in the air, no matter where …
Wow I can’t believe it’s done. We reached the end of chapter one! Our first year in Oman is not quite over yet, since we moved here in August 2019 but our first school year at ABA Oman, and even more significantly, our first 14 weeks of home-learning are officially over today. 14 weeks, 98 …
The Japanese practise the art of fixing broken objects. They say that things that break don’t necessarily become useless. No, instead something that suffered a damage has a history! And by showing the scars it can become (even more) beautiful! Isn’t that just a lovely way to look at things? The mending of broken pieces with …
It took a while but by now, I learned to love the cabbage the has been a part of our regular veggie box. Yes, I needed some time and inspiration what to do with it, and to start liking that veg. But after a few weeks now, I particularly like the variety of salads out there, …
Over the past weeks I’ve been talking about characters strengths, taking a character survey (*), reading books, listening to podcasts and participating in an online course around bravery, courage and confidence. And I started to wonder even more about those words – bravery, courage and confidence. How do I see them? What do they mean …
Do you have these moments that you really do want to write but don’t find a way to put all that’s in your head in order? The moments when you have words yet nothing to write? These weeks mess with my head and ideas and thoughts. It’s so much that is happening, yet as well …
It’s been quiet here on my blog as I tried to get to terms and find a rhythm in the days. I’m still not there yet and wonder if I ever will as the situation keeps on changing. But I miss my blog and need to find a way to get back into it all. …
Last week I went for a run. It was my birthday and I wanted to have some time just for myself. And a birthday run at the beach was what I was longing for. It was a truly gorgeous morning, not too hot, a light breeze and an empty wide beach at low tide. And …
These past weeks I get my energy from connecting in a different way. I mentioned already a bit on my Facebook page and Instagram about having started a Masterminding group here in Oman. And reflecting on how the three of us feel and the group dynamic I want to share a bit more because there certainly …
Winter-or moving-blues? I’m tired at times to read and hear and be told about all the things we need to do, have to do, must do, should do. There are days I just want to put a pillow over my head. I want to scream and be alone. Or stay cuddled up on the couch. …
Want to add something green to the dinner table? I started to mix up a bowl of Tabbouleh now and then. It definitely has something to do with living in the Middle East and the weather I find! Such a nice scent and refreshing colour and taste. And it can easily be pre-prepared and leftovers make …
It was the time of the year again when I led my mind wander, to see what it brings to me in regards to my intention for the year to come. As mentioned in a previous post, the intention for “own it” for 2019 took a different turn over the year. In a good way at …
Are you tired by store-bought bread? Then I invite you to try these super easy quick weekend bread rolls! A few weeks ago I asked on my private Facebook for easy bread recipes. I’m tired by the fluffy bread from the stores here and have been thinking about making my own bread (without a bread …
As some of you might know, I’ve been setting yearly intentions for quite a while now. Not just an intention, a motto, actually. One that I keep close to me throughout the year. I don’t have one for the year to come yet, but I took the time for a reflection on the 2019 motto …
Those who follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram know what the previous weeks have been like. Kind of a “normal” moving time with its ups and downs. It has been exciting, challenging, joyful, stressful, mind-opening, tiring, overwhelming, hair pulling, funny, refreshing… all combined with a body and mental detox. Yet, even though the emotions were, …
More than just a book review on “The Perfection Detox” Read More »
We are into our 8th week of the move and it has been an interesting personal journey with a lot of positive anticipation. I feel less overwhelmed, pressured and stressed and am overall more at ease. And I do believe a big part for that is that I (subconsciously?) replaced expectations with anticipation. To be …
With every move, we need to bridge a few weeks in a temporary apartment until we find a new home and our container arrives. And more often than not the kitchens are not really well equipped. We manage, we have all the basics like 2 pots and a pan and knives. But no extra electrical …
When you only have one pot to cook – Porcupine Meatballs Read More »
My blog has been a bit quiet over the summer but life wasn’t quiet at all. Why? Because we only got our move confirmed by the end of June – from Tokyo, Japan to Muscat, Oman. It didn’t come as a total surprise. It’s been brewing for a while but still – a move is …
Relaxation is a process that leaves the body and mind relaxed and calm, yet focused. There are many different ways to relax but I find visualisation one of the easiest ones to get into. Especially when times are stressy, it’s a quick way to feel more grounded and balanced again. Do you use it as a relaxation …
Being in the midst of the (long) summer vacation and other life happenings mean that I have little time for myself. Add to that a rainy season in the big city and three kids at home – most of their friends gone – and you might be able to imagine how my days go at …
Today I want to share a bit why I chose “at ease” and what it means to me. It’s more than just a name. It’s a deep feeling I want to achieve for and within myself and for others around me. We often hear we should aim for happiness. But for me, it’s the feeling …
A lot is being said about how we should be authentic, true to ourselves. But there are times I struggle with it all, how about you? When I look at myself, I changed a lot over the years. And there are certain life happenings that have heavily influenced my overall approach on life and how …
It’s always nice when the kids inspire you to try something new. A while ago my youngest came home, telling me that they had baked Strawberry Muffins. Fast forward a few weeks and I finally tried them myself. Oh my, the kitchen smelled divine while the muffins baked! Yumm. I’m glad I baked them while …
Hi there, let’s take a moment and think of how we breathe. Deep, conscious but relaxed breathing brings a great mind-body connection. Personally, I love to focus on it several times throughout the day. The instant benefit is amazing and it gives a ‘breather’, a moment of calmness. At times I imagine my breath moving …
I had this great thought to write about Zen, and what it means to me, and to find out what it means to others. But … writing about “being Zen” in a moment when there is anything but Zen around me blocked me quite a bit I have to admit. And instead of starting to …
Where do you find inspiration? And when was the last time you really got inspired and what sparked it? Inspiration means “a sudden brilliant idea” and “the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially something creative” as stated in various dictionaries. But what is it that inspires us? It can be …
When it comes to stretching I think most of us will agree that stretching the body comes to mind, or? But I find it’s equally important to stretch our mind. Therefore I’ll have a quick look at what stretching can do for both. Let’s have a look at the body first. Sadly a “good stretch” is …
How a book, a poem and a piece of art all connect to my life! It’s funny how things can go hand in hand and connect in the most unexpected moments, don’t you think? As you might know, I live in Tokyo, Japan for almost 4 years now. And it was the move here that …
What I enjoy when baking this cake is the different process of preparation. As often in Japan, it’s about the attention to detail. So instead of “just” measuring your sugar and flour, you match the weight of the ingredients to the weight of the eggs you use. No “rush-rush”, but being in the moment while …
Accepting the country and culture you live in, relationships you encounter, your self-image, your emotions and feelings are not always easy. Fighting against something that we can’t change drains us, takes a lot of energy. There comes a point when we need to make a decision. Will we allow that situation to further drain us …
Over the past weeks I shared thoughts on eight Wellness Pillars, in general and with a twist as an expatriate. After all it’s so much more than “just” exercise and nutrition. Wellness is how we take care about our body and mind. Yes, it might be an overused and at times misunderstood word. But don’t …
The Occupational Wellness is the last but not least part in my 8 Wellness Pillars overview. In short, this Wellness aspects means that we need to have a balance when it comes to our work environment and the work situation itself. To YOU feel satisfied when it comes to what you do? Do you feel …
Now and then we all crave something new. How about some easy to make Cranberries Granola Bars? Last week I wanted to try a new healthy school and to-go snack. We all got a bit tired of the granola bars we can buy here. And let’s be honest – the bought ones are often filled …
Financial issues … they can have a heavy impact as well on the emotional and physical wellbeing. Therefore paying attention to your Financial Wellness is crucial for you. But talking about finances is not something we easily do. With today’s blog, I want to give a better understanding of what Financial Wellness means, share steps …
Environmental Wellness – it plays such a big role nowadays. After all, it has an impact on how we interact with the nature around us we can protect the world the environment influences our personal well being. How does the environment we find ourselves in make us feel? And are we respectful of what is …
The past two wellness blogs were about our Intellectual and Spiritual Wellness. Both sound a bit dry I have to admit that myself. But don’t get fooled by the titles, the fun comes when you go a bit deeper. Because what both of them actually want to help us with is to take time to …
Out of all eight wellness aspects that I’m covering the spiritual one seems to be the most personal one. Yet often the one we exchange about the least. I wonder why. Overall the Spiritual Wellness simply invites us to be curious, playful, supportive, forgiving, quiet and reflective. And isn’t that something to really embrace in …
Intellectual Wellness sounds rather educational but don’t shy away because it’s actually very down to earth. When we refer to the Intellectual Wellness it means to participate in scholastic, cultural, and community activities. And it’s important as it helps to expand knowledge and skills in order to live a stimulating, successful life. (source: https://news.illinoisstate.edu) And I …
If I’m being really honest, I’m hesitant to use the word “holistic”. I believe in a holistic approach but I don’t always connect to the word itself. How about you? I keep thinking about the word, what it represents, what it stands for but as well how we might not feel connected to it. Why …
“Emotional wellness is the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times.” (National Institute of Health, NIH) Emotional Wellbeing is a tough one as we often run away from our own emotions. When they are uncomfortable or when life takes over and it’s hectic or we feel stressed. In such …
Physical wellness, is it just exercise? No, there’s more to it. It’s an overall package of keeping active, making sure to get sufficient sleep and maintaining healthy(ish) eating habits. A weak(er) physical wellbeing can affect all areas of our overall well-being. But keeping this physical wellness balanced isn’t always easy and it takes effort; too …
Thoughts and recipes for easier socialising. If you are anything like me, you feel a bit overwhelmed and stressed by the pure thought of having 4 or more people over to your home and “having to” cater for them. Yes – no? If “no”, I admire you but still invite you to keep reading for some …
As promised in my previous post I am digging deeper into the eight pillars of Wellness for, but not limited to, Expatriates and Repatriates. And I decided to start with the Social Wellness. Why? Because as somebody on the move for almost 20 years I feel this can be one of the toughest ones. Sometimes …
Wellness and well-being; we speak a lot about those words. Sometimes they speak to us and trigger something good. Sometimes they are overused and become “buzz words” with no attention. And at other times both terms are frowned upon. What do wellness and well-being actually mean? Are they both the same or can they be …
Perhaps he got inspired by Tokyo’s blue winter sky, but when I asked my youngest what kind of muffins we should bake he said “something with blue”. So, out we went and got some Blueberries – for delicious tasting Blueberry Muffins. And as the oven was heating up our cold, chilly kitchen, after we mixed …
Life at times is crazy, busy, overwhelming, exciting, fun, challenging, joyful, sad, thrilling, lonely, discouraging, calm… you name it. It’s our life, and we have every right to own it, what do you say? In my previous post, I wrote about intention settings. I mentioned as well that I was toying around with my 2019 intention. …
Do you like the question “What are your goals for the New Year?” No? Well, you’re in good company, me neither. I prefer and connect more to an intention setting process. I like to take time to reflect on the year that passed and play around with ideas, wishes and hopes for the year to …
I keep on trying to get my family into soup, but it’s a bigger task than expected. But the days are getting colder the thought of a hot soup is warming my soul. So, I’m not giving up, and I will keep on trying to find an easy to make, family approved, soup! If you …
Christmas Season, woohoo, it’s finally here! To enjoy it even more, let me share 5 quick fixes to feel At Ease this Christmas Season! I, especially, love the start of this season. The excitement, the decoration, the baking and Christmas music. In our household, it all kicks off on Dec 1st. It’s all so nice …
5 quick fixes to feel At Ease this Christmas Season Read More »
The days get shorter and cooler and I keep indulging on a nice cup of Chai tea. But Chai is not only great as tea, I recently experimented with a new muffin recipe I found under https://cafedelites.com. Like all the recipes I share as well this one is easy made and with simple ingredients. And …
Funny how a skatepark brought connections to real-life situations. I was watching my kids cruising around, challenging themselves and I could notice when the overthinking started and what it did to them at that moment. The moment when they took too long when they started to analyse any possible outcome, losing their easiness. One could see …
How about you, have you been busy-busy or productive busy? Do you feel overwhelmed? I have been more busy-busy than ever over the past weeks. Yet some things, like my blog, have taken its toll. At the same time I can’t say that I have been unproductive. But I did get sidetracked, overwhelmed and a bit lost …
Expectations are a strong belief that something will be the case, happen or that we are looking forward to something. And if we think about it , we all have them in almost everything; the small and the big things in life; in others and in ourselves – a holiday, the weather, friends, how a …
Would you agree that summertime and Christmas are special times? There is certain buzz in both of them as both are filled with fun, joy and excitement. But they can as well bring tension, stress and exhaustion. For those living far away from family, summer holidays often mean going home or having family visiting. And …
As I walk the streets these days, the sound of “ritsch-ratsch” comes out of open windows, moving trucks are parked around many corners. A clear sign that summer holidays are about to start – and so does moving time for many. With 16 years on the go, summer time is kind of “same – same …
Finally I did it! I did it the Japanese way! I am not sure why I waited that long, but better late than never – I tried different approach to (chicken) meatballs – I added tofu. And I am happy to report that they we were well loved! The tofu adds a lighter, softer texture …
Book review take away. Similar reasons may lead us to this book but we are all coming from a different angle, a different background and we will connect to it in a different way. Therefore, rather then writing what I liked or didn’t like (*), I’ll share a few points that inspired me, while reading …
Ok I have to admit I am still giggling about this one. This week I baked some muffins so that I can give some alternative snacks to school. I often bake the Oat and Apple ones but I was looking for something different, preferable with vegetables and not again the carrot cake muffins (minus the frosting). …
Have you ever been to Japan in early Spring? If so, you will have noticed that almost everything seems to come in all shades of pink. Springtime here equals the bloom of the Cherry Blossom – and the whole country goes a bit crazy. It seems that everybody gets addicted to this ‘pink-spirited-season’, also called Cherry …
A few weeks ago I posted this picture on the At Ease Facebook page. This truly was a big lesson I took on for myself last year. For some this may sound minor but to me and I believe many others it is something that takes us fully out of our comfort zone. Why is …
No matter how you call it, may it being mindful, being aware or in the moment. All this is easy(er) to practise and believe in when we are in a good spot, when it all runs smooth. But it is the moments when life throws us a curve-ball that we tend to drop it all. …
One year comes to an end, another one is about to start. For many it is a time to slow down, to reflect on what was and what may lie ahead, time to make New Year Resolutions. Instead of New Year Resolutions I reflect on the previous year and try to set a new intention …
Christmas time means as well holiday time for the kids. Time to slow down – time to get bored now and then. I like it when kids get bored, as they often get creative. When my son got bored this time, he grabbed Jamie Oliver`s cooking book, picked a recipe and asked if we can …
Before everybody gets too caught up in the December craziness a quick greeting to you all!
Often we define loneliness by a certain kind of sadness for being alone, caused by lack of company. But there is another kind of loneliness that seems to spread more and more. The loneliness you experience while being (with)in company. Feeling lonely while being surrounded by people, how can that be? Sadly, it is more …
Are you a non-believer, doubter, a cynic, a fact checker and/or wonder what all that humbug is about when it comes to Mindfulness? If only one of this is true this book is for you! But it is as well for you if you are already interested in Mindfulness and are simply looking for a …
10% Happier by Dan Harris – a book recommendation Read More »
Welcome NO-vember! No November blues this year! As we are coming towards the end of the year we more often than not start to feel worn out, exhausted and `off`. Well, at least I assume I am not alone out there feeling like that?! The past weeks have been dragging as I seem to have …
A few weeks ago I started a Bi-weekly Mindfulness Newsletter. I include formal and informal practices and hope to bring a sense of ease into the inbox. I chose bi-weekly to not be overwhelmed and to give time to focus on one topic. For today I would like to share my recently newsletter here, too, …
It got rainy here today. And it is Friday, the weekend is about to start. And the kids have friends over. All good reasons to get some chocolate cookies into the oven! First time I tried this recipe but thankfully it did not disappoint! Or should I say my Nigella Express book did not disappoint. …
At times the pictures you see when you search for meditation make me long for peace and quiet. Please beam me over right now! On other days they make me laugh. The setting seems to be always beautiful, calm and tranquil. The picture perfect meditation setting! But I wonder if that kind of “meditation cliche” …
Do you find yourself rushing through the day, the week, the weekends. Only to sit back in the evening asking where the day, the week or the month went and what you actually did? We often just go and rush from one big thing to the next, trying to accomplish as much as we can …
Balance – I am trying hard to not let it slip away in the hustle and bustle of day to day life. Not always easy especially when back in the big city life. During the summer I found my balance at a lake in Sweden. Back here in Tokyo? I am still searching! Where did you …
Often, and especially at Yoga, we talk about breathing patterns to calm us down, to help us to relax, to unwind. But we can use the breath to engerize, too. I tend to use it at times when I feel tired after a bad night sleep, struggling with jet lag or when I feel exhausted …
Carrots – not just for the rabbits! While on holiday in Sweden my son and I tried several carrot cakes and most of the ones we tried in the Cafe`s had the special twist with cardamom! It was a great treat to simply indulge, not too heavy, very fresh. Three days back at home and …
Life can be stressful and hectic and we easily lose track of time and what does us good! Add to that the pressure of “you should” – exercise, meditate, be mindful, relax, sleep, read, educate further – “at least every day for an x-amount” of time to succeed. Don`t we all already have enough pressure …
My kids love crackers and when we noticed we had no more, what better way than making your own?! All done in less than 20min. We may just stop buying them as the options for flavours seem endless and they are so quick and easily done! Below please find a recipe I found in a …
A good article on becoming more aware on how we react and how we can response in a better way. “Instead, we can learn to notice that there is a “space” before we react.” https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/making-change/201307/dont-just-react-choose-your-response
I got fed up by what we were eating, focusing too much on what the kids like, losing the balance in my meals and what I like. On top of that it got hot and nobody seems to be really hungry these days. So I took action and served hearty salad for dinner. Normal green salads …
Summer holidays started or are about to start. And if you have younger kids you know that means (very) limited time for yourself, let alone sports. Whether with kids, your partner, friends or alone a fun way to keep active and to increase endurance and speed for everybody is the “beep test”. In short a …
I am not really a poem person but during the Mindfulness Course and as I continue with it I do come across some that speak to me. Below I like to share another one as a reminder to slow down now and then! Take your cup of tea, coffee or your glass of wine or …
Sometimes it is in the most smallest, most subtle things… I have to confess that I was doubtful when I heard that we were about to practice the “gentle smile” (half smile) during our Mindfulness training. I immediately had an image of a fake smile popping up. But I soon learned how wrong my perception …
Before I even start – do not get me wrong, we all have crappy days, times that pull us down, when all and everybody seems to be too much. And we are all entitled to feel like that at times. But often it seems to me that that is what we mainly do; seeing the …
Dear readers and followers, I use my Facebook page for short updates, thoughts and inspirations. If you want please feel free to follow me there, too. https://www.facebook.com/ateaseandmore Have a lovely day AK
We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves. ~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama ~ I recently came across a book I would have never picked up myself due to its title “Happy for No Reason” by Marci Shimoff. As I mentioned in a previous blog (Happy life, the …
Don’t judge a book by its title – “Happy for No Reason” Read More »
We all know those moments when we feel upset, pressured, overwhelmed or uncomfortable. Especially in such situations we tend to become disconnected to what is actually happening around us. Here comes a little awareness exercise I got to know during my mindfulness course. It may come in helpful to be be more “there”, in the present moment, …
My kids are not fans of peanut butter and I can’t blame them, I only started to like it as a young adult myself. But I recently remembered that they liked some peanut butter cookies they tried when visiting friends over the summer. And I remembered my friend telling me how easy and quick they …
A while ago I came across this article (https://freefromtoxic.com/2015/06/16/the-8-most-common-narc-sadistic-conversation-control-tactics/) and shared it on Facebook. And quite few came back and thanked me for sharing. It seems the article struck a chord with some people out there. The above link gives a great description of narcissistic behaviours and I won’t go into that any further. But what …
This week something a little bit different – a poem. It seems to be a well know poem within mindfulness courses and when I listened to it this week I understood why. Will you feel the same?! Sit down, relax and simply be while reading this one. The Guest House This being human is a guest …
I used to think that mindfulness was meant to focus more on the happier moments in life, so it was enlightening to realise that that is not what mindfulness is really about. Like the the rays of the sun does mindfulness shine and spread equally onto all areas of life, the positive, the neutral and the negative. It …
The things you sometimes come across at the hairdresser – interesting cooking magazines (*). These salmon fish fingers quickly became one of our favourites. As usual, quick and easy – and healthy on top! Salmon Fish Fingers (for 2 servings) 2 tbsp ground flaxseed 2 tbsp fine porridge oats (I use the normal ones) 1/2 …
I already wrote a bit about Mindfulness on some previous blogs, and over the next few weeks I will go a bit deeper. Firstly, I do believe that we all can and should be more aware in our day to day life to get out of the ‘stress treadmill’ we often find ourselves in. Secondly, …
Today we have one of those days – non stop rain. But there is a special beauty in nature when the raindrops fall, don`t you agree? So don’t just put it away as a rainy day instead listen to the soothing sound of the raindrops falling follow the raindrops as they make their path down heavy leaves …
I am an Obliger, a Lark, a Sprinter, an Under-buyer, an Opener and a Novelty Lover, Prevention Focused and I strive better with Accountability and when I take Big Steps. I got a this rather interesting insight about myself from reading the book “Better than Before – Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives” by …