September | 2017

Muse the brain sensing headband: A modern approach to Meditation

The Muse headband is a modern gateway to learning to meditate and calm your mind with a bit of guidance. This headset tracks your brainwaves and provides EEG- neurofeedback.

Okay, I will admit that I was a bit skeptical when I heard about a headband that could read your brain waves and help you meditate better. I am sort of a tech geek so my curiosity got the better of me. My online search found it on sale at a big box supplier. I ordered it quickly and easily while on the go. It arrived a few days later and I was feeling pretty excited. The box touts Muse as “your personal meditation assistant”.

The set up was easy, there is an app to download onto your smart phone or tablet. It led me through the start up and explained how to wear my headband and calibrate it. The first session I was clearly distracted with my thoughts, “am I doing this right?” “should it be louder or softer?”

You receive feedback during your meditation with the rainfall getting louder or the winds picking up as your brain wanders. The rainforest quiets and the birds chirp when your brain is calm. There are points to be earned and goals to reach.

My five minute session found me only collecting a few birds and experiencing a whopping 22 recoveries! With the first trial run behind me, my second session was more of a success. I racked up the calm points and instead of having recoveries I had 22 birds this time.

The feedback is helpful and honestly speaks to the competitor in me. We all love rewards and it is gratifying to be able to see your progress over one short week. Multiple users can utilize the head band as all they need is a Muse account.

Although it is early in my meditation practice with Muse to definitively say how this will impact, my observations so far have been promising. I find myself more focused and able to find more clarity among all the white noise in my head. The “to do” list in my brain has quieted and when it does gear up too much I actually want to reach for my Muse and take 5 minutes to meditate and bring myself back.

Next week’s goal is to use it in short periods of 5 minutes over my day. I will try doing it in the morning, at lunch and prior to bed time. After that I will try only one 15 minute meditation and see what the difference is for me.

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Bullet Journal: Getting Started

It’s back to school time and for some of us that means the start of a new year. We love all of those shiny new day planners but they are never quite right. They don’t offer enough options for the things we need to keep in one place. The bullet journal offers the individualization and organization that sets the year off right. To be honest bullet journaling speaks to the inner nerd who loves lists and planning.

What is a bullet journal?

The Bullet Journal is a customizable and forgiving organization system. It can be your to-do list, sketchbook, notebook, and diary but most likely, it will be all of the above. It will teach you to do more with less.

The bullet journal is really quite a creative and easy way to manage our lives, create goals, track habits, and even prioritize self care. It isn’t a one size fits all solution, rather it allows each person to incorporate what they need in their planner. You create the type of journal that fits your needs.

What we love the most is that it is forgiving and it evolves each week as we figure out what it is we need and what we really love.

What do I need to start?

Start with a notebook. If you aren’t sure if this is for you, start with an inexpensive notebook that you can try for a month to see if this is a system for you. I chose to jump in an make a commitment with a Leuchtturm 1917 Bullet Journal. Inside you will find a key that is already started, pages that are numbered and have dot grids, index and future log pages and some instructions. Any notebook with dotted or lined grids will work.

Chapters Indigo has a bullet journal page with instructions and supply ideas. A ruler for creating your template, a good black fine marker pen and colored markers and pencils will help you get started. Extras include Washi tape, stickers and stencils to help create colorful layouts.

Bullet Journal Basics

There is a basic framework for the Bullet Journal or Bujo as some call it. The basics are:

Index
Future Log
Monthly Log
Weekly or Daily Log
Collections which are really the extras that make it even more personal, lists, trackers, goals

Index

The Index keeps track of what pages everything is on so you can find them at a glance. Keep your index clear and simple. The index grows as you add more things to your Bujo.

Future Log

The future log helps you look ahead to things coming up in your life. It is where you can list birthdays, events and appointments so you can see them at a glance. There are a lot of options for how this section might look in the article Future Log Inspiration.

Monthly Log

This is usually found at the beginning of each monthly section. This section is usually a 2 page spread and can be used to set and track short term goals. It is also one of the first places you can get creative and add personality to your journal. You can try a different layout each month.

There are lots of ideas to get you started on our Pinterest board Bullet Journals or in blog posts like 16 Bullet Journal Monthly Layouts.

Weekly Log

This format is often the style of choice. If your life is very full and your schedule changes from day to day and hour to hour, you may then wish to use a Daily Log. For most of us however, a 2 page week will work. An option that some have used is a combination approach. If there are some days that need their own page, then give it to them but you don’t have to commit to one style on a regular basis. Try 25 Satisfying Bullet Journal Layouts to Sooth Your Soul for some inspiration.

the_bulletjournal_addict / Via instagram.com

bujoriri / Via instagram.com

Collections

Collections are exciting and fun and what makes the Bullet Journal your own. This is where you can create habit trackers, gratitude journals and anything else that helps keep you on track with your goals.

We have filled our Pinterest board with lots of ideas to get you started. Spend a rainy afternoon and set up your first Bujo and enjoy all of the options and freedom it has to offer.

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