Yesterday Astrid had her regular, full six month checkup at our favorite rabbit vet down at the bottom of Mt. Rose in Reno (photos at the vet below where she waited patiently). It’s an hour’s drive each way, so it’s a big event for a bunny to go through on top of the probing they don’t like. Well, I can’t blame her, as I do everything possible to avoid the same myself and doctors in general. I’m grateful to not have reason to seek medical attention, that I never catch colds or flus, and unless absolutely necessary, will always opt for holistic ways to treat and heal things in my life.

Where rabbits are concerned, you just can’t take anything for granted, as they can suddenly have challenges out of no where that are very serious and scary in most cases, so it’s best to catch things early. Since they tend to hide things well for a while too, you really have to be diligent about presence with your bunny companion so you can spot the tiniest nuances in behavior and regularly be looking them over and catching anything odd looking or feeling that is developing.

We go to regular visits every six months and in the past when we’ve had something we’ve kept an eye on like her ear wax build up, we’ve done every three months until given the full green light.

At almost 5 years old, this September, she’s doing amazing and living her best bunny life ever. We count our blessings every day, as other than one bout of gas for about 3 hours that was connected to some deep past energy she was working on along with me once and some ear wax build up that once got her ear a little inflamed, she’s a really healthy, strong bunny. While at the vet she got a pedicure and the unloved ear flush to ensure her wax doesn’t create issues. I also picked up some extra stuff for our bunny ER stash just in case. 

Regular rabbit care routines and exams are a must and a good message to all of us though, to make sure we’re regularly taking care of ourselves from the inside out too.

Self care is much more than simply going to the doctor when there’s something challenging you, but also about doing the daily self care protocol that will help you not have to make those extra visits and ultimately, will provide you more vitality and energy overall.

I directly see the correlation between how I care for Astrid and myself and when I lack in the category of doing those extra little things, having her there reminds me.

I go above and beyond for her with making sure she has the best quality everything and that she gets all the little things that matter too, like lots of love and snuggle time, play time, encouragement, check-ins, and sticking to a well-established routine to meet her needs and beyond.

And since she is an extension of me, I know that since these enriching experiences keep her happy and health, then guess what? The same works for me if I continually practice enriching rituals, self care, and encouraging and loving check-ins with myself.

If I am tending to my needs, Astrid also thrives.

There’s no separation, since we reflect one another.

I know recently a lot of people have experienced some health challenges, have needed medical support for physical manifestations of things, and are even transitioning at this time. These things seem to go in cycles.

And at the same time, there’s also a record number of pregnancies and births taking place in surprising ways.

Life does balance itself out and so can we balance our energies when feeling depleted.

Channeling your creative spirit is another form of self care that is vital alongside the physical things like resting, getting enough good sleep, eating and exercising well, having some “you” time, getting outdoors to absorb good nature and vitamin D energies, practicing gratitude, having a healthy, loving, and encouraging dialogue with yourself, and doing little luxuriating things you really want and deserve to do.

I can’t emphasize it enough how committing to a little something everyday for yourself, can make a difference and start carving out a new life for yourself.

And if you truly feel you can’t commit to something right now, or today, then making a commitment to do it at some point during the week and sticking to that promise, will start to shift energy in your life and you’ll find your spirits lifting.

And when your spirits and heart feel uplifted, your physical vitality will shine.

Astrid wants to add her two cents here in sharing that vitality is a state of being. It’s not about the things you have, as these could just add more stress with bills or more things to manage and take care of. It’s about what you give intrinsically to yourself.

It could be little things you gift yourself or stretch to splurge because these acts then create the foundations of flowing abundance, but it can also just be the sweet, gentle, fun, nurturing and loving things you give yourself like two minutes of pep talk and encouragement, five minutes of meditation or sitting on a bench in the park, singing at the top of your lungs in the car or shower, putting on your favorite song and dancing, wearing a special outfit that makes you feel good, getting up a little earlier to make yourself a nice breakfast, using products on your body, hair, and skin that make you feel like you’ve been to the spa, or simply checking in to see how you’re feeling right here and now.

Astrid also wants to impart that checking in with those tiny nuances within yourself, just as I do for her, will help reveal things before they get bigger and more challenging than they need to be.

There’s a whole physical and energetic body communication that takes place moment to moment and you can be privy to it, rather than feel like a complete stranger to yourself.

After all, it IS YOUR body. No one will know it better than you, although like bunnies can hide things, so too do you hide from yourself.

You don’t need to internalize the suffering. You don’t need to internalize and forge ahead when there’s discomfort or pain.

Committing to self care – even if just a check-in with yourself and how you’re feeling, is powerful, revealing, and instantly creates opportunity for change.

I am usually pretty good at self care, but with life getting fuller over the years, I’ve definitely been more lax on some of my usual routines, replacing them with doing.

But I’ve made an extra effort to get back to these things and create more down time to tune in and just be and feel without doing.

Hence why we’ve stepped away from regular blogging and I’ve put a pause to projects to receive the guidance speaking through the wisdom of my body, heart, and soul vibrations.

I’ve created the time and space for extra listening that was needed and I’m happy to share that this has been extremely beneficial and clarifying.

I used to be outweighed in “me” time, with less doing.

Then there’s been more “doing” than “me” time.

But life has balance now and the two are merging more seamlessly.

It is making a difference and Astrid is my best teacher reflecting the wisdom within.