Every time I sit down and try to write something, I get blocked and don’t know what to say. It’s been a month since I last posted here, and it seems like it has been an eternity. So much has happened in the last 30 days, time keeps spinning on and on, and I’m just going along for the ride.

Rather than fill this space with sentences about how I’m feeling uninspired - I thought, why not try to do the exact opposite. So, in an effort to try something new around here (and to indulge my affinity for alliteration), I introduce to you - Monday Mantra.

Before someone says it, I know, "you're not supposed to share your mantra". To that I say, rules are made to be broken. If I'm being really honest, I don't like being told what to do, and I'm going to share and say what I want. However, mantras are incredibly personal - so you do whatever makes you feel good too, okay?

To start, I thought I would share one of my personal meditation mantras:

“I am exactly where I need to be.”

I hold these words close to my heart, for so many reasons. They are a constant reminder to be mindful and stay present in our lives. To live and love in the NOW, in this moment, rather than find ourselves stuck in the past, or longing for the future. This moment is all there is, and we don’t need to be anything, or anywhere else. We can get so caught up chasing our vision, our goals, that we lose sight of how amazing and magical the journey can be.

Honouring where we are in our practice, in our lives, and in our bodies right NOW is essential for our overall well-being. Remember, you are always exactly where you need to be, and in this moment you are a perfect, just as you are.

Namaste, friends.

"Time isn't precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time-past and future-the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is."

- Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now

Things have been quiet around here, haven't they. I won't apologize though. I don't like to say that I've been busy, or that I haven't had time. The truth is, I've been on a journey. Not in terms of kilometers or miles (though riding the T to South Boston from Brighton everyday certainly felt like an epic trek), but a journey inwards. A path of deep self-study, devoting all my time and energy to doing the work. Over the past month, I've spent the majority of my days at South Boston Yoga, completing their Summer Yoga Teacher Training Intensive. It was immersive, physically and emotionally exhausting, and so unbelievably amazing.

I feel like a completely different person than I was a month ago. And as I bask in the glow that is post-YTT life, I can't help but hope that this feeling sticks. It's amazing what happens when you just let go. When all those tiny muscles in your body let go of tension, of fear, of pain and anger that they have been holding onto for years. When you completely unravel, and have the opportunity to build yourself back up. You see the world in a different light, and everything burns brightly and makes sense for the first time in what seems like forever.

Maybe I sound like a crazy, new-age hippie, but I've learned that I (still) don't really care. I'm going to breathe + love + bend + flow + meditate, because it makes me feel good. And I hope that I can share those things with you in an accessible way. If you're still not into it, that's cool too! Let's just keep talking about punk rock, and travel, and my deep (seriously, deep) love for television.

I walked through the doors of South Boston Yoga on August 1, choosing love over fear, but not really sure what that meant for my life. Strong, grounded, and with an open heart, I emerged a humble warrior. Ready to share my voice, my passion, my love, my light with others. A leader, ready to hold the space, and guide my students through the practice that makes me feel whole.

While I still have so much more to learn. So much space to grow in my practice. So much more to give, and love and feel - I left those doors on Sunday afternoon a yoga teacher.

And I am so so so grateful. I can't believe I had the opportunity to complete one of my biggest goals/dreams/visions. It feels FANTASTIC. Manifesting what you want for your life IS POSSIBLE. You make your own magic, every damn day, in all sorts of ways. Each breath we take is an amazing gift. Remember that, always.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all the wonderful humans + hearts who have supported me during this special time in my life. I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

(Also, to stay up-to-date with all things Alex, follow me on Instagram, @photolexx!)

Peace + love,

Alex