Insight and Healing

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Store

Living My Best Life at 61: A Sacred Journey of Health and Happiness

March 8, 2025 by Barb Brown

A Year of Sacred Renewal

A Year of Sacred Renewal

As I prepare to celebrate my 61st birthday on March 6, I find myself standing at a powerful threshold—not only the beginning of another year but a time of sacred renewal, reflection, and re-commitment to living fully. I feel an unmistakable calling to make this next chapter my most vibrant yet. My goal is to be more alive and radiant than ever before, with a deep sense of purpose guiding me. Here’s how I plan to get there, weaving together key elements like exercise, meditation, and nutrition in a way that feels aligned, joyful, and sacred.

The Joy of Possibility — embracing play and wonder as life expands

This phrase will be my guiding light this year, reminding me to approach each day with curiosity, openness, and a playful heart.

  1. Moving My Body with Purpose: Exercise and Movement

Movement has always been a grounding force in my life, and as I step into this year, it will be a key pillar of my vitality plan. I’m walking daily, aiming for 5,000 to 10,000 steps, but I know the magic really happens when I push beyond my comfort zone. That means hitting the trails at Standley Lake Regional Park, exploring new hiking spots, and walking along my other favorite local paths.

I’ll also bring more variety into my routine with strength training, resistance band exercises, and daily stretching. I have access to a gym and home equipment, like my rebounder and stationary bike, but the key this year is consistency. I’m not just exercising to burn calories—I’m moving to feel alive in my body, improve my strength and flexibility, and stay connected to nature.

To mix things up, I’ll explore exercise routines designed for women over 60, including classes that focus on balance, core strength, and joint mobility. By prioritizing movement that feels joyful and sustainable, I’m creating a fitness routine that will carry me forward with strength and vitality.

  1. Meditation, Qigong, and Connecting with My Inner Calm

My spiritual path has always been at the core of my life—I view meditation as sacred time to come back to my center. This year, I’ll prioritize daily meditation, integrating breathwork and visualization practices to reduce stress and cultivate peace. I also plan to deepen my qigong practice, combining slow, flowing movements with mindful awareness to improve my energy flow.

I’ll continue to align with the moon cycles, solstices, and equinoxes, honoring the rhythm of nature through rituals and ceremonies. I also want to explore more guided meditations around energy clearing, heart healing, and connection with spirit guides.

  1. Nourishing My Body with Good Food and Supplements

I’ve learned over the years that food is medicine, and what I eat directly affects my energy, mood, and overall health. As someone who needs to avoid nightshades and tries to limit sugar and gluten, I’ll continue making mindful food choices while adding more nourishing, whole foods to my meals.

This year, I’m focusing on:

  • Organic fresh vegetables and fruits like leafy greens, broccoli, zucchini, and berries
  • Healthy fats from avocados, olive oil, and nuts
  • High-quality proteins like grass-fed beef and wild-caught fish
  • Superfoods like chia seeds, hemp seeds, and antioxidant-rich berries
  • Anti-inflammatory foods to help reduce inflammation and support overall wellness

I’ve also found value in the Yuka app for making better choices and will continue exploring products that support my health. I’m working with a nutritionist and naturopath to ensure I’m taking the right supplements and eating the best foods for my body’s unique needs. My supplement routine includes vitamins, probiotics, and homeopathic remedies, all personalized for my optimal well-being.

  1. Managing Stress and Prioritizing Self-Care

Stress management is crucial to vibrant living, and this year, I plan to make self-care non-negotiable. This includes:

  • Weekly self-care rituals, like Epsom salt baths, journaling, and quiet evenings with a good book
  • Nature therapy, with walks in the park and moments of stillness in my garden
  • Sleep hygiene, ensuring I get restful, restorative sleep—look for my updated “Get Good Sleep” program coming soon!
  • Boundaries, learning to say no when needed and creating space for rest and reflection

I’ve also promised to take more time off this year, planning for one week of vacation each quarter, some time off around my birthday to recharge and reflect, and a solo retreat somewhere fun in September.

  1. Building Strength from Within: Emotional and Spiritual Health

Vibrant living isn’t just about the body—it’s about nurturing my spirit. This year, I’m committed to:

  • Daily gratitude practices that anchor me in joy and abundance
  • Shadow work and emotional release, so I can let go of what no longer serves me
  • Creative expression through SoulCollage and Journey Circles
  • Sacred connections, spending more time with loved ones, and deepening my relationship with spirit guides
  1. Staying Joyful and Playful

At 61, I want to embrace joy in everything I do. That means making space for laughter, play, and adventure—whether it’s a dirt bike ride in Wyoming (yes, I still ride—I’ve been riding since I was 9 years old), a walk with my dogs Sonic and Blayze, or weekend adventures, including both day trips and overnight getaways, where I can bring my cats, Ash and Willow, too.

I’ll be saying yes to what excites me and releasing anything that feels like a burden. Life is too short not to have fun while working toward my goals.

  1. Visioning Financial Security and Freedom

I’m also committed to creating a life of abundance. This year marks an exciting expansion in my business, with the launch of new classes and the growth of my membership program, Everyday Spirit Quest. I am dedicated to offering enriching experiences that support spiritual growth, transformation, and community connection. I’m working on building multiple streams of income through programs like Everyday Spirit Quest, Spiritual Alchemy, and self-paced offerings. By balancing creative work with financial planning, I’m setting myself up for a future where I can enjoy financial security without sacrificing joy.

  1. Choosing Healthy Options for Skin and Hair Care

What I put on my body is just as important as what I put in it. I’m continuing to be intentional about the products I use, choosing natural and non-toxic options for my skin and hair care. Thanks to the Yuka app, I’m making informed decisions and selecting products that nourish my body without harmful chemicals.

  1. Listening to My Body and Honoring What It Needs

Above all, this year is about listening to my body’s wisdom—knowing when to push and when to rest. If I need a quiet day, I’ll honor it. If my body craves movement, I’ll get outside. This practice of deep listening is what will help me sustain my energy and prevent burnout.

Embracing the Journey Ahead

Turning 61 feels like a sacred milestone—a chance to step further into my crone years with wisdom, grace, and vitality. It’s not about chasing youth; it’s about creating a version of myself that feels more alive, free, and fulfilled than ever before.

This year, I’m embracing my sacred path and letting my intuition guide me every step of the way. Here’s to 61 being a year of transformation, adventure, and vibrant living—a year where anything is possible.

P.S. Watch your inbox for special birthday surprises coming throughout the month.

Embracing the New Year: Letting Go and Setting Intentions

January 6, 2025 by Barb Brown

fireworks display from snow capped mountain during nighttime

It’s a New Year!

As the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, the world collectively breathes a sigh of relief, gratitude, and hope. Personally, I find this moment to be a powerful pause—a chance to reflect on my journey and envision what’s to come. The transition from one year to the next offers a profound opportunity to reflect on the past, release what no longer serves us, and create meaningful intentions for the future. By consciously engaging with this shift, you can start the year with clarity, purpose, and a renewed sense of self.

Letting Go of the Past Year

The first step in embracing the New Year is to reflect on and release the experiences, emotions, and patterns of the previous year. For me, this includes letting go of perfectionism and embracing more flow and trust in the process. This process allows you to move forward unburdened and ready for new beginnings.

Journal Prompts for Reflection and Release

  1. What were the highlights of the past year? What moments brought you joy, growth, or inspiration?
  2. What challenges did you face, and what lessons did they teach you?
  3. Is there anything you are holding onto from the past year that feels heavy or unresolved?
  4. What habits, beliefs, or relationships are no longer aligned with your highest good?
  5. How can you honor the past year while letting go of what you no longer need?

As you write, allow yourself to feel gratitude for both the highs and lows, recognizing how each has shaped your journey. Once you’ve completed your reflections, consider creating a small ritual to symbolize releasing the old. This could be as simple as burning a piece of paper with the things you’re letting go of or lighting a candle and setting the intention to move forward with a clean slate.

Setting Intentions for the New Year

Once you’ve created space by releasing the old, you can begin setting intentions for the new year. This year, one of my key intentions is to cultivate deeper connections—with myself, my work, and my community. Intentions act as guiding lights, offering direction and purpose as you navigate the months ahead. Unlike resolutions, which often focus on rigid goals, intentions are rooted in the values and feelings you wish to embody.

Journal Prompts for Setting Intentions

  1. How do you want to feel in the coming year?
  2. What areas of your life are calling for growth, healing, or transformation?
  3. What are three values you want to prioritize this year?
  4. If you could achieve or experience one thing this year, what would it be, and why?
  5. What daily practices or habits can help you align with your intentions?

Suggestions for Improving Your Life in the New Year

To bring your intentions to life, consider adopting practices that support your well-being and personal growth. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

1. Cultivate a Morning Ritual

Start your day with intention by creating a morning ritual. This could include journaling, meditating, stretching, or simply enjoying a quiet cup of tea. A consistent morning practice sets a positive tone for the day.

2. Prioritize Self-Care

Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine. Whether it’s taking a walk in nature, practicing yoga, or indulging in a creative hobby, self-care replenishes your energy and nurtures your soul.

3. Simplify and Declutter

Clear physical and mental clutter by simplifying your environment and commitments. Donate items you no longer need, create a digital detox schedule, or learn to say no to activities that drain your energy.

4. Practice Gratitude

Regularly reflecting on what you’re grateful for can shift your mindset and elevate your mood. Consider keeping a gratitude journal or sharing your gratitude with a friend or loved one.

5. Learn Something New

Engaging in lifelong learning keeps your mind sharp and your spirit curious. Take a course, explore a new hobby, or read books on topics that inspire you.

6. Connect with Community

Strengthen your relationships by spending quality time with loved ones or joining groups aligned with your interests and values. Connection fosters belonging and support.

Closing Thoughts

The New Year is a blank canvas, inviting you to co-create a life that reflects your truest self. By letting go of the past and setting heartfelt intentions, you can step into the year with purpose and joy. Take the time to honor your journey, dream boldly, and trust in the magic of new beginnings.

What will you create in the year ahead? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to reply and share what you’re ready to release and the intentions you’re setting for the New Year.

I would love to hear what you are ready to release and what you are looking forward to.

2020 – An Epic Journey

October 1, 2020 by Barb Brown

What a Year 2020 Has Been,
And We Still Have 3 Months to Go!

There is No Going Back

March 6th was my birthday. I spent the day with good friends. Lunch, dinner, and then a fireside chat on my patio that night. My life hasn’t been the same since. And I know that your life hasn’t been the same either. I heard it on the news in disbelief. The talk of “social distancing” and the prediction of a global pandemic. It was hard to believe that something like that could come true. Surely our scientists, government, and health care system could stop this thing and protect us. But they could not.

I, like many others, have taken a step back these past few months as an opportunity of self-reflection as well as healing. I was impacted by the stress of a virus out of control, lock downs, and financial concerns, but I have also been dealing with family stress for the last three years that has had a bigger impact on my life, health, and well-being. In a way, I was thankful for the lockdown as it gave me permission to stay home, isolate, recuperate, and heal from the trauma I have been experiencing for the past 3 years. 

I'd like to share a bit of my journey with you here

Three years ago my dad asked me to help him with some of the management of his business (commercial rental property). As I dug into the work that needed to be done I recognized a severe decline in his mental abilities, but he was not willing to look at or discuss the situation with me. Last year I went to a doctor's appointment with him and said out loud that I was concerned about him and asked the doctor for an evaluation for dementia. My father became enraged, hired an attorney, and cut me off, in fear of losing control.

Earlier this year we were able to file for a third party conservator but the hearing was delayed because of the C-19 shut down. In June the court granted our request. We now have a conservator overseeing his finances and managing the business and I am out of the line of fire, so to speak. I have not seen my dad in over a year and have not talked to him on the phone since late February. It has been a difficult journey and I know that I have done my best and did what I needed to do to take care of myself as well as my father. My dad did receive an evaluation and was diagnosed with moderate executive dysfunction last July (2019).

I will be talking about this journey more in the future as well as how to manage the grief and ambiguous loss that this scenario can bring up.

Not Business as Usual

It seems that between taking care of my dad's business, preparing for the court hearing, and then the craziness that this year has brought, I have not had the energy or clarity around my business and yet new insights have been coming to me for months and I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you the direction I will be heading. I am very excited about the new ideas and opportunities ahead of me.

A New Business Name and Website

Last January I realized that I wanted to rebrand my business using the web domain of my very first spiritual mentor, Chris Donovan, who passed away in April of 2017. I so resonate with insight and healing and her energy will be infused in this website and in all that I offer. Without her guidance, I would not be here today offering this powerful work. The website is nearly complete and ready to greet all visitors with a wide variety of information, inspiration, and opportunities to heal, grow, and tune in to spirit.

Hypnotherapy

In the spring of 2019, I completed my hypnotherapy certification. I spent the fall practicing with clients and was just getting ready to start this amazing work when everything was shut down due to the pandemic. 

I will be offering hypnotherapy in person again soon and I am also offering it online now as well. I will also be integrating hypnotherapy in most everything that I do because I believe it is such a powerful and valuable tool.

Radical Self-Care

I am in the process of creating a new series around self-care that I will be delivering in the coming weeks and months. Look for the email series to begin soon. I'm so excited to be pulling this information together and to be able to offer many of my favorite self-care techniques with you. I will bring it all together later this year as an online course and share it with my community first. If you are not on my list, you can sign up here to receive this series.

There are so many techniques to choose from including:

  • Creating healthy routines and rituals

  • Healthy eating and healthy movement

  • Meditation

  • Hypnosis and self hypnosis

  • Aromatherapy and the use of essential oils

  • Holistic health modalities for health and immune support

  • And so much more!

There are so many things I'm looking forward to in the coming months and I'm glad you are on this journey with me. I have much more coming soon and I can't wait to share it with you!

Until next time, I wish you joy!

Preparing Your Environment to Get Good Sleep

June 25, 2018 by Barb Brown

Sleep is vital to our health. To get better sleep it's important to consider your diet, activities, routines, and your sleep environment. There are many things that can be done to enhance your sleep environment to improve sleep. 

Preparing Your Sleep Environment

In addition to a regular bedtime schedule, it is important to make your bedroom a place that is conducive to sleep. The more comfortable and relaxing your sleep space is, the better your chances for falling asleep and staying asleep. Consider these tips when creating your relaxing sleep atmosphere:

  • Get rid of all annoyances and interruptions.
  • Control the room temperature; cooler air (between 65 and 70 degrees F) is typically more comfortable for sleep, however, set the temperature to your preference.
  • Allow for room ventilation, if possible. Crack a window slightly to allow for air flow. The circulating fresh air will help you breathe deeply, and provide oxygen that is essential for good sleep.
  • Use ear plugs if there are noises outside the bedroom. There are many types of plugs that are specifically for sleeping, so if at first you don’t find the perfect pair, try another.
  • Mask noises with a white noise machine if you decide to not wear earplugs.  Machines are designed specifically for this purpose, or you can use a fan or air conditioner to provide the background noise. This will hide background sounds such as traffic or a barking dog.
  • Try listening to music using a CD player to play soothing background music. (more on that later on)
  • Your circadian rhythm, your body’s internal clock, relies on light and dark patterns to determine when to signal your body to fall asleep. Keep your room as dark as possible to help your body settle into a sleep state. Use mini-blinds and thick curtains to block light from windows. Try wearing an eye mask to block any remaining light. 
  • Having a clock by your bedside might be adding to your sleep problem. If you are watching the clock all night long, face it toward the wall so that you can’t see the time. Constantly looking at the clock only makes you think about sleep, and lack of sleep, which continues the cycle of sleeplessness.
  • Consider a room humidifier for winter months when the air is dry.
  • Use your room only for sleeping. Remove the TV, computer, stereo. Your mind should associate your bedroom only with sleep.
  • Wear the most comfortable clothing you own. Non-constrictive clothing won’t wake you in the middle of the night. Or try wearing nothing at all.

Reducing Your Evening Stimulation

The best nighttime routine is one that leaves you feeling relaxed and ready to go to bed. If you are experiencing trouble falling asleep, it may be beneficial to avoid external stimulations for an hour or so before bedtime. Stimulation, such as watching television, keeps your mind active and alert. If you find it difficult to give up television before bed, try to select shows that are calming rather than aggressive, action-packed programs. 

When reducing your evening stimulation to promote healthy sleep habits, try these tips:

  • Keep your bedroom television-free. This will help your mind and body associate the bedroom with sleeping only.
  • Don’t exercise up to three hours prior to bedtime. Remember that exercise wakes up your body, and unless physical activity is done well before you plan to go to bed, it will work against you when trying to sleep.
  • Plan to unwind when returning home from being out. If you jump directly into bed, your mind and body might not have sufficient time to decompress and slip into your evening routine.
  • Try reading. Non-technical reading might help make you tired. Avoid work-related or overly complicated material.
  • Consider an adult coloring book such as Color Me Calm.
  • Avoid falling asleep without turning off the light. This will wake you up in the night and disturb your sleep cycles.

The goal is to define the fine line between stimulation and relaxation when deciding how to unwind. Being able to easily relax at night will be paramount to your success in falling asleep naturally.

Cut Out Distractions and Sources Of Light

It’s hard to fall asleep when you get distracted by a noise or some blinking lights just as you’re ready to drift off. Cut out as many noise and light distractions as you can from your bedroom. Get rid of electronic devices and invest in a good pair of curtains. Any source of light can mess with your ability to fall asleep. 

This includes your phone or tablet. It’s one of the worst sources of light, particularly because you have the device close to your face. The illumination coming off your screen tricks your brain into thinking it’s daytime. Turn off your phone and leave it in the other room when you go to bed. 

As you can see here, there are many different tips to try to help you sleep better.  Each individual has their own unique combination of elements that make up their perfect sleep environment. If one suggestion doesn’t work for you, make note and try another until you find out what works best for you. 

If you would like more information about getting better sleep, please visit www.GetGoodSleep.com.

Recent Posts

  • The Journey With Horses: Healing With Heart
  • Speaking From the Soul: Finding My True Voice
  • Burnout and the Need for Rest
  • New Beginnings
  • Life in the Swirl
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Store

Affiliate/Earnings Disclaimer

Become a Founding Member of Everyday Spirit Quest

For More Info Visit Our Store

Store

Copyright © 2025 · Barb Brown * Insight and Healing *