This blog series is my offering to you, a chance to see how Ayurveda is weaved into my life & how you can apply these principles to your own life.

What does enough look like right now for you?

And who decides what is enough? Why do we find ourselves under so much pressure at this time of year in particular?

So many questions, I am not even sure what ‘enough’ means and perhaps that is the point. Enough can be tricky to define depending on how you feel inside. Either I have had enough = too much….stress, food, stimulation, coping, caring or I have simply had enough…just the right amount, a quiet sufficiency, recognising that no more is needed.

I am going with the latter as it has a positive feel to it and as I look back at 2025, this year was exactly that, enough. Not too much and not too little, similar to the concept of balance. In Ayurveda, ‘enough’ is closely linked to the concept of santosha (contentment), a deep sense of sufficiency. When you stop pushing and grasping space is created for balance. In a world that constantly pushes us toward doing and having more, choosing ’enough’ becomes an act of self-care.

Physically, emotionally and spiritually, there was plenty going on and the year provided lots of opportunities for growth. That said, I don’t tend to get caught up in markers and I certainly don’t like to be average!! The only thing I would put a count on is my step count - that has definitely increased with the puppy…now he is a year old we are walking him for at least an hour a day, some days there is a second outing too.

Enough

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Young Herbie has brought many blessings to 2025, He provides a daily reminder to be present. He simply lives in the moment, which in turn helps me to do the same.

Our daily walks have become a welcome part of our routine. Most days both my husband and I take him out. Some days we talk, some days not so much. We are both happy walking through the woods in silence. I love that we can enjoy some solitude while being together, a level of comfort and understanding. Deep solitude does however, require being alone. To go deep within is not so easy in the company of others but I do appreciate the days of wandering around in a comfortable silence.

Solitude is something I value, particularly as the years unfold. Solitude isn’t loneliness, for me it feels like returning, a clearing of both internal and external noise. When I am alone, I can notice what my mind is doing, what my inner voice is saying and what it is asking for. Ayurveda teaches that clarity (sattva) arises in quiet, undistracted spaces, and I’ve found that to be profoundly true. Solitude is the ultimate presence, a space where my own truth has room and freedom. Recently a friend and I spoke about our Ayurvedic journey and it is this deepening of spirit and our inner voice that we find hard to articulate to others. Practicing solitude can be as simple as having a few moments alone to sit in silence and watch your breath. This practice is especially helpful in calming vata dosha and your nervous system.

Consider what is important to you and allow this to drive your decision making process. Autumn is for creating space and preparing for winter. And for the last few years I have taken a very different approach to winter. Winter is a time for resting and nesting, to hibernate (again nature provides the guidance here). We aren’t meant to be overcommitting our time and constantly overindulging. My daughter has always dreaded the cold darker months - she is a sun and beach loving kind of girl - I have encouraged her to embrace what winter offers and to make the most of what it offers. She recently said that there was a little part of her that looked forward to it coming this year. For me, proof that a shift in perspective is a powerful thing.

I love Christmas but it comes at a time that is at odds with nature. There are so many parts of it that take us away from balance that I have started to adjust how I approach it in recent years. I even changed from ‘traditional’ red, gold and green decorations to a softer gold and bronze colour scheme, a whole lot less ‘stuff’ everywhere and more fairy lights and candles. Danish Hygge has a lot to offer here. I also think there is a societal shift, maybe only a small one at the moment, away from the excesses of Christmas consumerism, both in terms of gift giving and food consumption.

It can feel hard to describe in words how I feel on this journey, there are so many facets to it. There have been many small adjustments made (and a few bigger ones too). If pushed to describe or explain my Ayurvedic life, or what it means to live Ayurvedically I would have to go with inner peace. A peace that comes from acceptance (of circumstance, of people, of events and situations…of everything). From that place I make better choices, I feel better about myself and my environment. This shouldn’t be mistaken for happiness, there are many things happening in the world that do not bring me happiness. But living with acceptance allows me to let go in a way I couldn’t even imagine doing many years ago.

I recently asked Myraji about protecting my energy when around people. Her wise and simple response was to not think in terms of protecting my own energy but to always show up as my best self. And as I thought about this I realised that taking this approach is all I can do, it is all any of us can do. We have little to no control over most situations, we certainly cannot and should not have control over other people. Understanding and accepting this brings with it an incredible amount of inner peace. We can only do better ourselves, be the best person we can be.

So yes, I am going with inner peace. It has taken time to get to that stage but it is an amazing feeling.

My own growth and development during this past year has been interesting and everchanging. At the start of the year I was still focussed on 1:1 consultations. That felt like the right way to reach people and to guide them back to balance. But there had been a constant pull towards writing and I am still not sure why. I had found myself in the company of writers and before long it became impossible to ignore. Ayurveda & Me - this very series was born! It was a creative outlet that I didn’t know I needed but mostly it was a way to share my lived experience of Ayurveda. To share my journey and how I weave this ancient wisdom into my daily life. Ayurveda isn’t a diet plan or a series of tasks on a checklist. It is much deeper than that, a way of relating to yourself and the world with awareness.

Of course, when you first begin it is easier to pick one or two new habits or shifts, make a commitment to change. The beauty of Ayurveda is that it meets you where you are and that will be different for each of us. My teacher, Myraji reminds us often that this journey is about progress and not perfection and I think this is the best way to approach any changes you make.

I, for one, am not perfect, neither as a person or with my Ayurvedic lifestyle choices. It is a constant work in progress. Just as the impact of bad habits and choices accumulate, so do the good habits! I don’t beat myself up if I have a coffee or piece of chocolate. I largely stick to what I have learnt about nourishing choices, life happens and sometimes our choices are limited. Sometimes I just fancy a coffee….

There have been some underlying themes this year, stillness, silence and solitude have featured for me. These link nicely together and all contribute to that inner peace. Living Ayurvedically is intrinsically about alignment. Alignment with nature, with its rhythm and with yourself. In practical terms what does that look like for me?

I am awake at 6am and in bed by 10pm - often thinking about bed from about 9pm! I always chuckle at those memes about your social life requirements - brunch / lunch and absolutely nothing after 8pm :) It’s amazing how much stability a simple, grounded morning rhythm brings to the rest of my day. There is obviously some flexibility, I love live music and therefore there is some wiggle room when needed. That said one of my goals for 2026 is to find more daytime music events!!

My morning Sadhana (morning practice) is between 6am - 7am, this sets me up for the day like nothing else can. Does it get missed or cut short ? Yes, occasionally. Some mornings the puppy might need attention - I have been known to practice yoga asana or meditation in the garden in my pyjamas while he does what he needs to. After my practice I sit in quiet mode with my warm water.

My food intake is primarily based on Ayurvedic principles. I eat freshly cooked food, mostly at home. There are things that I don’t eat anymore, things I avoid and things I only allow occasionally. The goal is always wholefoods and fresh.

My life is slower and more intentional, I check in with myself during the day. I take stock of what is working for me and what is not. I do this often. Life is dynamic, that is part of the fun. What works for me today may change. Having daily practices provides your mind, body and soul with stability and routine, this in turn maintains inner peace. The key is to have balance, to have that stability and routine but remain flexible. These tools and practices are to be used in a way that fits your lifestyle ~ don’t compare yourself to others.

Things I stopped doing:

• Fitting in - I’ve not been one for fitting in but as humans we do like to feel a sense of belonging. When my daughters call me weird I always say ‘thank you’ :) This has been a slow burn but at my big old age all bets are off!

• Drinking alcohol at every event - I even ordered a warm water at a music event recently! In a relatively short space of time I no longer want to drink, I never put a huge amount of pressure on myself to give up drinking, it has just evolved. Saying no almost becomes a super power when practiced often.
  

• Questioning why other people’s perspectives were so different to my own - for so long I questioned how it was possible for others to see things (or not see things) in the same way. Accepting that everyone’s reality and experiences are different has taken time but the most liberating part is not trying to make sense of it any longer.

• Looking outside for happiness and comfort - sounds simple enough doesn’t it. We are heavily conditioned to believe that happiness comes from outside. Having more ‘stuff’, going new places, meeting more people and of course documenting it all on instagram! One more glass of wine, one more handbag, one more of everything. Or maybe the perpetual idea of waiting for some event or achievement. Our dependency on a specific outcome to drive happiness is quite frankly a crazy idea. Be happy and grateful with what you have now, right now. By choosing to not live in the future provides space to enjoy the now. For that is all we really have.

• Regular posting on social media constantly - and thinking about posting on social media constantly. Last month I shared my 9-post static grid on Instagram, a quiet sign that Inner Nourishment is alive and well. My intention is to update it seasonally. It gives me presence without pressure. This new approach has given me much needed freedom. I can share the occasional reel or story when it feels genuine, while keeping my deeper reflections and teachings inside my private Facebook group, where the energy feels softer. I do enjoy creating and sharing this beautiful ancient wisdom, but I felt drained. It felt forced, performative, as though I was following what everyone else does rather than what nourishes me. Letting go of that constant pressure has been incredibly liberating. I’m not entirely sure what my social media presence will look like next year, I do know it will be different from this year (and that feels more than okay).

With the festive season in full flow I would like to provide my slant on things. At this time of year we should be nesting and resting, not partying hard! Nature is urging us to rest, to soften, to conserve energy. This may be unpopular but over indulgence and late nights is not what we need right now.

It has taken me a couple of goes at this one as I love all things Christmas and I am not willing to give that up. Festive fun is still on the agenda but each year I am making some tweaks. My current approach includes a lot less going out, this year in particular is quiet for us in December after being busy in October and November with social outings. I have switched to muted decorations (lots of soft gold, bronze and copper rather than bright red, gold and green), a more naturally festive look with natural materials. I am going to be baking at home - I cook but rarely bake. Less gift giving - we have done all the OTT stuff when our girls were young, as adults this makes cutting back on gifting a little easier - although I am still struggling with this one! And lastly, way less alcohol, our tradition of champagne on Christmas morning may well be my only concession to alcohol this year.

I am also making a greater effort with general food consumption in the coming weeks. My choices tend to slide a little when entertaining but this year I am putting more emphasis on what I want to eat rather than catering for my guests. Here are some ideas that I am planning on serving up over the Christmas period:

• Squash & chickpeas & feta - served on top of a grain. Add some flatbreads & houmous (and some slow cooked lamb for guests)

• Spiced parsnips & crispy kale served on a little bit of yoghurt with a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds (inspired / stolen from one of Dishooms festive offerings!)

  
  

• Pumpkin, spinach & feta muffins

  
  

• Sweet potato rounds with goats cheese & pesto

  
  

• Dates stuffed with mascarpone & pecans

  
  

• Pear and ginger mocktail

  
  

These kinds of dishes are grounding, warm and easy to digest and yet still delicious. I think my replica of the Dishoom dish turned out well. I added some samphire and a chapatti, a perfectly balanced meal!

We ask a lot of ourselves over this period when really your body wants to slow down, and soften. Choosing rest isn’t indulgent, it is wisdom. Choose nourishment and remember what ‘enough’ feels like to you and you only.

Living Ayurvedically has taught me that balance doesn’t come from doing more but from aligning more deeply with who I am. By allowing yourself enough space, stillness and nourishment you can reconnect with your own inner peace. It is already there….ready to reconnect!

And if you need a little support, nourishment or community as winter unfolds, you know where to find me. If you would like a little gentle support this season, I have created a simple nourishing festive guide . If you missed it in my Facebook group, you are welcome to email me for a free copy at claire@innernourishment.co.uk.

I am signing off from social media posting for a couple of weeks, it has been a tough journey for me being online. Less than 18 months ago I didn't have a social media account so it still feels a little odd sometimes. I won't lie, I find it challenging. That said I will find a way that works for me, there may be some trial and error but it is all a learning curve. So, I encourage you to do the same, give yourself permission to take a break from being online. See what happens…nothing breaks and you don’t miss anything!

I am excited about what next year will bring, there are some exciting projects that I am working on. Some are personal and some are for sharing with you all. And as you step into a new year, ask yourself ‘What would enough feel like for me in 2026?’

Dishoom

Mine

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