Back to Basics: Simple Steps to Reset

Carrie Woodcock
Oct 20
4 min read

Updated: Oct 21

Cooper Marsh Conservation Area - South Glengarry, Ontario

There’s something about being in nature that gently brings me back to myself. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve spent more time outdoors — walking through crisp leaves, breathing in the cool autumn air, watching the light shift in that unmistakably October way. Autumn has always been my favorite season, and this year especially, immersing myself in it has been grounding in a way I didn’t know I needed.

The stillness, the simplicity, the beauty — it’s reminded me that I don’t have to keep up with everything. That slowing down is not only okay, but essential.

When life feels like too much, sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is return to the simple things that keep you grounded.

Lately, I’ve been feeling like I’m constantly juggling too many things. Work demands, personal commitments, emotional load, daily logistics — it’s a lot. And while I’ve tried to keep all the balls in the air, the truth is… some of them have started to fall.

I’ve felt overwhelmed, exhausted, irritable, uninspired, and deeply unmotivated. It’s like I’ve been running on autopilot, just going through the motions. And the more I try to power through it, the worse it gets.

So this week, I’ve decided to hit the reset button. Not with a dramatic overhaul or a massive productivity sprint — but with something much simpler: getting back to basics.

I’ve realized that when everything starts to feel like too much, the best thing I can do for myself isn’t to do more — it’s to slow down and return to the foundational habits that support my well-being. The small, daily actions that help me feel steady, clear, and whole again.

Here’s what that looks like for me right now:

Sleep: Creating Space to Rest and Recover

Sleep is always the first thing to go when I’m overwhelmed — and ironically, it’s the thing I need the most. When I don’t get enough rest, everything else becomes harder: my focus slips, my patience wears thin, and my emotions sit right at the surface.

This week, I’m committing to honoring my need for sleep. That means setting boundaries around screen time at night, winding down earlier, and allowing myself to rest without guilt. I’m reminding myself that rest is productive. It’s not a luxury — it’s a necessity.

Nutrition: Eating to Nourish, Not Just to Fill

When I’m stressed or stretched too thin, my eating habits can get chaotic — grabbing whatever’s easy, skipping meals, relying on sugar or caffeine to get through the day. But I know that food is more than just fuel. It’s one of the most basic ways I can care for myself.

I’m focusing on slowing down and eating real, whole foods. Meals that are simple, satisfying, and grounding. Nothing fancy or restrictive — just intentional nourishment. When I eat well, I feel more stable physically and emotionally. It’s a quiet form of self-respect.

Hydration: The Simplest Reset of All

It’s such a basic thing, but staying hydrated makes a noticeable difference in my energy and clarity. And yet, it’s one of the first habits I neglect when I’m overwhelmed.

This week, I’m keeping a water bottle nearby and checking in with myself regularly: Have I had enough to drink today? It sounds so simple, but this one small act reminds me to stay present in my body. To check in. To care.

Movement: Gentle, Grounding, Intentional

I used to think of exercise as something I had to push through — another task on my list. But lately, I’ve been embracing movement as a form of release. As a way to process stress, shift my energy, and reconnect with myself.

Right now, I’m not focused on intensity or progress. I’m just giving my body what it’s asking for — whether that’s a walk, some gentle stretching, or a few minutes of intuitive movement. Just enough to help me feel back in my skin again.

Meditation: Coming Back to My Breath

When my mind is racing and everything feels like too much, meditation is how I come home to myself. Even just five minutes of stillness can create space between my thoughts and bring a sense of calm.

This week, I’m making space each day — even if it’s just for a few minutes — to sit, breathe, and be quiet. No pressure to “do it right.” Just showing up, over and over again, to remind myself that I’m allowed to slow down.

Stretching: Making Room in a Tense Body

It’s easy to overlook, but my body holds on to stress. It tenses up in my shoulders, my neck, my jaw. And when I take a few moments each day to stretch gently — no agenda, just curiosity — I feel something shift. Not just physically, but emotionally.

Stretching reminds me that I don’t have to stay tight, braced, or closed. It’s a way of telling my body: You’re safe. You can soften.

A Return, Not a Retreat

This reset isn’t about quitting or giving up. It’s about returning — to myself, to the present, to what actually matters.

Getting back to basics doesn’t solve everything, but it creates the conditions for clarity, for resilience, and eventually, for inspiration to return. It helps me feel human again — a little more rooted, a little more capable, a little more me.

And with family coming to visit this weekend, this reset feels especially timely. I want to be present — not distracted, depleted, or running on fumes — but truly there, grounded and open, ready to soak up the laughter, connection, and warmth that only loved ones can bring. These are the moments that matter most to me, and by taking this time to return to the basics, I’m creating space to fully enjoy and cherish every bit of it.

So if you’ve been feeling like you’re dropping balls, barely hanging on, or just plain worn out — maybe it’s time to pause. To strip it all back. To ask: What do I actually need today? And then give yourself permission to do just that.

Reset. Recenter. Rebuild. One small, essential habit at a time.