The Power of Being Less Reactive

9 tips on how to be less reactive and the healthiness that comes along with it

THE WEEKLY EDIT:
Adding to water: Trace Mineral Drops
I had a massage for the first time post-partum last week and the masseuse thought my muscles felt dehydrated. I told her that's almost impossible given my 128 oz water intake so she suggested adding these trace mineral drops to my water to help electrolyte absorption. Apparently we often lose minerals in filtered water so adding a mix of magnesium, chloride, sodium, potassium etc. can help boost hydration. I'm trying it - will keep you posted!

Taking: Vitamin C
Anyone else have an endless loop of sickness in their house? So rough! I'm taking vitamin c everyday - I like both Pique or Lypo–Spheric.

Wearing: Postpartum capsule
My postpartum/breastfeeding capsule wardrobe is pretty much complete with these last two additions. One, a La Ligne button down (you can use code GERI10 for 10% off their site, btw!) and two, the Jenni Kayne Flynn two sizes up - this is my favorite layering cashmere piece that's also great over the shoulders (you can use code GERI15 for 15% off Jenni Kayne anytime, too!)

Reading: Some books I like to revisit every year

1. Essentialism

   This book changed my life the first time I read it - I've never taken more notes or applied more tools to my own life. Obviously things slip so I like to read this at the start of each year. I'm always interested to see how much growth I've made in certain areas of my life and which new lessons I learn and apply based on my current season.

2. The Daily Stoic

   The best part about this book is that you can open it on any given day and receive a lesson on stoicism - it's another one that impacts me differently each year that I use it. In general, stoicism mimics a less reactive life, so if you're reading today's Substack topic and want more out of it, this would be a great book to pick up!

3. The Almanac of Naval Ravikant

   Naval is a highly successful entrepreneur, philosopher, and investor. Born with next to nothing, he used the principles shared in this book to live a uniquely happy life, based on his strengths. This is one of those books I like to read a few chapters of at a time. Great business and money lessons, but also filled with sensible ways to be successful.

4. The Four Agreements

   I suggest this 'practical guide to personal freedom' to everyone. It re-teaches me how to communicate, manifest, overcome challenges, etc each time I read it.

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ALRIGHT, LET’S GET INTO IT:
The Power of Being Less Reactive

One of the best Lessons From My 30s was my personal evolution of reactiveness, more specifically becoming less reactive. Don't get me wrong, it was something I truly had, and still have to, consciously work on and settle into. But once I opened the aperture on reactiveness, I began to understand how to use being less reactive to my advantage. This, of course, took years of self-assessment. I needed to get clear on my triggers, alleviate the impulsive need to argue back for the justice of being right, gain better self-awareness around emotional responses, and begin to not only understand but to discern, that oftentimes people are looking to elicit a reaction (particularly children). 

Little shift by little shift, I experienced the healthiness that comes with being less reactive. So, I kept pushing it further. The more I did it, the better I felt. This little but big practice helped me become much more intentional with my words and actions. And so, I continued, applying the thinking to other relationships. From shopping to tech to parenthood to the workplace and to social situations or encounters with strangers, here are ways I support myself by being less reactive: