The Flourish Daily Rhythm uses Spiral Calibration (Greeves & Grove Mode) to create a gentle framework for those experiencing neurodivergent or hyper-creative states. Rather than rigid schedules, it focuses on energy-based rhythm regulation.
This approach acknowledges that neurodivergent minds often work in spirals rather than straight lines, allowing for a more natural flow to daily activities.
Who Benefits?
This rhythm framework is especially helpful for those experiencing:
ADHD patterns
Spiral Chaos states
Recursive cognition
Autistic sensory processing
Creative hyperfocus phases
The Philosophy of Gentle Structure
ð§Ž Presence Over Perfection
The Flourish Daily Rhythm emphasises being present with each moment rather than striving for perfect execution. Small actions done mindfully matter more than completed checklists.
âïļ Coherence Over Completion
Rather than pushing to finish tasks, focus on creating coherence in your day â allowing activities to flow naturally from one to another in a way that feels right for your energy levels.
ðą Gentle Unfolding
Allow your day to unfold with gentleness. The Spiral approach recognises that growth and progress aren't linear but follow natural curves and cycles, just like in nature.
The Morning Mirror Ritual
One Breath ęĐ
Begin with a single, mindful breath. This doesn't need to be elaborate meditation â just one moment of conscious breathing to connect with yourself at the start of your day.
One Glyph âïļ
A glyph can be any meaningful symbol, image, or even word that resonates with you today. It might be something you visualise, draw, or simply bring to mind as an anchor for the day ahead.
One Truth ð§Ž
Acknowledge one truth about yourself or the day. This could be as simple as "I need gentleness today" or "My energy feels scattered but valid." Honesty without judgement is key.
Daily Inhale: Setting Your Intention
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Morning Connection ð
The Morning Mirror ritual serves as your "Daily Inhale" â a moment to connect with yourself before engaging with the world's demands. Like taking a deep breath before diving in.
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Mirror Moment âïļ
Using an actual mirror is helpful but not required. The metaphorical mirror is about honest self-reflection without judgement â seeing yourself clearly in this moment.
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Spiral Turning ð§Ž
The phrase "This is the day the Spiral turns" acknowledges that each day is a new opportunity for growth and gentle movement forward in your personal spiral of development.
Variations on the Morning Mirror
Basic Practice ð
Simply stand before a mirror (or sit quietly), take one conscious breath, visualise or think of one meaningful symbol, and acknowledge one truth about yourself today. Say or think: "This is the day the Spiral turns."
Expanded Practice ð§ð―ââïļ
Add gentle face-touching or self-massage. Place hands on your face, feel your own presence, and close your eyes briefly. Then open and make eye contact with yourself, acknowledging your own humanity with compassion.
Journal Practice ð
Keep a small notebook near your mirror to jot down your daily glyph and truth. Over time, this becomes a beautiful record of your spiral journey, showing patterns and growth without judgement.
Introduction to Grove Time
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Connection to Environment
Grove Time is dedicated to reconnecting with your physical space â your home, garden, or any environment where you spend time. It's about tending to these spaces with gentle awareness.
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Gentle Tending
Unlike traditional cleaning or organising, Grove Time isn't about completing tasks. It's about spiraling your attention gently through your space, addressing what calls to you without pressure.
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Flexible Timing
Ideally, dedicate up to 1 hour per day, but this can be broken into smaller sessions (like 2 Ã 30 minutes). Even 10 minutes of mindful attention to your space counts as Grove Time.
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Changing Energy
Grove Time activities often focus on changing the energy or "breath" of a space â opening windows, lighting candles, or simply bringing fresh attention to neglected corners.
Grove Time Activities: Welcoming Fresh Energy
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ðŠ Open Windows
Let literal breath into your rooms. Feel the air change as you open windows or doors, even for just five minutes. Notice the sounds and smells that enter, creating a moment of connection between inside and outside.
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ðĻ Shift the Scent
Light a candle, use an essential oil diffuser, or simply spritz a room spray to change the frequency of a space. Notice how quickly our sense of smell can transform our experience of a room.
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ðą Tend to Plants
Water a houseplant, prune a dead leaf, or simply dust plant leaves gently. Plants respond to attention and care, creating a mutual exchange of energy between you and living things.
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ð§đ Mindful Sweeping
Sweep a small area with full attention, noticing the satisfaction of gathering dust and debris. The rhythmic movement can be meditative and grounding, connecting you to your space.
Grove Time: The Spiral Approach to One Area
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ðïļ Choose One Area
Select a single area that calls for attention â perhaps a desk corner, bathroom sink, or refrigerator shelf. The key is choosing a manageable space that feels accessible today.
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ð Spiral Your Attention
Rather than tackling the entire area at once, allow your attention to spiral naturally through it. You might start with one object that catches your eye, then move to what naturally feels next.
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ð Touch With Intention
Pick up objects one by one, deciding mindfully: Does this stay? Move elsewhere? Need cleaning? The physical touch creates connection and helps make intuitive decisions.
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ð Acknowledge Progress
When your energy or time naturally concludes, acknowledge what you've tended to without focusing on what remains. Every spiral of attention matters, regardless of visible "completion."
Mindful Dishwashing: A Grove Time Practise
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ð§ Presence with water
Feel the temperature, pressure, and movement
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âĻ Sensory awareness
Notice scents, textures, and sounds
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ðĩ Single item focus
Wash one thing with complete attention
The practise of washing a single cup (or any dish) with love exemplifies the Grove Time philosophy. Rather than rushing through a sink full of dishes, focus entirely on one item. Feel the water temperature, notice the soap's scent, observe how light plays on wet surfaces. This micromoment of attention transforms a routine chore into a grounding, meditative practise that connects you to your environment.
The Power of Small Adjustments in Grove Time
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ð§ Notice what feels "off"
Use intuition to identify what needs attention
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â Make one small change
Adjust, straighten, or relocate with intention
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ð Feel the difference
Acknowledge the shift in energy or harmony
Grove Time isn't always about cleaning or organising. Sometimes the most impactful practice is making small adjustments that bring harmony to your space. Straightening a crooked picture, moving a plant to better light, or simply clearing one small surface can significantly shift how a space feels. These microadjustments require minimal energy but can create a noticeable sense of order and peace in your environment.
Introduction to Greeves Time
Historical Context
The term "Greeves" derives from "greaves" â the armour that protected the lower body in medieval times. In the Flourish Daily Rhythm, this concept is reimagined as gentle rituals that protect and care for your physical body.
Just as armour created a boundary between the knight and the world, Greeves Time creates a protective ritual around bodily care that helps neurodivergent individuals feel more grounded and prepared.
Modern Application
Greeves Time focuses on all aspects of body integration and care:
Personal hygiene practices
Clothing selection and care
Physical comfort adjustments
Sensory regulation through touch
Attention to often-neglected body parts
Unlike typical "get ready" routines, Greeves Time emphasises presence with your body rather than preparing for others' gaze.
Greeves Time: Duration and Flexibility
60
Minutes ideal time
The recommended duration for a full Greeves Time practise
30
Minutes mini-sessions
Can be split into two sessions throughout the day
10
Minutes minimum
Even a brief session provides benefits for grounding
Greeves Time is designed to be flexible to accommodate varying energy levels and time constraints. While a full hour provides comprehensive body integration, even ten minutes of mindful body care can significantly impact how connected you feel to yourself throughout the day. The key is consistency and presence, not duration.
Greeves Time Core Activities
ðŋ Bathing Rituals
Showering, bathing, or even a simple face wash done with presence and attention. Notice water temperature, the feeling of cleansing, and the sensation of being renewed.
ð Clothing Care
Selecting garments based on comfort and current sensory needs, folding or hanging clothes, doing small amounts of laundry with attention, or mending beloved items.
â Extremity Attention
Caring specifically for hands and feet â often the most neglected body parts. This might include washing, moisturising, nail care, gentle massage, or simply acknowledging these hardworking body parts.
ðŠĨ Hair and Face Care
Brushing hair mindfully, applying face products with gentle presence, or simply touching your face with awareness. These intimate acts reconnect you with your physical self.
Hair Brushing as Invocation
Gather Your Tools
Choose a brush or comb that feels good in your hand and against your scalp. Consider this tool an extension of your care for yourself rather than just a functional item.
Find Your Rhythm
Begin brushing slowly, noticing the sensation on your scalp and the weight of your hair. Allow your brushing to find a natural, meditative rhythm that feels calming rather than rushed.
Set an Intention
As you brush, consider setting a simple intention for the day or acknowledging something you appreciate about yourself. This transforms the act from routine grooming to a meaningful ritual of self-connection.
Comfort Over Performance in Clothing
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âĨ Sensory Assessment
Before choosing clothes, check in with your body. How does your skin feel today? What textures would support your sensory needs right now? What weather or temperature considerations matter?
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ð Choose for Yourself
Select clothing primarily for how it makes YOU feel, not how others might perceive it. This might mean soft fabrics on sensitive days, layers for temperature regulation, or supportive undergarments for physical comfort.
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âïļ Balance Needs
When external requirements exist (work dress codes, etc.), find creative ways to meet these while still honouring sensory needs â perhaps through specific fabrics, adaptive undergarments, or comfort accessories.
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â Periodic Reassessment
Throughout the day, notice how your clothing choices are affecting your comfort and ability to focus. Give yourself permission to make adjustments when possible â changing socks, loosening restrictive items, or adding/removing layers.
Greeves Time: Sorting as Meditation
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ðïļ Observe
Notice items needing organization without judgment
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â Touch
Feel textures and make physical connection
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ð Arrange
Group items by meaningful association
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ð Appreciate
Acknowledge the completion of one small cycle
Sorting items like socks, accessories, or other personal belongings can become a deeply meditative practice during Greeves Time. Whether organizing by colour, memory association, or practical categories, the act of bringing order to small collections creates both external order and internal calm. The methodical nature of sorting can be especially soothing for neurodivergent minds that thrive on pattern recognition.
Refreshing Linens: Creating Comfort Anchors
Pillow Renewal
Changing pillowcases even when you don't have energy for the entire bed creates an immediate comfort upgrade. Consider keeping a small stack of clean pillowcases accessible for quick refreshes.
Bedding Rotation
If full sheet changes feel overwhelming, try the "top-to-bottom" method: move the top sheet to the bottom position, add a fresh top sheet, and reuse the duvet cover. This provides freshness with less effort.
Sensory Consideration
Select linens based on current sensory needs â perhaps crisp cotton when you need stimulation, soft flannel for comfort, or cooling fabrics during temperature sensitivity. Your bedding can be a powerful sensory tool.
Hand and Foot Care in Greeves Time
ð§Ž Gentle Cleansing
Washing hands and feet with mindful attention to temperature and sensation, noticing how these extremities connect you to the world through touch. Consider a dedicated foot basin for a more ritual experience.
âïļ Moisturising Ritual
Applying lotion or oil to hands and feet with slow, intentional movements. This simple act acknowledges the hard work these body parts do and provides both physical and emotional nourishment.
ð§Ž Comforting Coverage
Selecting socks, slippers, or gloves based on current sensory and temperature needs. These items create gentle boundaries between sensitive extremities and the environment.
âïļ Self-Massage
Taking a few moments to massage hands or feet, recognising tension patterns and providing relief. Even thirty seconds of attention can release significant physical holding.
Understanding the Earth Loop Concept
ð The Foundational Circuit
The Earth Loop is the fundamental grounding practice in the Flourish Daily Rhythm. It consists of the combination of Grove Time (caring for your environment) and Greeves Time (caring for your body).
Together, these practices form a complete circuit of care that connects your physical self with your physical surroundings â creating a stable foundation for all other activities.
âģ The Natural Sequence
The recommended sequence begins with Grove Time (tending to your space) before moving to Greeves Time (tending to your body). This order creates a natural flow:
First create a more harmonious environment
Then prepare your body to exist within it
The result is a stronger sense of being properly "nested" in your space
Calibration: The Heart of Earth Loop
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Balance
The Earth Loop creates equilibrium between inner and outer attention, bringing your awareness to both your body and your surroundings in a balanced way.
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Grounding
These practices literally and figuratively ground you â connecting you to physical reality through tangible interactions with spaces and your own physicality.
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Reset
The Earth Loop serves as a gentle reset for neurodivergent systems that may become overwhelmed or disconnected due to sensory processing differences.
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Spiral Path
Rather than linear progress, the Earth Loop embraces the spiral nature of growth â returning to similar practices daily but with deepening awareness each time.
Minimum Effective Dose: 10-Minute Earth Loop
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âąïļ 5 Minutes Grove
Open one window, straighten one surface, or tend to one plant with full attention
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ð§ 3 Minutes Refresh
Wash hands and face with mindfulness, noticing temperature and sensation
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ð 2 Minutes Comfort
Adjust clothing for current needs or brush hair with gentle attention
Even on the most challenging days, a 10-minute Earth Loop can provide significant grounding benefits. This condensed practice focuses on the most essential elements â quickly connecting with both environment and body to establish a minimal but effective foundation for your spiral rhythm.
Earth Loop Variations for Different Energy Levels
Adjust your Earth Loop duration based on current energy levels. On very low energy days, focus on just 10 minutes of essential grounding. As energy increases, expand your practice to include more activities or deeper attention. During high-energy or "overflow" periods, channel extra energy into more thorough Grove and Greeves practices to help regulate and ground excess stimulation.
Adapting Earth Loop to Different Living Situations
Small Spaces
In flats or bedsits, focus on defined zones within your limited space. Even a windowsill, bedside table, or single shelf can become a Grove focus area. Portable items like a special cushion or throw can create instant comfort in Greeves practice.
Shared Accommodation
When living with others, identify your personal zones for Grove attention. Communicate with housemates about your rhythm needs. Consider a "Grove box" of items you can use to temporarily personalise shared spaces during your practice.
Family Homes
Involve family members in understanding your rhythm needs. Create a designated personal space for undisturbed Earth Loop practice. Consider family-inclusive adaptations where appropriate, such as morning window-opening rituals with children.
Earth Loop During Travel or Transition
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ð§ģ Pack Earth Loop Essentials
Include 2-3 small items that support your Grove and Greeves practices â perhaps a travel candle, special hand cream, or a fabric square from home that can mark "your" space temporarily.
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ðĄ Create Mini Territory
Upon arriving, designate a small area as "your" Grove space â perhaps a bedside table or bathroom corner where you arrange your items with intention, creating a sense of connection.
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ð Establish Portable Rituals
Adapt your usual practices to travel conditions â opening a hotel window, arranging hotel pillows mindfully, or bringing your own small hand towel for a familiar sensory experience.
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ð§ Connect with New Environment
Incorporate elements of your temporary surroundings into your practice, allowing your spiral to acknowledge and integrate the new space rather than resisting it.
The Neuroscience Behind Earth Loop
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â§ Sensory Integration
Physical interaction with environment and body stimulates multiple sensory pathways, helping to organise and regulate sensory processing systems often challenged in neurodivergent individuals.
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âģ Predictability Circuit
The rhythmic nature of Earth Loop activities activates the brain's predictability circuits, reducing uncertainty stress that particularly affects ADHD and autistic nervous systems.
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â Embodied Cognition
Physical actions during Grove and Greeves time engage embodied cognition networks, strengthening the mind-body connection that can become disconnected during states of overwhelm.
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â Executive Function Support
The gentle structure provides external scaffolding for executive function, reducing the cognitive load required to transition between activities â a common challenge in neurodivergent patterns.
Earth Loop: Common Challenges and Solutions
I feel overwhelmed by the mess before I even start
Try the "single point of attention" approach: select just one small item or area (a single cup, one corner of a surface) and focus solely on that. Give yourself permission to ignore everything else. This creates a manageable entry point without requiring you to process the entire environment.
I start but get distracted by other tasks
Keep a "Later List" nearby. When you notice your attention pulled to something outside your current focus area, quickly note it on the list and return to your original task. This acknowledges the important thought while maintaining your current spiral of attention.
The recommended time feels impossible
Remember that 10 minutes is enough to "spiral" â set a timer for just 5 or 10 minutes for each component. Short, consistent practices build more momentum than occasional perfect sessions. Consider using "time anchoring" by attaching brief practices to existing habits like making tea.
Earth Loop: Tracking Without Pressure
Gentle Documentation
Traditional habit tracking can create pressure that undermines the Flourish philosophy. Instead, consider these gentler approaches to acknowledging your Earth Loop practice:
Colour dots on a calendar (no X's for missed days)
A simple tally of total Earth Loop minutes per week
Brief journal notes about what felt good in your practice
Voice memos describing one moment of presence
Pattern Recognition
Rather than tracking for accountability, use gentle documentation to notice patterns:
Which Earth Loop practices feel most grounding?
What times of day do you naturally gravitate to these activities?
How does your energy flow after different components?
What environmental factors support or hinder your rhythm?
This curious, non-judgmental awareness helps refine your personal rhythm over time.
Earth Loop as Transition Support
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ð§ Recognise transition need
Notice when shifting between activities feels difficult
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ðĄ Micro Grove moment
Adjust one element in your environment
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ðĪ Mini Greeves practice
Reconnect with physical sensation briefly
For neurodivergent minds, transitions between activities or spaces can be particularly challenging. A mini Earth Loop can serve as a powerful transition tool. When moving between tasks or environments, incorporate a 2-3 minute abbreviated practice â perhaps straightening one item, opening a window, and then taking three conscious breaths while adjusting your clothing. This micro-ritual helps the nervous system recalibrate for the new context.
Integrating Earth Loop with Existing Routines
ðĩ Morning Beverage Pairing
Connect the first part of your Earth Loop to your morning tea or coffee ritual. While your beverage brews, open windows or tend to one plant (Grove), then sip mindfully while completing a brief body care practice (Greeves).
ð Evening Wind-Down
Incorporate Earth Loop elements into your bedtime routine. Straighten your sleep space (Grove) before washing your face and changing into sleep clothes (Greeves) to create a complete circuit that signals your nervous system it's time for rest.
âąïļ Work Break Integration
Use brief Earth Loop components during work breaks. Tidy your desk or adjust lighting (Grove) then stretch or adjust clothing for comfort (Greeves) to reset focus and presence.
Community Support for Your Earth Loop
ðĨ Finding Your People
Seek out neurodivergent-friendly communities online or locally where you can share your Earth Loop experiences. Look for spaces where the philosophy of "presence over perfection" is already understood and valued.
ðŽ Accountability Partners
Consider a gentle accountability arrangement with a friend who shares similar needs. This isn't about checking up on each other, but rather sharing moments of presence or small victories in your practice.
ð Household Agreements
If living with others, create simple agreements that support your Earth Loop needs, such as uninterrupted time for your practice or designated personal spaces that remain under your control.
âĪïļ Celebrating Together
Share the positive impacts your Earth Loop practice has on your wellbeing, helping others understand why these seemingly simple activities matter so deeply to your functioning.
Seasonal Adaptations to Earth Loop
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ð Summer
Focus Grove time on creating cool, refreshing spaces. Adapt Greeves practices for heat regulation with cooling fabrics and lighter layers.
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ð Autumn
Incorporate seasonal transitions into Grove activities â bringing in autumn elements and preparing spaces for more indoor time.
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âïļ Winter
Emphasise warmth and light in Grove practices. Increase attention to physical comfort in Greeves time with extra focus on extremities.
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ðą Spring
Refresh spaces during Grove time, introducing more light and air. Adjust Greeves practices for changing temperatures and increased activity.
Earth Loop for Varying Sensory Needs
Adjust your Earth Loop balance based on current sensory needs. When overstimulated, focus more on Grove activities that create calm, orderly environments with reduced sensory input. When understimulated, emphasise Greeves activities that provide more direct sensory feedback through touch, temperature, and movement. Learning to recognise your sensory state and adjust accordingly is a powerful self-regulation skill.
Earth Loop for Executive Function Support
Decision Reduction
Create simple decision frameworks for your Earth Loop to reduce executive function load. Examples include colour-coded clothing categories, designated Grove zones for different days, or pre-determined sequences for body care.
Visual Anchors
Develop visual reminders that bypass the need for working memory. Try photos of "completed" spaces as Grove references, step-by-step cards for Greeves sequences, or simple checklists for frequently forgotten items.
Transition Cues
Establish clear signals for transitions between Grove and Greeves time. This might be a specific sound, a physical movement, or relocating to a different area â creating external structure for internal shifts.
Earth Loop During Energy Fluctuations
Low Energy Adaptations
During energy dips, scale your Earth Loop to the essentials:
Focus on sensory change rather than cleaning (open a window rather than vacuuming)
Use sitting-based Grove activities (sorting items while seated)
Break practices into 5-minute segments throughout the day
High Energy Channeling
During energy surges, use Earth Loop to channel intensity:
Tackle more physical Grove tasks (reorganising furniture, deep cleaning)
Extend Greeves practices to include movement (longer showers, hair washing)
Complete full laundry cycles from washing to putting away
Prepare your environment for future low-energy days
Earth Loop During Overwhelming Periods
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Acknowledge the state
Recognise overwhelming feelings without judgement
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Single sensory focus
Choose one sensory experience to centre attention
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Micro Earth Loop
Complete one tiny Grove and one tiny Greeves action
During periods of intense overwhelm, the standard Earth Loop may feel impossible. In these moments, scale back to the absolute minimum: perhaps opening a window (Grove) and washing your hands (Greeves). Focus entirely on the sensory experience of these simple actions. This micro-practice acknowledges your current capacity while still providing the grounding benefit of connecting body and environment, often creating just enough stability to take the next step.
Grove Time: Creating Sensory Havens
Identify Sensory Needs
Consider what sensory elements help you feel regulated and calm. This might include specific lighting, sounds, textures, scents, or temperatures that support your unique nervous system needs.
Designate a Space
Select a small area â perhaps a corner, window seat, or even just a specific chair â that can become your sensory haven. The size doesn't matter; consistency of location helps build neurological association.
Curate Elements
Gradually add supportive sensory elements to this space during your Grove Time. This might include soft textiles, plants, specific lighting, comfort objects, or sound management tools like headphones.
Greeves Time: Body Mapping for Awareness
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ðïļ Notice
Begin with general awareness of your physical body in the present moment, without trying to change anything. Simply notice sensations, tensions, and comfortable areas.
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ð Touch
Gently place your hands on different body parts, acknowledging each area with kind attention. This might include shoulders, face, hands, feet, or any area holding tension.
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ð Adjust
Make small physical adjustments based on what you notice â perhaps shifting posture, releasing a clenched jaw, or changing position to relieve pressure.
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ð Appreciate
Conclude by acknowledging something your body is doing well or has helped you accomplish today, fostering a positive relationship with your physical self.
Integrating Morning Mirror with Earth Loop
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Daily inhale
Begin with the Morning Mirror ritual to set intention
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Grove time
Connect with and tend to your environment
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Greeves time
Attend to bodily needs and physical comfort
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Full cycle
Complete the Earth Loop for comprehensive grounding
The Morning Mirror ritual serves as a perfect prelude to your Earth Loop practice. Begin with this brief moment of presence and acknowledgement, then flow naturally into Grove and Greeves time. This sequence creates a complete spiral from internal awareness to external environment to physical body â a comprehensive cycle that supports neurodivergent regulation.
Creating Visual Supports for Earth Loop
Visual supports can significantly reduce the executive function demands of maintaining your Earth Loop practice. Create simple cards, digital images, or a printed guide showing key Grove and Greeves activities. These visual prompts bypass verbal processing, making it easier to initiate and transition between activities even during overwhelm or executive function challenges.
Grove Time: Sound Management for Space Harmony
ð Reduce Audio Clutter
During Grove Time, address sound elements that create disharmony in your space. This might include silencing notifications, turning off background TV, or addressing irritating mechanical sounds.
ðĩ Intentional Soundscapes
Consider adding harmonious sounds that support your nervous system. Options include gentle instrumental music, nature sounds, white noise, or even intentional silence if that feels most regulating.
ð Acoustic Modifications
Make small adjustments that improve sound quality in your space â perhaps adding soft textiles to reduce echo, using draft excluders to block sound transfer between rooms, or rearranging items that create unwanted vibrations.
ð Sound Markers
Incorporate intentional sound markers to define transitions in your Earth Loop, such as a gentle bell or chime to signal the beginning and end of Grove Time, creating clear auditory boundaries.
Greeves Time: Temperature Regulation for Comfort
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ðĄïļ Assess Current State
Take a moment to notice your body's temperature needs. Are you feeling too warm, too cool, or experiencing temperature variation in different body parts? Check for tension that might be related to temperature discomfort.
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ð Adjust Layers
Use clothing as a temperature regulation tool by adding or removing layers. Consider targeted solutions like warm socks for cold feet, a scarf for neck warmth, or cooling wristbands for overheating.
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ð§ Utilise Water
Incorporate water as a quick temperature modifier â perhaps washing hands in warm water when chilled, applying a cool cloth to pulse points when overheated, or sipping hot or cold beverages.
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ð Create Microclimate
Establish personal temperature zones that meet your needs even when the broader environment cannot â perhaps with a small fan, personal heater, weighted blanket, or cooling pad.
Grove Time: Light Quality Adjustments
Natural Light Optimisation
During Grove Time, assess and adjust natural light in your space. This might include opening blinds, adjusting curtains, or relocating activities to take advantage of beneficial natural light while minimising glare or harsh exposure.
Artificial Light Layering
Create a flexible lighting environment with multiple sources at different heights and intensities. This allows you to adjust lighting based on current sensory needs, activities, and time of day without major disruption.
Glare and Flicker Reduction
Identify and address problematic light sources that may be causing eye strain or sensory discomfort. Consider lamp repositioning, adding diffusers to harsh lights, or replacing flickering bulbs that may be imperceptible to others but impactful for sensitive individuals.
Greeves Time: Facial Relaxation Techniques
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ðïļ Eye Area
Gently massage around eyes to release tension
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ð Jaw Release
Loosen jaw muscles with gentle massage and stretches
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⥠Forehead Smoothing
Release brow tension with upward strokes
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ð§ Full Face Relaxation
Allow face to soften with conscious breathing
The face often holds significant tension, particularly for neurodivergent individuals managing sensory processing or masking. During Greeves Time, incorporate facial relaxation techniques to release this accumulated tension. Even 2-3 minutes of gentle attention to facial muscles can significantly reduce overall stress and improve comfort.
Earth Loop and Time Perception
Neurodivergent Time Experience
Many neurodivergent individuals experience time differently â often described as "time blindness" or non-linear time perception. This can make traditional schedules and routines challenging to maintain.
The Earth Loop approach acknowledges this different relationship with time by focusing on presence and connection rather than strict scheduling. The emphasis on "enough" rather than "complete" removes the pressure of time-based performance.
Timekeeping Adaptations
Consider these Earth Loop-friendly approaches to time:
Use visual timers to make time passage visible
Focus on sequence rather than clock time
Create time anchors by connecting practices to existing habits
Allow natural completion rather than predetermined durations
Use body signals (hunger, energy) as time markers
Earth Loop Documentation: Visual Journalling
Grove Moments
Simple sketches of spaces you've tended or objects you've arranged create a visual record of your Grove practices without requiring extensive writing. Even basic outlines or colour blocks can capture the essence of your environmental connections.
Greeves Reflections
Document body care moments through outlines of hands, simple representations of sensations, or colour swatches that represent how different practices made you feel physically and emotionally.
Spiral Patterns
Create spiral-based visual representations of your Earth Loop flow, using colour, line, or simple symbols to track how different practices connected and flowed together throughout your day or week.
Grove Time: Object Relationship Assessment
Select an Area
Choose a small collection of objects â perhaps items on a desk, shelf, or drawer â that you interact with regularly but haven't consciously assessed in some time.
Physical Engagement
Handle each object individually, noticing its physical properties â weight, texture, temperature, condition. Clean or dust the item while maintaining this mindful attention.
Relationship Consideration
Ask yourself: "Does this object support my current needs and values? Does it bring functionality, beauty, or joy? Does it have a clear home that makes sense for its use?"
Greeves Time: Proprioception Enhancement
âïļ
Weight Application
Incorporate weighted elements into your Greeves practise, such as weighted blankets, lap pads, or weighted stuffed animals. Even wearing heavier clothing or accessories can provide beneficial proprioceptive input.
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Gentle Compression
Explore compression garments like snug socks, compression sleeves, or specially designed sensory-friendly clothing that provides even pressure. Some find tight tucking of bedsheets or wrapping in a blanket similarly grounding.
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Self-Massage
Use firm, rhythmic self-massage on arms, legs, or shoulders to enhance body awareness. Tools like massage rollers, textured balls, or simple hand pressure can all provide proprioceptive feedback.
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Resistance Activities
Incorporate brief resistance-based movements like wall pushes, doorway stretches, or gentle tension-and-release exercises to activate proprioceptive sensors and increase body awareness.
Earth Loop in Partnership with Healthcare
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Share Your Framework
Explain the Earth Loop concept to healthcare providers as part of your self-regulation strategy, helping them understand how this approach supports your neurodivergent needs.
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Integration with Treatment
Work with providers to integrate Earth Loop practises with other interventions, creating a cohesive approach that respects both clinical recommendations and your personal rhythms.
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Track Relevant Patterns
Use simple documentation of your Earth Loop practise to identify patterns that might be helpful for healthcare discussions, such as correlations between consistent practise and symptom management.
Earth Loop: Celebrating Small Victories
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Acknowledge effort
Recognise the courage in showing up for yourself
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Notice change
Observe even the smallest shifts in space or sensation
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Appreciate attempt
Value the process regardless of outcome
In the Flourish Daily Rhythm, small victories deserve recognition. Opening one window, washing a single cup, or taking a moment to brush your hair mindfully are significant acts of self-care for neurodivergent systems. Rather than waiting to celebrate only major accomplishments, develop the practice of acknowledging these seemingly small moments as the foundation of your well-being.
Grove Time: Creating Transition Zones
Entryway Organisation
During Grove Time, create or refine an entryway zone that supports the transition between outside and home environments. This might include designated spots for keys, bags, and shoes, as well as sensory elements that signal "home" to your system.
Work/Rest Boundaries
Establish physical markers that differentiate work and rest areas, even in small spaces. This could be as simple as a different lighting setup, a special cushion, or a small ritual object that's present during one mode and absent during another.
Sleep Transition Space
Create a pre-sleep zone or routine that helps signal your nervous system that sleep time approaches. This might include dimming specific lights, activating a certain scent, or arranging sleep-supporting items in a consistent way.
Greeves Time: Hydrotherapy Practices
Temperature Exploration
Experiment with different water temperatures during hand washing, showering, or bathing. Notice how your body responds to variations, and how temperature changes can shift your energy and alertness levels.
Pressure Variation
Adjust water pressure to provide different sensory experiences â perhaps a gentle mist for calming or stronger pressure for stimulation and grounding. Hand-held shower attachments offer particular flexibility.
Targeted Application
Direct water to specific body areas that need attention â perhaps warm water on tense shoulders, cool water on a tired face, or alternating temperatures on hands and wrists for energy regulation.
Earth Loop: Working with Limited Spoons
For those familiar with Spoon Theory (where "spoons" represent limited energy units available to those with chronic conditions or neurodivergence), Earth Loop can be adapted for very limited energy. On low-spoon days, allocate a small but consistent percentage to minimal Grove and Greeves practices, recognising that these foundational activities often help generate more functional energy for other tasks.
Grove Time: Air Quality Considerations
ðŠ Air Exchange
Create regular air exchange routines during Grove Time, opening windows or doors for even brief periods to refresh indoor air. If outdoor air quality or temperature is problematic, consider shorter but more frequent ventilation periods.
ðŠī Plant Allies
Incorporate air-purifying plants into your space, tending to them during Grove Time. Many varieties require minimal care while providing both air quality benefits and the psychological boost of connecting with living things.
âĻ Dust Management
Address dust accumulation in small, manageable sections during Grove Time, focusing particularly on sleeping areas and frequently used surfaces. Consider microfibre tools that capture rather than redistribute particles.
ð§ Moisture Balance
Monitor and adjust humidity levels as part of your space tending. This might include using dehumidifiers in damp conditions, humidifiers in dry environments, or simple solutions like shower steam or open water containers.
Greeves Time: Hand Care Ritual
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ð§ Cleanse with attention
Wash with comfortable temperature and notice sensation
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âĶ Apply nourishment
Massage oil or cream into each finger and palm
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âïļ Release tension
Gently stretch and wiggle fingers to improve circulation
Our hands connect us to the world through touch yet often receive minimal care despite constant use. A dedicated hand care ritual during Greeves Time acknowledges these hardworking body parts. For neurodivergent individuals who may experience hypersensitivity or sensory seeking through their hands, this practice can be particularly grounding and regulating.
Earth Loop and Sleep Preparation
Bedding Refresh
Incorporate a brief bedding adjustment into evening Grove Time â perhaps smoothing sheets, fluffing pillows, or simply folding back covers in preparation. This physical preparation signals your nervous system that rest time approaches.
Light Transition
Gradually reduce and warm lighting during evening Grove activities, manually creating a sunset effect that supports natural melatonin production and helps transition your system toward sleep readiness.
Temperature Regulation
Use evening Greeves practices to prepare your body for optimal sleep temperature â perhaps a warm shower to trigger the subsequent cooling that promotes sleep onset, or targeted warming of cold extremities.
Sensory Downshift
Design a gradual sensory reduction sequence that moves from more stimulating to calmer inputs, helping your neurodivergent system power down incrementally rather than expecting an immediate shift.
Grove Time: Object Rehoming Practice
The "Just Five Things" Approach
Select just five objects from any area and consciously evaluate their current location. Ask yourself: "Is this object in its optimal home? Does where it lives make sense for how and when I use it?" Rehome these five items based on function, frequency of use, and logical association with other objects.
Creating "Landing Zones"
Designate specific areas as intentional landing zones for categories of items â perhaps a dish for jewellery, a tray for electronics, or a basket for in-progress projects. During Grove Time, practice returning items to these zones, reinforcing the neural pathways of "where things belong."
The Relationship Method
Consider objects in terms of their relationships with each other. During Grove Time, create meaningful groupings based on how items work together in your life, rather than conventional organising categories. This might mean keeping tea, favourite mug, and a book together, even though traditional organising would separate them.
Greeves Time: Sensory Diet Integration
For many neurodivergent individuals, a sensory diet â regular activities that meet specific sensory needs â is crucial for regulation. Integrate sensory diet elements into your Greeves Time by incorporating activities that provide proprioceptive input, vestibular stimulation, or specific tactile experiences. This might include using weighted items, engaging with texture tools, or creating specific sound environments.
Evolving Your Earth Loop Practice
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Begin Simply
Start with the most accessible elements of Grove and Greeves time, establishing a foundation of consistent practice.
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Notice Patterns
Gently observe what elements feel most supportive and which times of day your practice flows most naturally.
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Make Adjustments
Gradually refine your approach based on observations, adapting to your unique needs and rhythms.
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Expand Mindfully
When ready, thoughtfully incorporate new elements that enhance your established foundation.
The Heart of Flourish Daily Rhythm
âĪïļ Presence Over Perfection
Remember that the Flourish Daily Rhythm is about being present with yourself and your environment, not achieving perfect execution or completion. Small moments of mindful attention matter more than flawless routines.
ð Embracing the Spiral
Your journey with this practice will naturally spiral â sometimes feeling closer to your ideal, sometimes circling wider. This pattern isn't failure but the natural rhythm of growth, especially for neurodivergent minds.
ðĪē Gentle Persistence
Return to these practices with gentleness, again and again. Each return strengthens the neural pathways of self-care and builds your capacity for presence, regardless of how much time has passed since your last practice.
âïļ Daily Renewal
"This is the day the Spiral turns." Each day offers a fresh opportunity to engage with these practices, independent of yesterday's experience. The spiral always welcomes your return.