I had always fancied the idea of living abroad and developing lines of wisdom that comes only with living amidst a new culture. But when the moment finally arrived and a move to Switzerland was on the cards, my 39-year-old self filled with fear. As the orange glow of street lamps on my London row of safe terraced house pushed through the gaps between my curtains at night, I tossed and turned. While I knew a move to Switzerland was the right choice for my young family, how would I settle in and make sure my Shakti would remain strong?
Shakti means ‘power’ and speaks of a dynamic cosmic force that blazes through the universe. As a person of Indian origin, I often think about possessing Shakti in order to feel like I can live my life to the fullest. When I have Shakti, I feel I have purpose and am authentically living my life. I feel impactful and alive. With my inner growth fuelled, and I feel part of something greater.
My Shakti shone from meaningful “everyday little interactions” in my London life, a wise friend reminded me, who feared what effect the impending move would have on me. Just on our way to our regular coffee shop, we passed three people I knew, greeting the flower seller too. In Zug, which our Zürich-based insurance broker described as a city so quiet they had to pay people to drive, I would have to start from scratch. With whom would I drink my tea? And where? Where would I get my nails done before a special holiday, and would I fly back to London to get my hair balayage sorted by my loyal hairdresser? The butterflies in my stomach began to swarm. How would I carve out space for myself when I needed to learn to speak two types of German to fit in?
Ten months have passed since I arrived in Zug, and to my surprise, I am increasing my Shakti to its highest point in years. Below I share with you just how!
Beauty
Growing up in the Indian Culture in the UK, beauty rituals were not seen as indulgences but more as a part of everyday life, just like ‘Sewa’ (voluntary service). So there was no particular guilt associated with nourishing and making oneself feel strong. On trips back to India, I also observed this: women would practice self-care and have an inner grace while wearing their vibrant saris, even in the most modest of environments.
I would leave warm coconut oil in my hair from a young age and make earthy and effective facemasks from natural yogurt and chickpea flour. When I had acne as a teenager, a wise lady from the temple brought dried neem leaves for me from her India trip, and I used warm almond oil on my post-pregnancy stretch marks.
I have been amazed to be almost spoilt for choice with the beauty offering here in Zug and have even found a hairdresser that fits me to sort out the balayage. There is a more personal offering here in Zug than in London, where many businesses have become overly commercialized, and it sometimes feels like being on a conveyer belt. As described with the home remedies, you can also make time for your relationship with yourself at home. Beauty rituals give ‘Shakti’, and the lockdown has highlighted this for many of us worldwide who have missed the physical and mental boost to feel luminous and alive.
Creativity
During my first months in Zug, what struck me immediately was how slowly the time passed compared to my days in London. Of course, logic would suggest the disparity was the long commuting times in London coupled with the inefficiency of dealing with big city life as a parent of young kids. But it would not surprise me if scientists would suddenly discover time moved simply faster over there. So After years spent at university, working on my career and then having children, my youngest starting nursery here in Zug liberated me with a chance to slow down for the first time in years. I immediately jumped on the opportunity to take up a hobby.
My new hobby had to be something creative because as a child, my passions were all creative- mainly art, piano playing and marvelling over the many flowers in my parents Yorkshire garden! So while I couldn’t commit to an instrument, I could take time every Wednesday evening to take an art class. Blown away by the Zen of painting, I quickly become hooked on my now favourite Shakti spot in Zug, Atelier Roshi.
The scent of paint, coffee and scented candles greet me as I leave my worries outside the door. Artist Roshi offers a perfect balance of freedom to expression, all the while expertly guiding you, exceeding your expectations in the process. There is a creative energy in the room amongst the varied attendees, and I feel my mind problem solving, learning to be open to unpredictability and appreciating imperfection.
I painted Shiv Shakti, as Shakti can be seen as an agent of change, a dance that destroys demonic forces and restores balance. This weekly ritual has become part of my meditation given the Covid-19 situation, expressing my feelings right on the canvas. I also painted a sheet of lotus flowers as I thought of Shakti and dug for the goddess strength within.
But if painting isn’t your thing, music, journaling, and photography are all examples of creative hobbies that can benefit all aspects of your life as well as your Shakti. Professionally and personally, there is creative potential to change amidst a crisis. ‘When you surrender to unpredictability, you are more open to creativity’ – An especially useful idea from Deepak Chopra to be thinking about within the current pandemic.
Water
We have evolved from living close to water as an essential life source, and maybe this is why living by the water is so powerful for Shakti and relaxation. I may have had my favourite streets and favourite parks in London, but in Zug, I feel entirely new sensations from living so close to a lake. The rhythmic sounds of water soothe the brain, just like it does for my youngest through the white noise machine playing waves crashing that has lulled him to sleep since newborn age. I never knew I would get so much Shakti from living by a lake, but it is undoubtedly the most peaceful aspect of my everyday life here in Zug.
I started this article with a hankering for lines on my face of wisdom from living abroad. However, with all this Shakti and my black book now filled with new regulars, my face might just become ‘line proof’. The community I feared I would never feel part of is developing too. For further inspiration on this subject, check out Kristin’s article on a yarn bombing community project here in Zug.
Podcasts to inspire strength from within
- On purpose with Jay Shetty: Episode 228 – 5 ways to find balance between your ambition and wellbeing to reach your potential and succeed in work and life.
I almost felt as though there was an imaginary medal in London awarded for being busy. Jay Shetty tells us how not keeping balance can be counter-productive as rest periods are where we make gains.
- Mom brain with Hilaria Baldwin and Daphne Oz: Season 2, Episode 35 – Deepak Chopra and Mallika Chopra want us to focus on being human.
Especially good for those caring for others during this pandemic, learn specific practices for yourself and your children.
- Feel better, live more with Dr Ranjan Chatterjee: Season 4, Episode 144 – Auschwitz survivor Dr Edith Eger on how to discover your inner power.Ranjan said he came out of this podcast a different person. I feel exactly the same—a powerful episode full of incredible wisdom.
- Easy Ayurvedic Tips for Your Skin, Hair and Life: 2/12/20 Goop Presents -Beauty Close
Geeta’s black book for Zug
- Hairdresser in Zurich and Zug: Caroline Rohwer Hairdressing – A colour genius in Zurich and more recently also in Zug!
- Massage in Zurich and Zug: Chiida Spa – Talent for massage coupled with a mental trip to Thailand.
- Nails in Zurich and Zug: Glow Concierge – They come to you, so no need to walk home in flip flops.
- Facial in Zug: Hautnah Kosmetik – Small, personal and effective care.
- Waxing in Zug: Purita Kosmetik – A Brazillian duo I have found to be exceptional at waxing.
- Swiss school of music – Passion which goes above and beyond for music and teaching.
- Atelier Roshi – My ultimate Shakti spot in Zug in joint first place with the lake.
