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Drop the Story, Feel the Feeling:
A Practice in Presence
Loren Boyd
February 24, 2025
Dear Friends,
Have you ever found yourself in a yoga pose, mind racing — telling a story about why it’s too hard, why you should be better at it, or what it means about you? One moment, you’re in Warrior II; the next, your mind has spun a whole narrative around something that’s taken you somewhere else completely.
This is where the real practice begins.
Pema Chödrön offers the wisdom: “Drop the story, feel the feeling.” Just like on your mat, life presents moments that challenge us. The mind immediately constructs a story — about how things should be, who’s to blame, or what might happen next. But what if, instead of following that mental spiral, we paused, took a deep breath, and noticed what’s here?
An emotion like anger that's an automatic response lasts just ninety seconds from the moment it's triggered until it runs its course. One and a half minutes, that's all. When it lasts any longer, which it usually does, it's because we've chosen to rekindle it.
Much like in a deep hip opener or a shaky balancing pose, emotions arise — discomfort, frustration, resistance. Instead of reacting, we can stay, feel, and breathe.
A Practice for Presence: On and Off the Mat
Next time you catch yourself lost in a story — whether during yoga or in daily life — try this simple practice:
Pause & Notice — Where has your mind gone? What story are you telling yourself?
Drop the Story — Gently shift your focus from the thoughts to the sensations in your body. What do you feel — tightness, warmth, heaviness, energy?
Breathe Into the Feeling — Instead of resisting or analyzing, meet the feeling with curiosity. Let it move through you, just like breath moves through your body.
Return to the Present — Come back to this moment, whether it’s your breath, your body, or the ground beneath you.
Beyond the Mat: Dropping the Story in Life & Business
This practice isn’t just for yoga — it’s also for how we show up in our lives, our work, and our creative expression. Whether you’re navigating personal growth, building a business, or shaping your brand’s identity, the same patterns arise.
Maybe you’ve been telling yourself a story about what’s possible: I’m not ready. I don’t have the skills. What if I fail? But what if you dropped the story and simply stepped into the feeling — the excitement, the curiosity, the deep knowing that something is ready to emerge?
Through my life coaching, branding, and web design work, I help people move past these narratives, get clear on their vision, and create something that truly aligns with who they are. If you’ve been feeling stuck — whether in your personal journey or your business — I’d love to help you find clarity and momentum.
If this resonates, let’s connect. Book a free consultation directly into my calendar to explore how we can work together.
