Jewelry as an Anchor

How do I anchor myself when I’m feeling unmoored? 

This’s a question that’s been on my mind lately. I find the imagery of an anchor to be grounding — quite literally. There’s a connection and hold to a footing, and yet this is not a rigid state. There’s flexibility; the thing that’s anchored can move with and respond to whatever it is that’s affecting it. 

So what are some of my answers to this question?

• Certain people, yes, can be an anchor .

• Activities, such as walking where I cannot hear the sound of any other humans, feeling my feet on sand, or practicing yoga, can absolutely tether me strongly to this earth.

• Being by myself in a state of stillness.

• Cooking and eating delicious and nutritious food.

• Jewelry - I come back to this over and over. It can feel like a secret power source.

Jewelry can be a balm, a source of security, stability, confidence or comfort in, as one definition of anchor reads, “an otherwise uncertain situation.”  

Some recent examples:

—On a sensitive and emotional day, I chose to wear a ring that has an element that moves around the band, thus I could hold that element in my palm, move it around a little and use it to keep me in feeling and present. Not only this, but the ring was made by Johan van Aswegen, and for me holds a deep sentiment, sincerity, and connection to deep and powerful emotions that often mark transitions.

—For a solid two-three weeks now chosen the same combination of earrings to where (when typically I switch them daily.) What’s the combination? A pair of gold ball studs that were my husband’s grandmother’s (she passed away Thanksgiving time) accompanied by some of the oldest earrings that I still make, Scalloped & Faceted Large Criss Cross (what I consider ‘Raïssa Bump classics.’) Unplanned, yet in hindsight very elemental and grounding for me. Snapshot below.

Do you find jewelry to be an anchor for you in some way?

Leave a comment below, I’m interested in hearing.