Whew, it has been a WEEK (er, year?!) For all of us hoping that election day wouldn’t take a week, or that COVID wouldn’t keep thowing setbacks for us, or just life in general. Some weeks are worse than others. Gosh, this has been a heavy week. (Though I have to say after this weekend I am breathing a sigh of relief!)
My kids’ schools went remote again after a month of 2 days a week in school (and 3 days at home.) Over this past month I have seen them return to “normal,” start to make new friends, they needed it. I was so happy for them (and me, for some alone time to work!) But, because of elevated rates around us, we are virtual again until Thanksgiving. I felt the blow of this, and they felt it. This heavy weight that descends and makes you feel hopeless.It’s hard to navigate as an adult, never mind as a growing kid right now. I like to name the feelings we feel and honor them. We work to describe the exact feeling if we can. My kids came up with bored and frustrated and mad. All valid. I feel hopeless and anxious. Once we name our feelings we move into honoring them.
Which brings me to 3 things to think about this week…
1) We are all feeling SOMETHING right now. Can you name it? Where do you feel it in your body? Really think, where is it, feel it fully. (I usually feel mine as a heavy weight on my chest.) It won’t drown you, I promise.Allow yourself to FEEL the crappiness and anxiety.It’s okay. Now I need you to MOVE. I like to go for a walk or run, sometimes I do a Melissa Woods Healthvideo. Get your body moving and move that energy around, and eventually, out.Sometimes I will be lying on the couch and feel just so anxious and sad, so I will get up and do something, anything. Take one lap around your living room. It doesn’t have to be big, just move a little. Or a lot. I feel like boxing would be amazing right now, just hitting and getting aggression out on a punching bag! The key here is, you don’t want to push bad feelings away or resist them. You want to feel them, and then release them. Let it get really freakin’ uncomforatable. It will pass. Action, even small movements or a shift from one room to another, helps with anxiety. Don’t let that negative energy stagnate.
2) Something else that has worked for me has been really living in the moment and asking, “what feels good next?” Just keep doing that, over and over. Stay in the moment if you can.
I wake up and ask that question and a thought will pop up. It changes by the day and hour, but I honor is. Some things that felt good next this week…
Painting my nails a pretty blue color
Going for multiple walks and pilates videos
Setting up some Xmas decor
Going to Hobby Lobby for more decor;)
Reading a book
Getting iced coffee
Buying something pretty online (only do this from a good mindset, not an addictive one. )
Listening to piano Xmas music on Spotify
Wearing a comfy jumpsuit with dark red lips
Eating more chocolate than usual (lol)
Lighting a yummy candle
Movie night with the kids
Watching cooking shows with my husband
You see how none of these are groundbreaking, they just felt good at the time. Pick things that pick you up and you know make you feel right now. Do you have a JOY list? Sydney explains it well hereand I completely agree with her. Have a list of things that you can turn to when anxiety can take over. Aim to take care of yourself and protect your energy. Make time for you. You are worth it.
3)Do you know who you are? Are you living for you or someone else’s version of who you should be? Do you know what you love and desire the most? YOU, not anyone else?
Brooke explained this so well in her podcast this week,and I took an entire page of notes. How many of us have sat down lately and asked what we really want? Not your parents, kids, husband/spouse, friends, society, but YOU. I think for a long time I have lived trying to be a certain version of myself that I think others wanted me to be. I’m a people pleaser and I can adapt my personality to fit what I think other people want. Can you relate?
I’ve dressed the way I think other people may like, agreed with someone to be polite, and went to war with my body so it would fit into what society deemed as “good. ”
But what do I want? What do YOU want? What feel good for you?
I’ve been slowly dismantling these rules I’ve had for myself that created the person I felt I had to be. Letting go of old beliefs and trying to be everything to everyone. I’ve been slowly becoming more ME than I ever have been and that is so freeing.
That’s it for this week! I hope this upcoming week is amazing for you and each day you choose something for you that brings you joy. I’m rooting for you.
