© Nicole Bratt
I woke up today thinking "Yes, you can be grateful AND angry at the same time." Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that we have access to the entire wild spectrum of human experience at any given time... and that that fact can be both overwhelming AND a powerful tool for authentic connection. And that's where I'm at these days, my friends. Feeling all the feelings, combined with intermittent fatigue, overwhelm, and confusion, doing the best I can to take care of myself and others, as I ride this new world rollercoaster with all of you.
How are you? What are you doing to stay resilient? What have you given up? What have you gained? Are you taking naps? This is a remarkable time for our brains and bodies, and they need more rest because they're under stress and expending precious energy adapting to a new not-normal.
Are you feeling all the feels, too? Are you finding creative ways to acknowledge and express them? Here are some of the ways I'm currently finding expression and balance:
Compassion and gratitude. Lately, I've been loving this 10-minute self soothing touch and loving kindness practice called "havening". (Thanks, Pamela, for the share!) I modify from his demo by moving my hands slower, and adding a heart sweep from sternum toward armpits. Sometimes I do it without the video at all. Every time I finish, I feel more calm, centered, and compassionate towards myself and others.
Anger and depression. I've been releasing pent up anger and shifting depression energy (so often related) by dancing like a damn fool in my living room! I got myself on the Ryan Heffington train (more here), and have found several other dance experiences that are helping me break free from my grump-fests. Are you dancing, too? I'd love to know your faves!
Fatigue and overwhelm. These two also seem to go hand-in-hand, and are lately more present for me than they were at the beginning of the pandemic. As most of you know, I'm an evangelist for naps, and now more so than ever: I lie down with a pillow under my knees, set a timer for 20-minutes, and cover my eyes. Also, rest related: my Restorative practice has become even simpler, with less props and more spontaneous timing. I've also given myself permission to do less when and where possible: I put only one thing on my daily "most important item to-do today" list (instead of three) — and am generous with myself if instead of that one thing, I actually did 7 other things instead. ;) I've been naming this "releasing judgement from priority setting".
Read on for some ways I might support you at this time.
With love & resilience,
Nicole