Welcome to Hearten

It’s been a long year for many of us. Much has changed and shifted in our national landscape.

We have experienced collective grief and trauma. As we approach the 1-year COVID-19 pandemic marker for many of us in the United States, there are a few things I would like to share with you.

One is to remember that this next month, you might feel really tired or unproductive or “just not yourself.” This can be due to our body’s remembrance of the intense stress we felt last March when there was so much uncertainty and a lot of fear.

Many of us might feel unexpected grief and loss in the next few weeks as we notice the things we missed. One way to hold yourself during this time is to be as John O’Donohue put it “excessively gentle with yourself and each other”.

Moving forward I will be using this space to:

1) Challenge you with a reflective question,
2) Give a self-care practice focusing on today or the week ahead, and
3) Share a self-care tip from one of you.

Reflection Question:

Have you been practicing excessive gentleness with yourself and those around you?

Sit, light a candle, breathe 4 deep breaths and ask yourself how you have been gentle or compassionate with yourself this past week. This could look like so many things. Some examples are saying no to something, going to bed earlier, acknowledging you did your best, sitting in nature, etc.

Write how your answer makes you feel. Breathe and see if you would like to enhance or expand this practice this week.

Self-Care Practice:

It’s okay to worry and grieve.

It’s crucial to allow yourself/your parts to have that time. Try blocking off 15-30 minutes a day to let yourself worry, or be anxious or sad. When the time is up, say a closing phrase like, “I honor you, my worries and my grief, and I am leaving you here. I will come back for you tomorrow.”

Take 5 deep breaths (in your nose, out your mouth), drink some water, move your body, then go on with your day.

Resource:

My favorite meditation app is Insight Timer (It’s free!)