The Holiday Season Blues

So many joyous commercials. So many festive lights and events. Many are planning trips and shopping sprees. Employers are planning exciting parties to celebrate. However, not everyone is in the holiday mood for many reasons. It is important to take the time to allow yourself permission to feel what you feel.

Many people have suffered losses this year, whether it was due to death, divorce, loss of a home, loss of a business, or the loss of a relationship. One thing is clear; a loss is a loss. Giving yourself permission to feel, step away to take care of you and to practice self-care is okay. Please be kind to yourself and do not put pressure on yourself to push through. There are ways to use your time this season the way you think is best. The end of the year can be a perfect time to refresh and renew. Allowing yourself the time to “gather your thoughts” or “take a time out” is a form of self-care. Here are some ideas to help you practice self-care this season:

Gathering Your Thoughts

o   Take a walk through your neighborhood or through the park during a lunch break.

o   Going for a drive; park near nature (water, trees, preserve), meditating on the view from the comfort of your vehicle can be therapeutic.

o   Listen to a different genre of music that is soft and soothing. You might try ocean waves or rain soundtracks.

o   Journal the good and positive events, activities, involvements, and plans you had this year. Numbering them could add an extra drop of pleasure once you finish and see how much good has touched your year. (practicing gratitude)

Taking a Time Out

o   Watch your favorite stand-up comedian during a live event.

o   Spend quality time with a friend or two.

o   Take a bubble bath with a chilled beverage and soft music.

o   Take a break from social media, email checking, and returning business calls for one hour daily. During this time, allow yourself to sit perfectly still and listen to your breathing, feel your heart beating, close your eyes, and put your feet up. Set a timer for one hour. Repeat for one full week. Journal your ideas, solutions, or what came to your mind during that time. Review it later in the week. You may have solved world peace!

These are just a short list of ideas. Hopefully, you can think of a few more things that would best fit your personality and your lifestyle.  Whether you celebrate the season or are having a difficult time this season, please be sure to incorporate strategies to help you improve your self-care strategies. You can do this!!!! Take good care of you!!!!! You deserve it!!!!

-Intern, Dr. Rochelle Edwards

More Than Tired

Authored by Brittany Beckwith (Intern)

Life is consistently throwing us curveballs that throw us off balance. It can become difficult just doing the small things. Cleaning up, practicing self-care, getting enough sleep, or going to work. But do we struggle to go to work because of the curveballs life throws at us or is work causing us extreme burnout? What is burnout you ask? It is not just “being sick of work”- it is so much more than that. Burnout is more than being tired. It is the prolonged emotional, physical, and mental stress. It is what happens when you are so overwhelmed, so emotionally drained, and completely unable to keep up with the incessant demands of…well…life.

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We are all working adults here and know that being tired comes with the territory, however, when is it more than tired? Is it when we are three weeks late for a deadline because we have not slept in a week? Is it when you hate going to work? Or is it when you are so frustrated that you do not see the point in anything anymore? We work to live, not live to work. It is hard deciding when enough is enough and recognizing when it is time to prioritize ourselves and take a break. We are not our best when we are trying to pour from an empty cup. I, too, am guilty of not taking a break when I know that I am on the verge of breaking, but I am sure I am not alone in that. It is so easy to become consumed by our work and consumed in our everyday lives that we forget to pause and be kind to ourselves. Taking time for yourself, recognizing when to step away, and acknowledging when you have had enough is a challenging thing to do- but so worth it in the end. As I said, we work to live not live to work and we must keep reminding ourselves that we are people TOO! We are all someone worth pouring into and are all worthy of revival. I am sure that this time of the year can be incredibly stressful for many of us but if there is anything that I can offer you, it is this: Pause. Reflect. Revive. #Selah.

The New Normal (The Great Reacclimation)

Authored by: Brittany (Clinical Social Work Intern)

788 days. 2 years, 1 month, 2 weeks, 4 days and counting. March 13th, 2020 was the day that changed the way we think, live, and feel. We were stopped in our tracks and what felt like frozen in time. We thought we were getting a break from the rush of life but that break never ended. Many of us lost jobs, lost homes, lost loved ones, lost ourselves, and lost things we don't speak about. This is the first time you guys will hear what's on my heart and on my mind but it won't be the last, so I hope you'll stick around.

The fact of the matter is that COVID is becoming more manageable day by day, which means that many of us (including myself) are getting back to normal. But, what is normal? Our lives have been completely changed and it can be difficult getting back into the swing of things and recreating our lives post-pandemic. It is easy to think that we can get back to our “normal” lives, but nothing about these last 2 years has been normal and we are all changed. It can be stressful and traumatic moving forward from something like this but here are some tips to help get you reacclimated. Try some out, it might change your life.

1. Get outside

Be with nature, breath, refocus and realign. Being in fresh air can help ground you and bring you back to the present moment while recognizing the beauty of the world.

2. Reconnect with loved ones

While we are still in a pandemic, research shows us that positive COVID rates are decreasing and things are a little safer. Connect with your loved ones in safe ways. Try connecting over zoom or outside!

3. Stay in the know

Be aware of your surroundings, be aware of the restrictions, rules, and regulations in your area. Having accurate information can ease anxieties and make for less stressful days.

4. Grieve properly

We have all lost things and not just due to death. It can be hard to lose things that had such an impact on us. It is okay to have feelings about it. Feel them, let them run their course. Reach out to friends and family, talk about it, journal…just get it out.

5. Practice Self-Care

Take a few moments to prioritize yourself. Doing things to take care of yourself each day, such as taking a bath, listening to music, eating healthy food, and getting enough sleep. These habits can help build confidence, resilience, and health.

6. Take a break

As life continues to go back to normal. Remember to take a break and pause. Taking a break is sometimes essential to being your best self. Do not feel guilty for taking a step away and refocusing.

7. Find a new hobby

Finding new things that you enjoy can help distract you from the stressors of life. Doing things that you enjoy can be motivating and can help ground you.

8. Establish a routine

Many daily routines have changed due to COVID-19. Structure and routine can be beneficial and calming. Creating a new normal with enjoyable and practical tasks can help foster resiliency to change and chaos. Mindfully creating lists and events such as starting your morning with a cup of tea or coffee can help get your day started.

9. Practice mindfulness

Acknowledging and accepting the present moment. Being aware of where you are mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually and acting accordingly. Take recognition of your thoughts and feeling. Mindfulness and meditation are great ways to relieve stress

Embrace the Now!

It has been over a year since I have had the honor of sharing my heart with you. The past 7 months has been interesting to say the least. We are living in unprecedented times and a new way of functioning for our safety, literally. We have experienced loss, financial concerns, stress, health concerns, and a number of other things if I am honest.

Over the past 7 months, although I have experienced a lot of change, I also encountered some time to reflect. Believe it or not, I not only reflected on my own stuff but I thought about my clients, family, friends and followers I hoped that each person was using this difficult time to actually process where they are mentally, spiritually and physically. It was my hope that everyone was reflecting on their goals that have not died and thinking of new opportunities as we hold on to the strength of the hope we have left.

I realized that although there is much change, there has also been much growth. Growth can come from something being embraced, nurtured and attended to. I encourage you today, to not allow your dreams and hopes to wither away. Please know that whatever is in you is also connect to your purpose. Despite the challenges and the heaviness of periodic moments, you are needed. What you bring to your communities, families, workplace, etc., it is needed.

Pick up the pen and the paper or just begin typing. Write what is in your heart. There is work that still needs to be done and you are the person to do it. Embrace the NOW, Embrace your NOW! We need you and all of the good that comes from you…especially during unprecedented moments like this. Let’s make change and Let’s make impact!!! I am embracing the Now with you!!!

#selah

Reset Me!!

Sitting watching the Sun beam on my trees in my back yard, I reflect on the shift that is currently taking place in my life. I think of my business, my clients, and goals. I also realize that there are moments where one needs to reset. For some, those moments are very few and for others it can be many. I fall into the many category.

If you are anything like me, organization helps me to think clearly and to be able to focus on the tasks at hand. This blog post is the first in many months due to me focusing on multiple projects. However, I understood the importance of returning to this with a new found commitment. There are messages that we all have within that possess the ability to impact greatly.

Reset Me! is about me resetting emotionally, physically and spiritually. It is also about me encouraging you to do the same. Life continues despite our desires to slow it down sometimes. What is in our control is how we manage ourselves with life’s movement. We can utilize the Selah effect, which is pause, reflect and then revive . To pause means we take inventory of our current state of mind and effectiveness. Then we reflect on how we have responded to said areas, the changes needed if any, and if we will continue with the path as originally planned or if we are charting another course. Then revive is the action, the moment of movement.

Today is the opportunity to determine where you are. I have chartered a new course for me and reset my motivation device to ensure that I reach those in need. Who are you called to today? How much attention have you given to yourself to ensure that your reset is taking place? Please be sure to reset as needed and give your full attention to you in order to be the best YOU! #Selah

I am Not In A Hole!→

This is the first time I am using a video blog to share my message on how not to be in a hole.

Please click the Title to go directly to the message.

Please like and share with others. Thank you in advance.

—Sharon