I walk alone a lot. I pray. I go to weekly 12 Step meetings. I go to therapy. I see my friends regularly. Without these things, I’m not in great shape — this is the bare minimum I need to do to care for my life and I highly recommend them all.
Today I am eating when I am supposed to be fasting. But sole care of two kiddos - I can't keep my shit together while fasting. So I go into chemo tomorrow knowing that nausea will be worse because I ate, but my kids got a sane mummy today.
I run, I practice yoga and meditation and I write, write, write.
Also, I ask for what I need. It's new but it's really freeing. OMG, just simply asking for what I want and then I get it! Or I don't get it but I'm not left wondering. Wonderful!
Empathy buddy meetings. Talking to a friend with the explicit intention to hold non-judgmental, non-advising space for being heard and accepted exactly as we are. OMG such a relief, every time.
Running; crying when I am overwhelmed with sadness; caring for plants; connecting with friends and my husband; supporting others, expressing myself through writing, sharing appreciations and celebrations with others; working to transform judgments of others.
I'm getting more in tune with my needs. This isn't something I was socialized to pay attention to. Of course we all have needs, but expressing or even attending to them was discouraged. So, rather than sticking to a strict self-care routine, I pause long enough to ask myself, "How are you feeling? What do you need?" Then I figure out a way to either support those needs myself or ask for support.
I walk alone a lot. I pray. I go to weekly 12 Step meetings. I go to therapy. I see my friends regularly. Without these things, I’m not in great shape — this is the bare minimum I need to do to care for my life and I highly recommend them all.
Yes to all of these? Those alone walks can bring so much peace and clarity to me. Community, so needed!
Today I am eating when I am supposed to be fasting. But sole care of two kiddos - I can't keep my shit together while fasting. So I go into chemo tomorrow knowing that nausea will be worse because I ate, but my kids got a sane mummy today.
I run, I practice yoga and meditation and I write, write, write.
Also, I ask for what I need. It's new but it's really freeing. OMG, just simply asking for what I want and then I get it! Or I don't get it but I'm not left wondering. Wonderful!
Empathy buddy meetings. Talking to a friend with the explicit intention to hold non-judgmental, non-advising space for being heard and accepted exactly as we are. OMG such a relief, every time.
Yay for full blow, wide-open acceptance.
Running; crying when I am overwhelmed with sadness; caring for plants; connecting with friends and my husband; supporting others, expressing myself through writing, sharing appreciations and celebrations with others; working to transform judgments of others.
Yes! All of these. Had a good cry this morning.
I'm getting more in tune with my needs. This isn't something I was socialized to pay attention to. Of course we all have needs, but expressing or even attending to them was discouraged. So, rather than sticking to a strict self-care routine, I pause long enough to ask myself, "How are you feeling? What do you need?" Then I figure out a way to either support those needs myself or ask for support.
Such a revolution to attend to our own needs!