Self care the new shoes?!…
The past 14 months has been a roller coaster ride for us all - with lots of uncertainty, worry, and stress about the impact of the Cold virus could have on our lives and the lives of those we love. Job security has been put in jeopardy, holiday plans have been put on hold, and many families are trying to juggle the demands of working from home with children to entertain and three meals a day to put on the table.
We’ve not had the benefits of all our usual ‘de-stresser’ activities - be that hitting the gym for a workout, catching up with friends for a coffee, or the luxury of a delicious meal being placed in front of you at a restaurant. As a result, we’re all feeling the strain - we’re tired, tense and plain fed up with the whole situation.
My advice? Try to take the positives out of the crisis, and use this extraordinary situation as an opportunity to gain clarity on what it is that you need to help you maintain a good level of self care. Many clients are coming to me with insomnia, holding tension in their bodies, and generally feeling like their nerves are on edge. I am lucky to be able to help them re-centre to their own body and spirit, and help them gain a sense of equilibrium that has been lacking for us all of late.
It is totally normal to feel this way, there is nothing wrong with you at all! You are reacting in a very typical way to a set of unbelievably stressful circumstances. It’s ok to feel ‘all up in a heap’ - the most important thing is to be aware … of your body, your mind and how your spirit is feeling. Take a few deep breaths and listen to that inner voice that will tell you quite clearly what it is that you need right now - be it an early night, a good massage, a right old belly laugh or distraction through watching some engrossing TV. Be gentle with yourself. You’ve come this far, and you will get through this.
As the world opens up, and things start to feel like they are getting back to some semblance of normality, what has struck me in meeting my clients, is that there is a distinct moving away from the frantic consumerism of old - yes, we’re looking forward to a whizz around the shops and picking up a few bits and bobs, but most of the feedback I’ve been hearing is that the things that most people are looking forward to are simple, basic and primal - a hug from a friend, a pat on the back from a parent, time with with a therapist to soothe the soul and recenter the body. The value in self care has never been higher - if the past 14 months has taught us nothing, is that when you strip everything away, how you FEEL is the most important and all-pervasive thing in your life.
So, instead of buying a new pair of high heels (I can’t remember the last time I wore a pair! And I honestly can’t see an opportunity to wear them again for quite a while yet!..) why don’t you invest in yourself - in your body, your mind, your spirit. Take the time and give yourself permission to be looked after by another - be a therapist, a masseur or your hairdresser. This investment in yourself will bring you such unbelievablereturns - you’ll feel ready to move mountains and will be able to support all those around you even better too.
The time for new shoes is hopefully in the not too distant future, but for now… why don’t you take this chance to really explore what a little investment in self care can do for you!
Contact me now to secure an appointment - my diary is booking up at an alarming rate! You can book here.