The Next Day

Many of you reached out after yesterday’s post. Thank you! I love y’all for your big hearts and caring.

Thought I would give you an update on how the rest of the day went and what I exactly did to navigate that craziness.

First, it was just what I said in the video. I had my own back. All through the snotty mess, I did not talk s**t to myself. Not once. I had 100% confidence that I would find my way to the other side of this dense mood. I trusted the process.

I could have decided I’ve been working too hard. Chasing big dreams is for other people, the luckier ones. Maybe I’m too old. I could have blamed my partner, politicians, the weather or the fact I don’t have a fancy kitchen. But I stayed the course. I’ve promised myself that I would commit to a goal and I’m not letting myself down. I put as much emphasis on this promise to me as I would a promise to my child.

And then I drilled down on self care.

* Journalled about how the feelings settled in my body. What were the specific sensations? Where did I feel the dense mood?

* Took a break from my normal workouts and invested in a cooling yin yoga practice. Without panic that I didn’t burn calories or build muscle.

* Owned the fact that I was a little forgetful and less productive for that day. Most people are very forgiving when you explain it’s got nothing to do with them.

* Stayed away from alcohol, comfort eating and went to bed early. Drank lots of water to flush out the endotoxic hormone overload from the stress.

The key takeaway is this: circumstances do not create our moods. I have been working hard. We do have some terrible politicians. It was super hot. And I don’t have granite countertops in my kitchen. I am 62.

When I dissected where my mood came from, I found a thought… my partner always argues when I propose a new idea. Which is true. He is very conservative. That thought brought on frustration, the fight and, well, you saw the result.

Now what if I substitute “my partner and I always manage to find the best idea together” which is absolutely true. I have over 2 decades of evidence to support how we have built a lovely life. Now the feeling is confidence/patience. The result is something new gets created without suffering.

How elegant.

It’s tough to always sort this out in the moment, though, isn’t it? That’s why we practice. And we learn. And I share with you so you can learn with me.

Namaste