Putting on your oxygen mask first: survival tips for the "end of the world"
As I type this, my kids are quiet for the moment, deep in their school work. The birds are singing in the sunshine, and the trees in my yard are all in bloom.
On the surface, the world is still, quiet and peaceful.
It’s surreal to juxtaposition this immediate experience to what’s happening across the globe. And admittedly, up until the last 48 hours, I was in a frenzy.
Sanitizing my buildings, my kids, the dog, securing accounts, postponing trips, buying groceries to last for as long as possible, rescheduling clients, preparing to be a full time homeschooling teacher, and any number of odds and ends that suddenly became essential during this time really had me feeling overwhelmed, and I struggled for a minute….okay, for like, a couple days.
But I allowed myself the experience; I allowed myself to feel vulnerable, afraid, anxious, and unsure. I allowed the critical voices in my head to whisper “You should be staying calm right now; you have tools, skills, you should KNOW better”.
And then…..I decided that the voices and fears had been given enough space, and it was time for them to go.
This email is your reminder that allowing ALL your feelings right now is OKAY. Hell, it’s more than okay. It’s HEALTHY!
But there is a difference between allowing your feelings, and letting your feelings run the show. Your feelings are precisely that: YOURS. They ALL belong. But feelings are temporary; they aren't meant to drive your decision-making or judgment of a situation.
So allow the feelings... and then decide which feelings get to hang out...kinda like family members. Some of them should only be allowed in your presence for a short period of time, for everyone's sake.
This emotional self-care is akin to you putting your oxygen mask on first, so that you can help others who need you. And you are certainly needed at this time.
About the pandemic.....
This virus is reminding us that NOTHING can “prepare us” for Life. No matter how well we plan, at the end of the day, there are forces bigger than us that will ultimately have the final say in the conditions we experience.
BUT….
We always have the FINAL SAY on how we deal with the conditions put on our path.
Now, more than ever, it’s vital that you take charge of how you’re going to meet your Life each day.
Now, more than ever, it’s vital we choose calm over chaos, peace over panic, and presence over paranoia.
TIPS For Surviving The State of The World:
Limit your social media and news intake: keep it down to 30 minutes a day, ideally split into 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night. I know it’s hard not to constantly check for updates about the state of things, but trust me: you can find out everything you need to know in 30 total minutes, split up in the am and pm. More than that is useless and stresses you out.
On this note, do NOT reach for your phone first thing in the morning or as the last thing at night. Instead, commit to starting and ending each day writing out a minimum of 10 things you’re grateful for. Now more than ever, focusing on the positives in your Life will keep you present and peaceful. From peaceful presence, you’ll be capable of making the best decisions for yourself.
Stay well rested, hydrated, and self compassionate. Most of us have lived our lives sleep deprived, dehydrated and poorly nourished. Give yourself permission to sleep in a little, find a big cup and fill it up with water at least 4 times per day, watch the booze intake, eat your veggies, and cut yourself some slack.
As a high achiever, it takes a lot of intention for me to allow myself to not get everything done in one day. Facing an indefinite amount of time at home, my brain starts to busy itself with projects. But I’m aware that this busy-ness is usually my coping mechanism for dealing with fear; it’s my crutch. Scheduling my days with a little work and a little rest, a little more work and a little more rest, allows me to continue making my Life meaningful, while also giving me the respite I need to take stock, reflect, meditate and receive insights from Higher Power. If I don’t get it all done in a day, or as I scheduled it, is A OKAY. The world is asking something totally new from me, and finding my bearings with it isn’t a test of my worth. No one is judging but me. And judging is not my function; forgiveness is.
There is something powerful in this destruction: as long as you are alive, you have the power to create. And there’s no better time to be creative than when all the old structures have come crumbling down, leaving an unencumbered open space...a blank canvas on which to craft the New.
The world is being forced to do this right now. And so are you.
You got this. WE got this.
Reach out if you need any support and I’ll be in touch shortly with more videos, trainings, articles and tips.
Until then, sending you a huge hug and a prayer for strength,
Love, Stephanie
