A Helpful Self-Care Practice
Life is full of challenges, in both positive and negative ways. Each of us has adaptive methods for navigating the stressors we come across as well as an accumulation of built up negative thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.
Over time, the negative thoughts and feelings weigh us down and make it more difficult to live peacefully. The pressure of the difficult experiences we've had builds until we feel burnt out, exhausted, anxious, depressed.
Counselors unite behind the practice of self-care as a way of releasing the pressure of stress that we all experience. Like counseling, self-care is tailored to the individual taking into account their personal preferences for relaxing, expressing creativity, getting rest or exercise, and feeling fulfilled in their life and relationships.
Finding peace in isolation away from others is rejuvenative for some (me!), while feeling harmony and connection in the web of relationships is most gratifying for others. Finding the self-care activities that recharge your battery optimally can make a world of difference in how you feel day to day, week to week.
In my clinical work I have found one tool in particular that has been helpful for many, a mindfulness practice called letting go, or surrendering. The premise is simple: we honor our feelings by making room for them when they present. We are allowing and accepting of the feeling, no matter what it is. We remain unattached to the thoughts that come up and we wait for the feeling to pass knowing that the one that comes next will be lighter, easier, and more enjoyable (if only just!).
In practice, this may look like setting aside some time to check in with oneself and being allowing of the feelings that come up. Setting a time constraint may make the time more manageable. Once the end of the time is reached we say "okay, that's all the time I have for this feeling right now." In this way we compartmentalize the feeling, both giving it time and space and setting a boundary with how long we will attend to it.
Over time and with practice the accumulated thoughts and feelings begin to fall away and one is left with a quite profound state of inner peace. We become accustomed to mindfully being with our feelings and allowing them to run their course. The implications for this practice are knowing and appreciating a state of peace and calm, one where feelings are let go of freely and creativity can manifest without negativity getting in the way.
Sounds great, right? Give it a try if you're feeling curious, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Best,
JP
