In my recent post Nowhere to Run, I shared a bit about my journey to learning how to manage my emotions through movement. Physical movement, running in particular, became my tool of choice to manage big emotions and reduce stress. Today, I will share the next leg of that journey which is learning how to manage when movement isn’t an option or no longer enough.
Nowhere to Run: Managing Emotions with Movement
Even more than the physical benefits, I noticed that running provided me with mental and emotional benefits. If I was stressed or angry or sad, I always felt better after a run. I used to say, “running is my therapy” and laugh as though it was a joke, but truly it wasn’t. Running was keeping me sane during some of the most difficult times of my life. And the harder life got, the more I ran.
Perspective, Shooting Stars and Comets
When life feels hard, you might find yourself caught up looking at things from a singular perspective, one that you haven’t questioned, the popular perspective. Shifting your perspective can make it feel even harder, but in the process, you might catch a glimpse of something that will help you keep looking.
Seasons of Change
t felt like July and August just flew by for me this year, and as I write this, September 1st has arrived. Although the autumnal equinox is still 22 days away, fall is in the air. Now, since I live in Central Florida, you have to take that last statement with a grain of salt. Fall isn’t literally in the air here until sometime in November, if we’re lucky.
Beyond Belief, Part One
I used to admire others who I viewed as having strong belief systems. You may know someone like this. They know exactly what they believe and can articulate the whats, whys and hows ever so succinctly. While I, on the other hand, would struggle to create a list of my top 10 beliefs, unless they were something most people would agree were true.
Time Is on my side, yes, it is.
As someone who is learning how to navigate life with chronic illness, time has taken on a new meaning for me. What I’ve discovered is that my energy stays pretty high throughout the morning hours, then wanes in the afternoons. And by wanes, I mean there are times when I feel attached to the couch by some unseen gravitational force.
Gratitude at Unexpected Moments
When I think of gratitude, the first thing I envision is a gratitude journal, some sort of intentional daily practice or maybe even the act of expressing gratitude to someone. What I don’t normally think of is gratitude happening TO me and that’s exactly what’s happened a few evenings ago.
Stuck: Life Lessons from my Roomba
That’s me too. Stubborn. Not listening or not believing when I’m getting a clear message that “this room is not for me”. I have to say, I’m pretty darn tenacious, almost to a fault. I will keep trying until the door is closed, locked and deadbolted.
Good Enough: In Search of Reassurance
I just hate this insecurity inside me that won’t seem to go away. I haven’t been that little girl in decades, but when I even get a whiff of disapproval or rejection, she comes roaring back, demanding that someone reassure her and tell her that’s she’s being good. It just feels so damn needy.
Fairness Follies: Candy Bars and Injustice
When my brother and I were little, fairness was very important to us too. And when I say “fairness”, I don’t mean we wandered through our neighborhood rectifying injustices. I mean, everything we did included a measure to make sure we each got our fair share.