I'm embracing these 2 words during COVID-19
The world has been so much lately.
And it can be really overwhelming - the flood of news, loss, financial concerns, grief, anxiety over the future. It goes on and on.
I’ve been so lucky to be able to work from home, continuing to work with my clients and make a small impact on my corner of the world. To have work and to feel secure (enough) in this time is a privilege and I know it.
But the “shoulds” are really strong -- and I know you probably feel them too.
I should work out more.
I shouldn’t go to bed so late.
I should not be eating that ice cream.
I should be eating more vegetables.
Over the weekend I started feeling really overwhelmed. I have so many self-care tools I can use, but none of them were quite feeling right.
So as I was laying on my yoga mat, internally grumbling my way through a Youtube yoga video, wondering what to do in that moment and how to cope with the overwhelm, when these two words came to me.
(I’m pretty sure the video prompted some internal reflection but I can’t remember what it was...or even which yoga video it was!)
Presence. Permission.
So I finished the video - grumbling or not, it did help me feel more present with my body and my breath.
And then I watched Will & Grace reruns while coloring, because I needed permission to just lose myself in ridiculous humor and the ease of watercolor tip markers.
Elegant? Not at all. Did it take away my concerns and fears? No.
But it did lessen them a bit, even if just for the moment. It allowed me to tend to myself.
About the Author
Maya is a music therapist and psychotherapist in NYC and online throughout New York State. She specializes in helping women with anxiety, childhood/intergenerational trauma and those who are highly sensitive (HSP) feel good enough, learn how to express their feelings without overwhelm, and show up in calm and confident ways in their work and relationships.
If you’re interested in working with Maya, you can learn more here or schedule your free phone consultation here.
You don’t have to stay stuck - it’s time to reclaim your rhythm.