Always look back and reflect on how far you have come, not focusing on what you possibly haven’t achieved or that “to-do list”!
Including the path it took to get there.
My body used to cripple under stress. I spent many winters sick off and on multiple times. Stress was a huge factor. My immune system was quite weak. My health also not my top priority. I would almost freeze and be unable to move forward. That was then, this is now.
In the past 6 weeks alot has shifted in our life. Personally and professionally. There are times in life when you literally have zero control and are forced to go with the flow and navigate to strength.
The old me 5+ years ago, in these past 6 weeks I would have been an emotional and physical mess. Straight up we have had some very stressful moments, I have felt every kind of emotion I could have. That affected not just us at home, but for both of us at work as well. Exactly 6 weeks ago today.
And yet, so much has shifted.
With the current restrictions on top of my husbands accident, I haven’t been “pushed” like this in a lot of years.
I’ve been pushed to grow, alot. Pushed to step up in a very big way. To be ok with the unknown, to be ok with things outside of my control, to trust.
Admittedly there has been extra strain because we are both personal and professional. My husband, along with the rest of our team work together, collectively. I am so completely grateful for each and everyone of them. The compassion and understanding has been so supportive.
As I was standing in our kitchen preparing dinner tonight, it dawned on me.
If this was 5+ years ago, at this moment with what all has gone on, I wouldn’t be healthy. Straight up, I wouldn’t be. Given our ups and downs the past 6 weeks, I without a doubt wouldn’t be able to sign in everyday to say I am healthy to work.
This was a beautiful revelation. Once in a life of go, go, go, not really listening to my body, heart or soul, now forced to slow even more, spend alot more time indoors as my husband heals and as the cold weather is upon us.
Rather than allow the sleeping dragon to wake and take complete control, I lean into the feelings, allow myself to feel them and continue moving with compassion and understanding. Also important to encourage our kids to do the same, lean into those feelings and actually FEEL them, so they can be processed in our body and mind, vs repressing. Continue pushing forward. Honoring my emotional and physical health. Knowing it’s ok to lean in, it’s ok to honor my need for downtime, it’s perfectly ok to have breakfast or grilled cheese for dinner!
I was feeling a bit stagnant, not long before my husband fell. I remember thinking multiple times that I just couldn’t get myself “going”, like I did “before”, but I didn’t shift forward. Sometimes life gives us this gentle nudge. A reminder of what and who is really important. Because the truth of the matter is, “before”, I may have been more productive BUT I honestly wasn’t honoring or allowing myself to FEEL my feelings!
Even “simple” things like making dinner, could throw me off depending on the situation (aka stresses), thinking of making dinner with multiple steps and dishes, the old me would make every excuse in the book and then end up saying F it, just order something or grab those boxes in the freezer (ex. Boxed processed chicken fingers) and then park myself on the couch.
Tonight, I leaned into our dinner, I embraced the process. While our son helped my husband, our daughter gave me a hand in the kitchen. I leaned in and created our home made GF chicken parmesan with fettuccine alfredo and ceasar salad! Yum! Normally I would make every excuse in the book, because of the “process”. I’ve found the best help is not focusing on the time. At all. Being aware of what time it is, yes, but in a constructive way setting timers and going with the flow. Vs focusing on the time or “everything that I need to do” and allowing that to shift and increase anxiety, that’s when the “I don’t have time” worries can flow in. Combat that with just doing, and there will be time, there will be more than enough time!
One of my best tips, the timer. As I was creating the meal, I began thinking of how I have shifted and how proud I was of myself. I wanted to sit down and just write, I find so much comfort in writing, allowing my words to flow and honor my feelings. Once I got dinner IN the oven, I had 10 minutes before the next step of the process, that was my time to sit and begin writing. Words and photos are so impactful for me. Especially when I can SEE the shift!
I share this because at this time in 2020 our mental health (and for many, physical health as well) has been negatively affected, no matter who you are, and the government continues to push mad fear, which is so very harmful to our health.
This year has also provided awesome learning lessons with our health and happiness for our kids, we all learn with actions and consequences. Like connecting the dots from, I ate (or drank) this and now feel like this… is it related?! Ah the Joy’s that can come with emotional eating!
I encourage and have consciously been using oils a LOT more in our home. Pull myself out of my head and back into my body. I love how these oils can honestly shift our health, cleanse the air and smell awesome! It’s what our health and homes need right now! Natural health. I am meditating, supporting my body with other natural holistic options like herbs and vitamins. Boosting my immune system. Leaning in and feeling the feelings.
The past 6 weeks, especially, going from two very involved individuals in the business and our home and family life, to literally, going with the flow and doing what I can. Appreciating more home time and embracing all that we have created, together.
I am proud of the new me. I am proud of following my heart over 6 years ago to seek out the missing link to our healthy home, and to lean into the experience, whatever that may be!
Our diffuser blend tonight, I literally did not know what oils to pick… so I closed my eyes and selected off our wall.
- Citrus Bliss – Creativity
- Geranium – Love and Trust
- Petitgrain – Ancestry
Our home was filled with a beautiful scent that also assisted in shifting our moods 🙏💕
Your Life As Art Essentials 