End the year both softly and strong
| A combination very few master |
So it’s been a whirlwind week following my illness. Covid has been and gone quicker than the purple quality street from the tin in our house !
But the aftermath is like an earthquake that keeps on giving.
Exhausted.
A covid coma if you like.
Those daytime naps of mine now back in full swing and on the “non-negotiable list”.
It was the same the last time I had it.
It just left me completely exhausted outside of work, kids, training, the house and of course the extra time pressures preparing for Christmas brings.
As always I pull inspiration for my newsletters from my own life & training and the many chats I have with clients.
Todays newsletter was actually inspired by our group run tonight.
Everyone i speak to is feeling the exhaustion this year, more so than any other year and it brought my attention to a fabulous post on social media from a past client.
It resonated.
And I think it will with you too.
“A gentle reminder about why you are utterly exhausted…
No one I know began this year on a full tank. Given the vicious onslaught of the previous two years (let’s just call it what it was) most of us dragged ourselves across the finish line of 2021… frazzled, spent, running on aged adrenaline fumes…
We crawled into 2022 still carrying shock, trauma, grief, heaviness, disbelief… The memories of a surreal existence…
And then it began… The fastest hurricane year we could ever have imagined. Whether we have consciously processed it or not, this has been a year of more pressure, more stress, and a race to “catch up” in all departments… Every. Single. One. Work, school, sports, relationships, life…
Though not intentionally aware, perhaps hopeful that the busier we are, the more readily we will forget… the more easily we will undo the emotional tangle… the more permanently we will wipe away the scarring wounds…
We can’t.
And attempts to re-create some semblance of “normal” on steroids while disregarding that for almost two years our sympathetic nervous systems were on full alert, has left our collective mental health in tatters. Our children and teens are not exempt. The natural byproduct of fighting a hurricane is complete and utter exhaustion…
So before you begin questioning the absolutely depleted and wrung-dry state you are in- Pause. Breathe. Remind yourself of who you are and what you have endured. And then remind yourself of what you have overcome.
Despite it all, you’re still going. (Even on the days you stumble and find yourself face down in a pile of dirt).
Understanding brings compassion…
Most of the world’s citizens are in need of a little extra TLC at the moment. Most are donning invisible “Handle with care” posters around their necks and “Fragile” tattoos on their bodies…
Instead of racing to the finish line of this year, tread gently. Go slowly.
Amidst the chaos, find small pockets of silence. Find compassion. Allow the healing. And most of all… Be kind. There’s no human being on earth who couldn’t use just a little bit more of the healing salve of kindness.
With love ??
Powerful and poignant words of insight by
Naomi Holdt – Psychologist and Speaker”
I’ve not adapted this, it doesn’t need my spin on it, in fact it reads just beautifully.
These words have made me even more glad I booked a weekend restorative retreat this coming weekend.
Happy that for once I may just end the year stronger for ending it softly, going slower and taking that time out to rest and be kind to myself so that I can end the year strong and the best version of me for my family, friends and clients.
So here’s to letting these words soak in, appreciating what we have all gone through over the last few years, slowing down, going softly so we can end the year strong.
Let’s see if I’ve managed to “master” this difficult balance this year.
Love
Karen and The Team