Here we are… week 700 (it feels like) of distancing socially. We could insert a complaint right here, but I’m going to choose to be grateful to be safe and have a home with groceries and the most coveted household item right now, toilet paper. I, probably like most of you, am still adjusting to life as we know it to be today.
Whether you live by yourself or live with others, I think you would agree that this time has made us all slow down and recognize some things about ourselves. Some could be finding out how tired their body really was all this time, while others could be finding additional time to sit with themselves or family since practically everything is cancelled. If we are being honest, this is probably the longest that most of us have sat down and just existed in a long time.
I know during this time it can be so easy to “be bored.” It’s okay to be bored. It’s okay to rest up during this time, but I want to still encourage you to take advantage of this time to get back to “you,” if you feel like it. With the demands associated with being a (insert all the roles you posses) it is so easy to lose yourself. I’m going to ask you a question and I really want you to think about it.
How would you describe yourself without using any roles (i.e. mom, daughter, father, brother, son, your profession, etc.)?
If you got stuck, that’s a sign that it might be time to relearn or learn who you are especially in this moment of life. Just like your self-care needs can change depending on your mood or where you are in life, your personal interests and needs can change at various stages throughout your life.
Self-care demands that you repeatedly choose yourself. Choose yourself today by finding yourself.
If you are up for the challenge of finding yourself in this moment let me help you. Think about the last time you felt like yourself. Where were you? What were you doing? Who was around you? How does that differ from your life now? What ways can you incorporate some of the things that made you feel like yourself then now?
What are some things that you have discovered about yourself during this time? Do you feel lonely with yourself? Do you like being around yourself? What coping skills are you using to deal with this time? What have you had to pivot in your life to adapt to the current times?
If you feel like it, perhaps you can take this time to get back to yourself so when we emerge out of this quarantine you are rested, rejuvenated, refueled and confident in who you are and what fills you (other than all of these safe at home snacks). If you need this time to just rest that is okay. You know what you need in this moment. The act of you accepting, embracing and acting on your needs is self-care in and of itself.
Enjoy this time doing what you need to not only stay safe, but to stay well.
Feel free to comment or send me an email or a message if you would like to share what you have learned thus far about yourself during this time of solace. I would love to hear it.
Be well,