Open The Door
I felt called this month to write about what’s true for me and what a lot of people in my community are talking about. We are in a time when the constant is change, at its best, and chaos and overwhelm, at its worst. Here are a few things, at times like these, I’m reliably going to do. (Not in any particular order!)
Want to runaway (and look at sunny exotic locations online to escape to)
Diminish impact & consequence
Seek pleasure & joy
Crave REAL connection in all directions—Self, others & Nature
Write about it
And I know I Am not alone. So let’s do this together—cry out, feel despair, find inspiration, create new visions and neural pathways, and most importantly remind ourselves this is what we do as humans.
We are wired for change and chaos, just like all of our ancestors and generations yet to come (and no that doesn’t mean it’s good or we like it). We have inherited their stories and their habits, based on real lived experiences. What do we choose to express, to hold onto, to release, to transform. That’s up to us. With enough self-awareness & resources of course.
Some are saying they have lost hope, are afraid for themselves or their neighbors. Some are looking to blame, move, cut themselves off or are feeling numb and overwhelmed. Some are talking about the political change, some are talking about cancer, others are describing brain fog, depression or grief. And it’s true that the collective energy impacts us all.
What I have to offer you, dear community, is this practice.
It is what I do and have learned to do—so as not to keep toxic shit backed up on the inside wreaking all kinds of havoc. To avoid closing down my vital heart and the pathway to kindness, love and acceptance. What I absolutely know to be true is that the remedy, the answers and the healing is always on the other side of feeling.
So grab your boxing gloves, a box of tissues, a journal, art supplies, cookies, etc.
An Embodied Practice: Open The Door
(Meaning, get in your body and feel what’s here)
Space: Make a nest, where you feel safe, and crack the window just enough to let the internal “storm” blow in and then out. (Stock with treats, blankets and nest-like things)
Intention: Sit or lie down and let yourself know this is the time and space to feel what’s real: Surrender to the inner storm: let it rattle your bones, turn over the furniture, bring everything that’s known into question.
Action in 2 Parts:
Part I: Get your body involved; dance, drum, shake, pace, bend, release, express. Put on music that evokes your feelings & write, draw, sing, emote. Ride currents of anger, sorrow, rage or fear.
Part 2: When it feels a bit calmer, come to stillness, feel the body now, sit or lie down to meditate, ride the breath, be reminded you CAN do this. Rest in this stillness for enough time to really feel what the “other side” feels like.
Commit to something. This seems to be the advice of current times. Yes! But let me add, commit to yourself first. Commit to creating pathways through by having the courage to sit with what’s here.
Your emotional-spiritual-physical-mental-energetic-relational-badass-wise self is calling. How do you answer?
Please also know that if you feel personally threatened, at risk of harm, or perceive that feeling your feels will sink the ship of your life—reach out for help. Don’t do this alone. There are resources, people who care. The way out is through.
Now more than ever, we need connection. I say this as a white-middle class-midlife woman, who has all she needs in every direction. I only know what I can know through my lived experience, but what adds so much value in my life is also knowing yours. Reach out, share your truth with me, let’s create connection everywhere and see what happens!
Join me:
Wednesdays for a FREE online practice
Share your story with my podcast partner Dorrinda and I (see below for deets)
Check out this offering (if you’re a woman in a time of transition): “Discover Your Truth: The Woman’s Midlife Experience!” starts this Sunday and we have 2 spots left!!
Or reach out for a meetup—I absolutely love to meet new people over a good cup of local coffee.
Yours Truly, (and menopausally—is it Hot in here, where am I?)
Kari