Last week for the first time in five years I didn’t get my newsletter out on time. There was too much going on (all good) and I made the decision to follow my own advice and choose self compassion.
Do you remember when I wrote about how things might fall apart when restrictions ease and we are transitioning back to the new workplace or to our new routines? (See this previous blog post A glimmer of hope … and a warning.)
I see it all around me. People are feeling stressed and overwhelmed. I feel it too. It takes extra energy to be out in the world again, especially as we are experiencing the 4th wave of Covid in Canada and around the world.
What do we need right now? As mentioned in this previous post, we need to pay extra attention to self care and to the well-being of the people around us, whether they be our family, friends or employees and team members.
Self care 101 – my top 4 tips
- Take care of your body. Eat nourishing foods (see this post for eating with the seasons) , get plenty of rest and gentle exercise (preferably outdoors).
- Don’t multi-task. Slow down and do one thing at a time. It will help you to feel less scattered. You may notice that you accomplish just as much or more this way.
- Look for moments of joy as you go about your day. When we look for them we are training our brain and body to look for joy and to recognize the feeling. It helps us to ground, to be in the present. When we are looking for joy we see it more. It can help to crowd out the negative feelings. It can be healing.
- Spend time every day (even just 10 minutes) doing something creative. It can be as simple as playing a musical instrument, singing, gardening, an art practice, or dancing. When I spend time with my art (washing fleece, spinning, rug hooking, dyeing fibres) I feel lighter. The enthusiasm and inspiration I feel when I am being creative seems to spill over into other areas of my life. See this post for more about how creativity relates to well-being and resilience.
How can I help you?
Do you need help supporting your team during this post-pandemic transition? At Meryl Cook Engagement by Design I work with teams to raise engagement, relieve anxiety and get out ahead of transitions. Bringing people together to create something lasting and meaningful, while building new skill sets, is at the centre of my process. Connection, purpose and empowerment are outcomes you can expect for your team. Let’s book a short discovery call to discuss how to best support your team.
If you are looking for writing prompts and other resources to connect with your creative self, take a look at my two books. Reach out to me if you’d like some help designing a wallhanging that is a reflection of what you need right now.
