On Cultivating Resilience
My spring has been necessarily slow. I’ve taken a break from social media ( and most types of social!) in an attempt to clear the heaviness I’ve been carrying.
It’s not anything more than everyday overwhelm during pandemic times with some added stressors sprinkled on top. Though, I’ve found that my reserves of get up and keep going (what i’m calling it these days) are non existent.
In my life and parent travels I’ve picked up some information about resilience that I though I’d dust off and put to use and that maybe you’d like to hear it too.
The following are three methods that I’m using to allow myself some breathing space.
I. To ‘parent’ myself with the same love, patience and intention that I parent my children with, by :
not shaming, alarming or otherwise making myself feel separate as a self inflicted punishment. Speaking kindly to myself allows me to feel safe and that is where resilience resides.
II. When difficult feelings emerge ( anxiety, sadness, anger etc.) as they always, eventually will, I’ll take 90 seconds to allow them to move through me
This sounds itchy in the moment yet sitting with the emotion,
actually naming it, and
using curiosity to find the cause without judgement or denial allows for the emotion to be processed and let go
III. Carving out time for the creativity I've been dreaming of (for me this is sewing a jumpsuit!)
This is a physical way to integrate the emotional, intellectual and spiritual.
“Creativity embeds knowledge so that it can become practice. We move what we’re learning from our heads to our hearts through our hands. We are born makers, and creativity is the ultimate act of integration — it is how we fold our experiences into our being… The Asaro tribe of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea has a beautiful saying: “Knowledge is only a rumor until it lives in the muscle.”” Brene Brown
This is by no means exhaustive, but a simple way for me to ground when i’m feeling overwhelmed or heavy. I’m also not a counsellor, if you’re having trouble coping and feel the need to reach out to one, I know some amazing counsellors here in Vancouver that I would happily refer you to.
If you need support now the following is from the Canadian Mental Health Association in BC;
Adults - Mental Health Support Line: Call 310-6789 (no area code). This number will connect you to your local BC crisis line without a wait or busy signal, 24 hours a day. Crisis line workers are there to listen and support you as well as refer you to community resources.
Kid’s Help Phone: Visit kidshelpphone.ca or call 1-800-668-6868. For kids and teens (ages 20 and under), professional counsellors are available to help, 24 hours a day. It’s free, confidential and anonymous.
Youth in BC: Visit youthinbc.com to chat online with a crisis responder. It’s available from noon to 1:00am every day.
Seniors’ Distress Line: Call 604-872-1234 to talk with a crisis responder. It’s available 24/7. This is also available to anyone who is concerned about an older adult.
For People who use Substances - Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service: Call 1-800-663-1441 (604-660-9382 in the Lower Mainland) for information about substance use treatments or supports in your area.
Sending love…
