A very deep sadness was with me and its presence brought me a little joy.
For the first time in a long while, I’ve been able to sit with feelings of sadness without attempting to flee. In the past, I would busy myself with distractions. This time, I chose to comfort myself and make room for the pain caused by an emotional wound. The sadness needed to be acknowledged, and I needed to be comforted.
What does that look like for me?
- I continued to take care of myself. When the offense happened, I instantly made a decision to prioritize myself over the pain. I kept to my normal plans for the day. I got my B12 shot. I sat with a friend at the coffee shop. I went for a walk. The goal was to show myself that everything was okay and that I could continue with life as normal.
- I turned to my happy list and did things that sparked joy and reminded me of who I am. Some things on my list include eating a good meal, dancing, listening to Marie Dahlstrom, and writing.
- I decided to be thankful. Out of the blue, someone I respect told me that every aspect of my life is beautiful. I thanked them and the Universe for those kind words in the midst of this season.
I learned the value of being intentional about caring for yourself after coming out of a very dark place. The plus side to that struggle was that I learned how to come back to myself and emerge from the darkness. I hope that as you heal, as you move, and as you face unexpected hardships, you find the glimmers that prove you are coming alive out of the darkness.
How do you come back to yourself during seasons of despair?
What things would you put on your happy list?
I’d love to know!
Written by Joyce Vaughn. To subscribe visit: https://open.substack.com/pub/inmypresentstate