Not the note I wanted to send

This is not the note I wanted to send.

That one’s been sitting open on my desktop, wanting to be sent but not ready.

(It’s alongside three other newsletter outlines that are queued for editing. But it’s not yet their time.)

Here’s what happened.

I kept getting stuck – having pages and pages of ideas, of all of the things I’ve been wanting to write about. I'd managed to draft this one, but the words weren’t quite right and the message wasn’t quite landing in the way I intended.

I was finding myself sitting in front of the computer, getting a bit agitated about finishing the note, and all the things that needed to be DONE and checked off my list.

And I realized that I wasn’t in a good mental space for editing, or staring at the screen for hours on end as I tried to force myself to get all the things done.

I needed my own medicine…

I’m in creation mode – with a whole lot of ideas (in the midst of many other things to do), and lots of creative energy with having just developed and begun a new group program I’m delighted about, preparing a couple of conference presentations, preparing to share about our next round of THRIVE, and getting ready for our next Radical Self-Care Community Retreat.

But the truth is, my brain, body, heart and nervous system needed something else.

A bit of grounding. Some nourishment. To honor my rhythms and give my brain and body some rest.

(I’m having to walk my talk more than ever, and calling myself to a higher standard of integrity around this.)

What I've done instead

So here’s what I've done instead of forcing the newsletter (and a number of other things) that weren’t ready…

- Each day I've done my regular morning yoga and pranayama practice.

- Each day I've walked out in the sunshine.

- I've practiced one of the nervous system practices I teach every day, even when they've "taken away" work time for things that needed my attention.

- I dove into my materials to explore new nervous system healing teachings, and practiced them right away to get them in my body.

- This Sunday (on my son’s request), we took a half day screen sabbath – turned off all screens, put the phone on Do Not Disturb, and played a lot instead – so needed, and delightful! And it was much easier to come back to the things that needed doing after this.

- I've made sure to feed myself nourishing foods and eat when hungry (following my body’s cues).

I've taken 5-10 minute dance breaks (again, following my inner cues).

- I've made time for meaningful, devoted connection with people I care about – whether in person or on the phone.

Why does this matter?

I’m sharing this to be transparent and authentic about my process – and to encourage you to tend to your beautiful self a little more.

It is much easier to be present (or productive) with our work, our loved ones, our creative endeavors, when we tend first to our nervous systems, bodies, minds and hearts.

The need to give attention to all of the things that keep me well doesn’t stop because I teach and coach on them and support others in their healing.

If anything, I am having to step it up more as I grow in my offerings.

The more you do, and the more you hold (whether clients, patients, students, leadership, projects, responsibilities) the more you need to have your nervous system regulated and your self-care intact.

Want to join me? (Please do.)

Choose one thing that involves your own self-care, self-nourishment, nervous system healing.

One simple step that you can do to take care of yourself a little more than you already do.

Keep it simple and short (always).

And do it regularly, as well as when your body/ mind / spirit are asking for it (and please, before your body is screaming at you for it).

Let's Practice! Join for self-care in community

And if you’d like to do this in community, our next Radical Self-Care Community Retreat will include healing by touching into and sourcing from the energetics of love (in ways you may not have explored before...).

Retreat is a cozy, connected, nourishing and safe space to exhale, tune in to your body/mind/heart/spirit, learn, practice, heal, and be held in community as you do your own self-care, healing and connection.

Here you’re lovingly accountable to community for showing up for your own well-being (which is one way to stay accountable to ourselves).

In this month promoted as one of love and connection, in often a pretty material way, I encourage you to take the steps above, or join in retreat, for meaningful connection with yourself and others, in a way that will leave you way more filled up than chocolates and flowers can (though chocolates and flowers are lovely!).

And better able to give to the world in the ways you do, because you’ve been tended to.

The world needs you well.

(And your beautiful heart, too.)

With love and blessings,

Kelly

p.s. With that out of the way, my next newsletter will be the one that’s been wanting to be written ;).