Do you ever experience days where all the coping strategies in the world don’t seem to light a candle to your experience ?  What do you do in those moments?

Your anxiety is through the roof, and no matter how hard you try to focus on your breath, replace your negative thoughts, practice grounding or relaxation: You’re still anxious as hell?

You wake up in a fog, you are sluggish , and kind of feeling apathetic. Again, you’ve tried all the coping skills, and some are just not coming to mind. Your funk is just hanging out. What do you do?

If we can be super honest with ourselves, and meet this experience with openness : Not judging ourselves for being where we are, we will find that the issue is: We wish we didn’t feel this way.

And even more so, we will find, that our mind is telling us that if we sit and think on it long enough, we will find a way out.

When I learned that each moment is neutral, and it is my perception of what is happening that brings suffering. It became easier to sit with.

Sometimes , life is painful. Sometimes life is filled with joy and excitement. Both experiences are neither good or bad. But it is when we hang on to them, wish we could change them, or even wish that they would stay that we begin to experience suffering.

The hard truth is: I cannot control anything outside of my response to people and my actions. For the longest, I tried really hard to prove that wrong. But I eventually gave up because I couldn’t do it.

But, Also, as much as we try, sometimes we just feel the hurt, pain, and sadness of an experience. The more we fight it, the longer it lasts. But if we accept that: Today, you may feel lonely, and that is making you sad, or angry, or touchy, or stand-of-ish, that is okay. You may be able to find the truth: that you are worth connection, friendship. Or that you are competent, doing what you are supposed to do. And those feelings may still choose to hang out. That is okay.

I think that is the difference between honoring your experience and dwelling on a situation: Honoring your experience means allowing your feelings to stay without letting them dictate your day.

 

What is your experience today?

How are you taking care of yourself?

Can you honor your experience without letting it dictate your day?

Do you need to reach out to someone?

 

Be encouraged,

Rachael