Life is full of adjustments. The only thing that is certain is change, right? When the pandemic started it was a bit tough getting used to the new norm. Now, as we begin to reintegrate into our “old” routine with modifications, I’m finding it to be just as challenging. I had gotten into a really good routine taking care of the house, the kids, homeschooling, and getting things done. I was in charge of my household and keeping things running smoothly. I felt my stress level decrease as I was solely focusing on one thing and doing it well. I was a wife and a mom. Yes, I was also the maid and the cleaner and cook, though my husband did help with the cooking.
Then I returned to work. I absolutely, positively love what I do. I love the people, I love the work, and I love the peacefulness of the work I do, but it was an additional task to the routine that I had established over the last 6 weeks. This threw me off as much as beginning to homeschool my girls. So, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and frustrated, which equates to crabby, last week.
This week already feels better. I reminded myself that the last 6-7 weeks are not the norm. We are not going to be at home all the time forever. My kids will eventually return to school/daycare. My husband will eventually go into the office again. Yes, things will be different as in the time of this huge shift we have all realized a lot more about what makes us happy and what our own needs are, but as you reintegrate back into your previous routine, remember that the last 6-7 weeks were not the future norm.
I share this also because we need to remember that we will be able to shake hands, hug, and be close to each other at some point. We will be able to gather with friends and family in our home or their home at some point. We will be able to go into public places without fear of getting sick. We have learned how quickly germs can spread. We have learned what to do to keep those germs from spreading ie: wash your hands frequently, don’t touch your face, and cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze. We will all be more diligent about not spreading germs so hopefully, there will also be a drastic decrease in the spread of lots of other germs like the flu and colds. That will be the new norm, not social distancing forever. We will eventually return to our routines.
For those of you like me returning to work after having been off, you may find this difficult. It’s like the time change. No one likes the time change, it’s rough, but eventually, we get back into the swing of things. Adjustments come easiest when we understand our emotions and their cause and remind ourselves that nothing is forever except change. We must go with the flow.
As the caterpillar once viewed the world from the ground up, then rested and transformed in a cocoon, you now have the opportunity to emerge, spread your wings, and see the world from up high. You have shifted and so has your perspective. You cannot return to being a caterpillar so spread your wings and take flight.
“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails”. William Arthur Ward
Voyage to HEAL Weekly Task
Stretch: Trunk rotation in sitting or lying down. Please watch the video for variations to support you while completing the trunk rotation stretch. Remember to do both sides and hold it until you feel a shift physically or mentally.
Exercise: Raise your arms overhead, with your core engaged rotate right and left counting to 20. Breathe as you are doing this exercise. Try to do this at least 3x/day or after every time you go to the bathroom.
Habitual Change: Turn your head the opposite way you normally would when going to sleep.
Perspective Enlightenment: I adjust to change as part of life and allow it to be easy.
The meditation from week 8, I am enough, is still recommended for this week as is week 4, Vows of Armor. Both of these meditations shift your mind to believing in yourself and not letting negative self-talk pull you down by thinking that you can’t do something. You can also watch the Eye Movement Desensitizing and Reprocessing (EMDR) video found on my YouTube page Jocelyn Metzger, click here to watch, as you talk to yourself about your feelings. The dot moving from right to left helps to bring you to thinking with your higher-level brain and out of negative self-talk.
“It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change. “ Charles Darwin
Godspeed on your Voyage to HEAL.
Love,
Jocelyn