Really good article on taking positive action. The four steps: 1) envision, 2) decide, 3) keep at it, and 4) recalibrate.
Somehow, when we feel anxious or overwhelmed, those seem like obstacles even more than they seem like a path. In those times, we need to first quiet our limbic survival brain so that the fog clears and the path becomes visible.
I'd love to hear from everyone reading this note. How do you find equanimity, joy, curiousity, or peace when you start out feeling anxious or overwhelmed? What works for you?
Thank you for adding that comment about the neuroscience. (And thankfully you've written the perfect handbook for the quieting those anxious, swirling thoughts. For such a time as this!) I loved your OG article, and am grateful you found value here in mine! 💛
And to answer your wonderful question >>> nature, walks or movement of some kind, and always, always 🐶. It also helps me to picture a literal stop sign in my brain to interrupt the ruminating cycles. But, I find that it's not enough. I have to give me BODY something to do, so that my brain can break free of the loop.
"What is mine to do" is a beautiful question. I find it especially important -and challenging - for Moms. Because the answer isn't what we want it to be.
What we want is to make everything smooth for our kids. No pain, no failure, no heartbreak. That isn't ours to do. We can trust - ourselves and them - give age appropriate support (kiss, band-aid, help studying, use of the car) and practice our own steadiness through the turbulence.
It's never easy but can be meaningful and, in the long run (not always evident right away) truly helpful.
Really good article on taking positive action. The four steps: 1) envision, 2) decide, 3) keep at it, and 4) recalibrate.
Somehow, when we feel anxious or overwhelmed, those seem like obstacles even more than they seem like a path. In those times, we need to first quiet our limbic survival brain so that the fog clears and the path becomes visible.
I'd love to hear from everyone reading this note. How do you find equanimity, joy, curiousity, or peace when you start out feeling anxious or overwhelmed? What works for you?
Thank you for adding that comment about the neuroscience. (And thankfully you've written the perfect handbook for the quieting those anxious, swirling thoughts. For such a time as this!) I loved your OG article, and am grateful you found value here in mine! 💛
And to answer your wonderful question >>> nature, walks or movement of some kind, and always, always 🐶. It also helps me to picture a literal stop sign in my brain to interrupt the ruminating cycles. But, I find that it's not enough. I have to give me BODY something to do, so that my brain can break free of the loop.
And an excellent quote as inspiration. Written like a writer! 😉
"What is mine to do" is a beautiful question. I find it especially important -and challenging - for Moms. Because the answer isn't what we want it to be.
What we want is to make everything smooth for our kids. No pain, no failure, no heartbreak. That isn't ours to do. We can trust - ourselves and them - give age appropriate support (kiss, band-aid, help studying, use of the car) and practice our own steadiness through the turbulence.
It's never easy but can be meaningful and, in the long run (not always evident right away) truly helpful.