When I was going through my own separation, surrounded by conflict, stress, crisis and feeling totally overwhelmed, I found the following three little practices helpful in nurturing and starting to heal myself. I hope you try them out if you have not already discovered them!
1. A gift for your MIND:
Create a dream, vision or intention board.
Open yourself up to future possibilities that are available to you by creating a board or scrapbook to gather your dreams of the future and keep it where you will see it every day. Find images, quotes, colours you love, old pictures of yourself laughing as a child, whatever you love looking at and want to find in your future. I like to change things constantly, so magnets or pushpins worked well for creating and maintaining my board.
I also find writing and posting my short and long-term goals and intentions on this board inspiring. Seeing your intended life in these images and quotes daily is very powerful as it gives you both hope and direction.
2. A gift for your BODY:
Schedule regular preventative maintenance for YOU.
Looking after yourself is so important at any point in your life, but when you add extra stress and emotional issues it becomes critical. Think about your body as a car that must get you where you want to go and last for your entire life. Do regular maintenance and avoid expensive and unplanned repairs. Regular or preventative maintenance, like checking your oil, takes less time and less money in the long run than replacing a seized engine when the oil runs dry! Creating good habits and regular routines to maintain your health and well-being will keep your life running better now and in the future.
Sleep, hydration, nutrition, exercise, and relaxation are all so important for your health. Try to improve these things with small routines, one at a time, with some small steps towards your self-care goals. Put aside the time you need on your schedule and book yourself in! Giving your body this extra care can make a big difference in how you feel and dramatically help increase your energy level and ability to cope. Be kind to your body and good to yourself. The benefits of scheduled ‘you’ time will add up and be substantial.
3. A gift for your SPIRIT:
Start journaling.
Journal with no filters! Free your thoughts and your emotions. Let your mind go where it will. These unleashed thoughts will help clarify and organize your thinking. I wrote lovely lists of all kinds of lovely and horrible things like words my ex-husband said to me that I never wanted to forget.
Allow your emotions to be with you during journaling. Feel how you feel, do not label what you feel, just stay present and allow the release of some emotional energy. Write down all your dreams, all your annoyances, all of your successes, all your failures and all your wants. Using your journal to vent the good and bad will lead you to a path of more insight into yourself.
Try to sit down with a pen at least 10 minutes a day if you can. Schedule some journaling in your daily routine. Understanding your thoughts and feelings creates more freedom and contentment.
Do keep this private! This can be fun to look back at, admire the changes and potentially gain insight, but it can also be satisfying to burn or bury when you are through your current difficulties and ready to forgive and feel free.
If you want help, please contact me and we can talk about the possibilities. I offer a simple discovery or strategy session, at no cost or obligation to you.
The New Year is full of possibilities! Carpe Diem! Seize the day!
If you would like to discuss divorce coaching and how it could benefit you please contact me.
I do offer a strategy session.
Pam
Pam Mirehouse
The Divorce Coach in Dundas
Copyright © 2016 Pam Mirehouse
Images © Ozerina / Nadezda_Grapes / cboswell – all from depositphotos
I’ve tried all of these things at different stages in my life, and although none of them have become regular habits, I can definitely see how regular practice would equip you to deal with whatever type of crisis life throws your way.