It's a potent time of year, isn't it?
As we sat down to write this to you we couldn't decide which thread to follow because there are just so many enervating topics in the air at the moment.
So what we're doing instead is a little guided journey with a "choose your own adventure" element.
If this appeals to you, go ahead and follow the prompts and give yourself a juicy healing.
Our hope is that you'll:
Be stirred.
Feel some feelings.
Get support.
Feel better/lighter and/or have more clarity.
Ready?
Step 1: Choose one starting prompt and free-write on this topic. (6+ minutes)
(Write without boundaries, allowing for exploration that is not tied down by facts. Feel free to be petty, exaggerative, or dramatic)
Option 1: What does the color yellow mean to you? What does it bring up? What role has it played throughout your personal history?
Option 2: Is there a thin veil between you and something else? What's on the other side of that veil? Why is it important to you?
Option 3: If the last five years of your life were a movie... what's the arc? Who are the heroes? Are there villains? What is the hidden (or not-so-hidden) theme?
Set your timer for 6 minutes and don't pick up your pen until it dings.
Go!
Step 2: Notice and Name the feelings present after your free-write. (3+ minutes)
(you can write down your responses to the following questions)
Are you having feelings? It would be very expected and normal, if so. Encourage them to surface.
What feelings are active? Use this list if needed. Write down the names of them.
Close your eyes and tune into the feeling that is "asking" for more attention. What is that feeling?
Set your timer for at least 3 minutes and keep exploring until it dings.
Step 3: Get in deeper touch with that particular feeling. (4+ minutes)
(You can put down your pen and close your eyes for this part...)
What is the feeling like? Write down any physical sensations associated with the feeling.
Does the feeling have a color, or texture, or temperature?
Does the feeling have words or intentions?
Keep breathing and noting the qualities of this particular feeling without trying to change it.
Set your timer for at least 4 minutes and keep investigating and watching the feeling until it dings.
Step 4: Offer yourself empathy for this feeling. (3+ minutes)
(Make sure to write this part down!)
Using your own name, reassure yourself, in writing, that this feeling is so normal. "This feeling is so normal considering what you're describing."
Using your own name, reassure yourself, in writing, that this makes so much sense. "This feeling makes so much sense!"
Using your own name, reassure yourself, in writing, that you really understand this feeling. "I totally understand this feeling coming up for you. I really get it."
Set your timer for at least 3 minutes and keep writing phrases like this (even if you have to repeat some) until it dings.
Step 5: Meet one of the needs around this topic/feeling. (4+ minutes)
Using this list, what is the top need that you have around this feeling or the prompt that you started with?
What is an easy way that you can meet this need, right now, without involving anyone else?
Look for ways to meet this need that are immediate and direct.
If you need help brainstorming ways to meet your need, just reply to this email!
Set your timer for at least 4 minutes and find an easy, obvious way to meet this need.
Et voila!
If you followed the prompts, 20 minutes later, you're in a pretty different head and body space, right?
How was that for you?
Let us know, because we'd love to hear about you and your experience!