Before I got out of bed this morning, I screamed.
It’s one of the many tools that I use to keep myself sane, not only during these times, but always.
And, here’s the thing. Now, more than ever, we must find ways to cope. We must find ways to stay sane. We must find ways to not let our outer circumstances take control of our reality.
In addition to screaming, here’s what I recommend.
1.Be where you are.
In addition to screaming, here’s what I recommend.
This morning when I woke up, I was in the feeling of the chaos. If I chose to get out of bed before I felt this, I would have just created more chaos in my day.
So, instead, I felt it.
I screamed and shook my body. (I live in an apartment complex, so I actually have a way to scream that creates the same effect as screaming without making any noise.) And, damn, does it feel good.
That being said, it’s important you take the time to be where you are, connect to yourself and feel what you’re feeling. I have a video on YouTube that talks about how to feel your feelings in depth, but whether it’s for one minute or longer, you will notice a shift. Plus, it will help you to become more present, which leads me to #2.
2.Find ways to be in the moment.
What creates anxiety is living in the past or the future.
Instead, can you find ways to be present?
For me, that involves getting out into nature. But, whether it’s hiking or something else, any activities that can redirect your energy and put you into the present moment are important when we are waiting.
In addition to being in nature, some of my favorites include:
- Playing with children – Kids are always super present and they remind us of what’s really important, so spending time with them can be a wonderful gift to bring us back into the present moment.
- Meditation – Breath is a great way to get into the present moment, so if you’re struggling right now, meditation can be super helpful. Personally, I love guided meditations, as these can support us in guiding our thoughts. Nowadays, there are a ton of apps with these, including the Calm app, a personal favorite.
- Self-care – Whether it’s taking a bath, reading a good book or watching your favorite show, self-care is crucial right now. With this, make sure you’re scheduling this in your day, especially now.
- Creativity – Finding creative outlets, whether it’s writing (or journaling), art or something else, is key right now. Personally, I find myself writing a lot, and this always helps me to ground and center. With this, if you can allow for the flow, without having to do it one “right way,” creating can be liberating and definitely worth a try during these trying times.
- Gratitude – Having gratitude, not only for what is, but for what’s to come, is so important and a main step to putting us back in the present moment. I love to do this at the beginning and end of my days, but as long as you’re doing it, there is no wrong way.
- Work – While you may not love your job, being able to focus on and immerse yourself in your work can be a great support, especially right now. Whether it’s a project, task or something else, work can be a great way to be in the moment, and even better, if it’s work that’s meaningful to you.
3.Recognize you alone are in control of your reality.
This last one is crucial.
While it can be super easy to let politics overtake how we feel, recognizing that you, and you alone, are the only person in charge of your reality, and that you get choose how you show up, is necessary, especially right now.
Understand that this includes every aspect of your life, whether it’s how you feel, what you are doing with your life, and even, how much money you are making.
As part of this, it’s important you take time to notice how you’re spending your energy and if how you’re spending your energy makes you feel good.
While we want to stay up-to-date, checking the news or social media constantly can be anxiety-producing. That being said, when this is the case, it’s vital we manage this, and step away from our screens.
To close, I’ll leave you with the knowing, at some point, as it always does, that the waiting must come to an end as well as a quote from Plato:
“Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.”