I’m with you on wanting to focus on HOPE this month! thank you for bringing that into my orbit! I appreciate the resources you’ve gathered 🩷 I’ve noticed in the last few weeks, especially after seeing Wicked, how much I’ve been inspired to art - in all forms. I have such a thirst for it right now. I’m realizing that it’s because it’s connecting me to feeling joy and hopeful! I’ve never felt more grateful for artists and their art right now.
Thanks, Vicki! I resonated a lot with your article. I'm a Russ Harris ACT fan ;-) I like to watch the video explanations and recap the main points each year. They're SO simple and easy to understand and wrap my head around. His work and Susan David's work neatly dovetail with each other.
Sending you big, cozy hugs! Good for you for recognizing and feeling the feels, and giving yourself grace with work and life. You do so much for others, but I love hearing a bit more about YOUR world through your vulnerability and poetry. <3
Thanks, Anna. Hugs received and lots sent to you and your family, too!
I'm guessing you're super busy too, so I hope you're able to get some R&R.
Discussions around the NHS, consultations to get feedback from people on NHS experiences, and reading about some very tough experiences of carer friends feel SO frustrating—big system processes.
Hence, refocusing on what I CAN do within my locale and network, and hope, feels more meaningful. Little 'a' advocacy and support instead of big 'A', for now.
Agree sometimes it is necessary to step back and 'breathe'. Your posts help me to do this Victoria. You acknowledge that caring can become overwhelming at times and there are very difficult days and easier days and this is natural. Thank you.
Hi Helena, Thanks so much. It means a lot to hear your feedback and to know that these posts are helping you. In reminding others, I remind myself ;-) It's very easy to get caught up in the whirlwind - we may think we're flying, but actually, we're spinning on the spot! BIG exhale together, and hugs! xo
Victoria, thank you for this beautiful reminder. I have been in the throes of caring for my mom with two stays in the hospital for pneumonia. Now we are getting care in the home finally, yet she still fights it. The tensions are high but you remind me that movement is key. Hope is in the compassion I hold for my mom and care and space I give myself.
I also do an end-of-the-year journal review and will share that once I get the chance to write the post.
Your poem hit home for me. So grateful for your presence in this community!❤️✨
Aw, thanks, Janine! First, HUGS - I hear you and I'm right there with you.
Geez, 2 stays in the hospital with pneumonia - it's sticky and fatiguing and so tricky to gain traction in breathing easier. I can easily imagine fraught energy. Nothing is simple.
Finding some sort of routine must be difficult if symptoms and things have been in flux. Like I said, HUGS!
In the worst of times, it took me quite a long time to get to the point of having a daily 1-hour walk-gym run-walk. It seemed mad to go every day for an hour amidst the unpredictability. BUT, once set, it's surprising how we can become the anchor around which others can organise their support and time, reclaiming a bit of agency felt good too - if that makes sense?!?
Aw thank you. And I’m so glad you found a release. Moving but being on-call. Joyous and yet a little sad. I will not complain of the mud I wade through on my runs any longer!
Thanks, Sanjida! I think I was...or rather, I'm still knotting myself over several things—frustrating my energies and efforts.
The big exhalation comes from returning to mindful meditation: body scan, and loving-kindness. But the most effective detangler is physical movement! My treadmill was one of my best buys - to move but not go anywhere in case I'm needed! And yet, my hyper-brain needs feeding...I just realised I was feeding it with too many big systemic issues to chew on, so it needs a more balanced thought-diet ;-)
I thought of you yesterday during an excellent podcast - interview. They discussed looking at nature for insights, mediation and Bonobo Monkeys. I'll tag you when I post the podcast ;-)
I’m with you on wanting to focus on HOPE this month! thank you for bringing that into my orbit! I appreciate the resources you’ve gathered 🩷 I’ve noticed in the last few weeks, especially after seeing Wicked, how much I’ve been inspired to art - in all forms. I have such a thirst for it right now. I’m realizing that it’s because it’s connecting me to feeling joy and hopeful! I’ve never felt more grateful for artists and their art right now.
YES, exactly this, Steph! My brain food needs more hopeful ideas too, but my heart has a direct link with music ;-)
Thanks so much for the recommendation of my article Victoria 🙏 And I'm glad to hear you're finding some calmer days with your mum ❤️
Thanks, Vicki! I resonated a lot with your article. I'm a Russ Harris ACT fan ;-) I like to watch the video explanations and recap the main points each year. They're SO simple and easy to understand and wrap my head around. His work and Susan David's work neatly dovetail with each other.
Yes! He's great. I've done some trainings with Russ many years ago, he's highly entertaining as well. I'm glad to hear it resonated with you 😊
Aww, that’s So cool! Keep doing what you’re doing, Vicki - we all need these insights and support.
Thanks for spreading the comfort! 🤗
Welcome! I think we need a BIG community comfort blanket ;-)
The ComfortZone will be padded out. ;-)
Focusing on hope rather than sadness. Yes!
Thanks, Janice. I feel like hope feeds the soul and helps us build and move forward so we can carry the sadness more easily.
Right. We must hold onto hope. As you say, it helps us move forward through sadness and hard times.
Sending you big, cozy hugs! Good for you for recognizing and feeling the feels, and giving yourself grace with work and life. You do so much for others, but I love hearing a bit more about YOUR world through your vulnerability and poetry. <3
Thanks, Anna. Hugs received and lots sent to you and your family, too!
I'm guessing you're super busy too, so I hope you're able to get some R&R.
Discussions around the NHS, consultations to get feedback from people on NHS experiences, and reading about some very tough experiences of carer friends feel SO frustrating—big system processes.
Hence, refocusing on what I CAN do within my locale and network, and hope, feels more meaningful. Little 'a' advocacy and support instead of big 'A', for now.
Agree sometimes it is necessary to step back and 'breathe'. Your posts help me to do this Victoria. You acknowledge that caring can become overwhelming at times and there are very difficult days and easier days and this is natural. Thank you.
Hi Helena, Thanks so much. It means a lot to hear your feedback and to know that these posts are helping you. In reminding others, I remind myself ;-) It's very easy to get caught up in the whirlwind - we may think we're flying, but actually, we're spinning on the spot! BIG exhale together, and hugs! xo
Victoria, thank you for this beautiful reminder. I have been in the throes of caring for my mom with two stays in the hospital for pneumonia. Now we are getting care in the home finally, yet she still fights it. The tensions are high but you remind me that movement is key. Hope is in the compassion I hold for my mom and care and space I give myself.
I also do an end-of-the-year journal review and will share that once I get the chance to write the post.
Your poem hit home for me. So grateful for your presence in this community!❤️✨
Aw, thanks, Janine! First, HUGS - I hear you and I'm right there with you.
Geez, 2 stays in the hospital with pneumonia - it's sticky and fatiguing and so tricky to gain traction in breathing easier. I can easily imagine fraught energy. Nothing is simple.
Finding some sort of routine must be difficult if symptoms and things have been in flux. Like I said, HUGS!
In the worst of times, it took me quite a long time to get to the point of having a daily 1-hour walk-gym run-walk. It seemed mad to go every day for an hour amidst the unpredictability. BUT, once set, it's surprising how we can become the anchor around which others can organise their support and time, reclaiming a bit of agency felt good too - if that makes sense?!?
Gorgeous poem! I can almost feel the exhale at the end, the way one's shoulders drop and spirt lifts.
Aw thank you. And I’m so glad you found a release. Moving but being on-call. Joyous and yet a little sad. I will not complain of the mud I wade through on my runs any longer!
Thanks, Sanjida! I think I was...or rather, I'm still knotting myself over several things—frustrating my energies and efforts.
The big exhalation comes from returning to mindful meditation: body scan, and loving-kindness. But the most effective detangler is physical movement! My treadmill was one of my best buys - to move but not go anywhere in case I'm needed! And yet, my hyper-brain needs feeding...I just realised I was feeding it with too many big systemic issues to chew on, so it needs a more balanced thought-diet ;-)
I thought of you yesterday during an excellent podcast - interview. They discussed looking at nature for insights, mediation and Bonobo Monkeys. I'll tag you when I post the podcast ;-)