My Space

It’s not just what you’re eating. It’s what’s eating you.

My husband had surgery 3 weeks ago, and for the first week, it was like having a newborn at home. He was totally dependent on me, and I did what I tend to do, what we all tend to do. I just went full steam ahead. I took care of him. I tended to my teenage boys. I showed up for events. I cooked. I did some accounting for his business. I checked in with his employees. I even answered the needs of some of you and put out a free meal plan. And I had to, as all of you did, comply and deal with social distancing. Uggggh!

And then, two beautiful souls checked in on me (and my husband) and simply said, “Don’t forget to take care of you.”

Ahhhhh. There it was, a reminder and permission. We all need it, even the strong ones, even the caregivers, even the coaches.

I hadn’t been to my space in quite awhile. My corner of the world where I can breathe — inhale a new perspective and exhale energy that is not working for me. It’s my space where I am able to renew and make space for me to grow. Without it, emotions get buried, blur my thinking, and literally make me sick.

During these turbulent times, the CDC put this out to remind us that stress lowers our immunity and makes us all more vulnerable to COVID-19. The virus is here. So much is out of our control. It’s overwhelming, and addressing our feelings and dealing with our stress is of upmost importance.

So I’m paying it forward… I remind you and give you permission to take a few minutes for you. Retire to a quiet corner, put in some ear buds and crank a tune, sit and cry, pray, take deep breaths, meditate, or scream. Do what feels good to you. (You can find one of my favorite stress-reducing meditations from Kris Carr here.)

Henry Maudsley, a pioneering 19th century psychiatrist said, “The sorrow which has no vent in tears may make other organs weep.” The medical theory is ancient and still, few practice it. Release the sorrow, the anxiety, the stress.

Just do it. And then pay it forward. Connect with your loved ones and give them permission. And please, check in on the strong ones. They’re often forgotten.