AVOIDANCE. WHAT IS WITH THAT?
How to NOT avoid self-care
When I am most anxious, I end up avoiding doing any of the ‘stuff’ I know helps me feel better.
From journaling, to meditation, tapping, or even my asana practice… Occasionally when things are really bad in my head, it all goes out the window.
Endless hours of mindless activity usually takes the place of my self care techniques at times like this. Lately, it has been the comforting embrace of episode after episode of FRIENDS on repeat.
And not to say that watching TV is wrong or bad or isn't a self care practice in its own right. It is the reason why I choose this activity that isn't so helpful…
When I'm super anxious, I spend hours immersing myself in shows or podcasts or playlists because they offer an escape. A way to be apart from my feelings. So I don't have to think about them or re-live the awkwardness/pain/sickness/shame that resides in my body (feel free to insert your own emotion there).
Trouble is, although it is not always the most fun to dredge up the crap that has made me this way, I know that if I don't sit with my emotions, if I continue to allow them to float around, untethered, it is so much more painful. And they stick around a lot longer, too.
I know that I always feel better after my self care routine. Very rarely do any of the activities I mentioned at the start - and the consequence of ‘more time with my thoughts’ - truly make me feel worse.
Often, it is just the idea that we have to confront our anxieties or other tricky emotions that holds us back from doing what we need to do to move past them. Rather than the outcome of the lived experience of actually doing it.
So if you are having trouble getting back to your mat, or whatever other self care practices help you through your tough times, and you aren't quite ready to face your emotions head on, try this instead:
Write out all the reasons why you think you are avoiding doing this work.
See what comes up. You don't have to think about the anxiety itself, but instead why you don't want to do the self-care practices you know often help.
Who knows, this might be a therapeutic exercise in itself (I know - it is..)
This week’s recs
These guided EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) meditations have been a saviour for me and my anxiety levels the last few months. Tapping: ancient Chinese acupressure + modern psychology = 🙌🏻
We're going back into full lockdown here in London so I'll be working my way through this list of very VERY good films over the next month. Call Me By Your Name and The Colour Purple have been ticked off already.
Quiz time! How well do you practice emotional self care?
It's Election Week. Tension can be felt all over the globe, with the most monumental decision of many of our life times to be made over the coming days. Sydney Cutler is one of our brilliant community members, and she is offering donation based Yoga Nidra zoom classes all week to support us through these emotional times.
What is your yoga business's ‘personality'? This tool will tell you. (The Fig got 'Humorous' … accurate? I'd like to think so 😂)
