Stand Up. Be Uncomfortable.
The Radical Self-Care of Challenging Ourselves to Do the Thing
This is one of the most important parts of true self-care: moving past resistance, procrastination, and fear to DO THE HARD THINGS!
True, full self-care is NOT only bubble-baths-and-vacations-to-tropical-places.
In order to embody true self-care we must get more comfy doing the things we don't want to do or that are scary:
Having the hard conversations
Doing the scary next step
Being uncomfortable and resistant and doing it anyway
Standing up and using our voice in connection to our values
Receiving hard feedback from peers and mentors
Let’s start with an exploration: when you avoid doing the hard things, how do you feel?
When you procrastinate taking the next step on your dream, or don't make the boundary, or continue to avoid, avoid, avoid, or don’t follow through... what happens in your body?
As I shared in last week’s article on self-care and maintenance, there are consequences.
When we understand the slow energy drain and ways that we can detach from our bodies and our lives when we avoid the hard things, we have more motivation to take action.
This week's article is going to be short and to the point.
You are braver than you know. You are powerful. You are supported.
1. Turn toward the hard thing you have been avoiding
Can you turn it into smaller chunks?
If yes: make a list, or maybe just your next step
2. Don't think
Set aside doing it right or wrong
Imagine you are rooted into the earth.
Feel the earth as a solid foundation beneath you
3. Take. The. Action.
If you don't take the action: are you thinking too much?
Stop that.
Breathe.
Come back to your body.
Feel the discomfort.
Remind yourself: it is okay to be uncomfortable.
Breathe.
Be uncomfortable.
Now try again.
Take. The. Action.
Repeat.
If you find yourself procrastinating, resisting, or sinking into the suck of inner quicksand ask yourself: do I need any additional support / mentoring / cheerleading / advice to take this action?
Or do I just need to take the damn action?
Get the support you need. Find mentors. A community. A therapist. A friend that can cheerlead you. A loving kick-butt support system.
And then...
Take the next little action, my loves.
(One big little action I took last week that shifted something deep in my being: Receiving some hard feedback and sharing what would best help me stay present listen so I could fully take it in and clean it up : ) )
What’s one little challenging next step you will take this week? I’d love to hear!
Big honor and gratitude to people standing up to power all over the world. Even in negative temperatures. When they are not believed. When governments are literally murdering peaceful protestors. Gratitude and honor to the ones who came before us to create more freedom by doing uncomfortable, hard, terrifying things because they chose love over fear. Let’s honor the ones who came before us and take courage from their actions. Deep bow.
“Get the support you need. Find mentors. A community. A therapist. A friend that can cheerlead you. A loving kick-butt support system.”
Such an important reminder. None of us are meant to do life alone, and having the right support can make all the difference.
I love your text to face the uncomfortable. Take care🌺