I love this reminder from lovetheloa which I found on Instagram.
Don’t be afraid to Create Space for yourself today!
Quote No. 23 from Encourage Yourself Encourage Others by Anne Devine.
I’m feeling very grateful to have had the opportunity yesterday to take part in an Adler Cafe with the Adlerian Society UK Institute for Individual Psychology (ASIIP).
The topic we discussed was that of Encouragement asking how and why people might be discouraged at the moment?
We spoke about the importance of not going inwards in ourselves but to keep outward looking, showing concern for others and also showing ourselves empathy.
We noted the need to care for ourselves first in order to be able to care for others. Caring for others can have an uplifting effect on our own mental wellbeing. A sense of belonging keeps us connected.
We also considered how we can nurture encouragement and help people flourish during the challenges of Covid19.
Some responses included,
Tapping into our strengths
Reinforcing the strengths we see in others
Giving people space
Keeping focused on our priorities
Focusing on what’s within our control
Talking in positive ways about fear
Acknowledging those fears and accepting them, helping to normalises them
Finding ways to defuse fear and lead back to encouragement
Volunteering where possible
And of course the important role of humour.
We also discussed the importance of taking responsibility, facing up to the possibility of our own mortality or that of close relatives by having the difficult conversations about death. Putting a plan in place so other family members know our health care and/or funeral wishes. This can save a lot of upset when somebody becomes critically ill.
How and why might you be discouraged at the moment?
How can you Encourage Yourself Encourage Others?
Le grà,
Mindfully Marie xx
In my previous post on bullying I shared some listening tips I found helpful Read it here
Another important aspect of listening, when bullying is an issue for you or your children, is listening to what your own body is telling you.
When you are stressed you might notice that you behave in ways that are out of character. Examples could include cancelling a day out with a friend, missing time at work or increasing your consumption of food or drink, as a source of comfort. You might realise you feel anxious and ready to snap at those around you. If this sounds very familiar then self-care is the answer.
There is a well known saying… “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” No matter how tough we think we are, any on-going, distressing situation can wear down our resilience and make us want to run as far away as possible from the upset. I’ve been there, many times, when I felt helpless to improve the situation for both our children. I felt totally stressed and unable to concentrate on other aspects of my life.
Thankfully I realised the importance of self-care. I realised I could not be a source of support to others if I did not look after my own health and welfare first.
To be your best self and function at peak capability, particularly at a time of crisis, YOU need to make time and space for YOU.
I can’t emphasise enough, the importance of that last sentence! Self-care might initially involve some professional counselling support for you or your child. Finding a Counsellor or Psychologist experienced in the area of bullying, and building a positive relationship based on trust, will be the corner-stone to making progress.
Another important part of self-care is finding ways to forget your worries. Part of the reason why I developed this blog and called it “Create Space” was to “create” some “space” for me, to zone out from my concerns, and focus instead on my interests and the positives in my life. This creative space helped me recharge. I forgot my worries and built my resilience!
Try to find what lights your fire, whether it is joining a yoga class or having coffee with a friend. Try a walk in the fresh air if you can’t think of anything that would brighted your day. Self-care will nurture your inner child, lift your spirit, help you put things into perspective and clear your head to enable you consider new solutions.
Remember to practice Self-care! Better still practice “Self-care, times 10!”
I hope you found this helpful or maybe you know someone who might find it helpful. I’d love to hear your thoughts. What happens when you neglect self-care? What’s the last thing you did for fun? How does having “me” time make you feel and why would you recommend it?
Le grà,
Mindfully Marie xx
This is Doris!
and she’s in the kitchen
Together with Emma
They are cooking up a symphony
That will paint Ireland pinky red
Or better still Magenta
As they succeed in bringing
Psychiatric Assistance Dogs to Ireland!
Together they have lobbied politicians and the
Minister for Disability Issues
Finian McGrath
To compile a proposal to Government
Granting public access rights
To Psychiatric Assistance Dogs
So that people, like Emma, who live
With mental health conditions
Can bring a trained Psychiatric Assistant Dog
With them to public places
Just as users of Guide Dogs for the blind
Or Autism Support Dogs have benefitted
From their canine companions
And Doris will be an “extraspectacular” Psychiatric Assistance Dog
Being the first of her kind in Ireland!
https://lightmotifs.wordpress.com/2019/08/12/three-things-challenge-pl149/
And…
Did you know that…
Magenta Ain’t A Colour
By Liz Elliott
Magenta is an “extraspectral” color.
Sir Isaac Newton noticed that magenta did not exist in the spectrum of colors from white light when he played with prisms.
But when he superimposed the red end of the spectrum on to the blue end, he saw the color magenta (this can be done with two prisms to make two spectral spreads, “rainbows”):
Magenta is the only color that does not exist as a single wavelength of light
For more interesting facts and optical illusions check out…
http://www.biotele.com/magenta.html
Le grà,
Mindfully Marie xx
Jokingly but in earnest…
Some days
I feel
like an octopus,
trying to cope with soooo many things,
Some days
I feel
I need an umbrella,
to shield me from their onslaught,
Some days
I feel
A divorce
from the perpetrators
could be the solution to this pollution
But most days
I feel
a good laugh or a sleep brings the best relief!
Le grà,
Marie xx
https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/74951/posts/2204449929
If you arrived home on Friday and felt like this…
I hope you’ve made time to do something you enjoyed, something just for you and that you are refuelled now and ready to face the week ahead!
How did you feel? How do you feel now?Please share what worked for you?
Le grà,
Mindfully Marie xx
…well I haven’t really, but sometimes it sure feels like it, particularly when I have a fibro flair or when there is some new or additional demanding situation, such as having my mum in hospital and needing daily visits. But I’m going to follow Andy’s example, and enjoy my next blissfully relaxing nap!
Do you practice self-care? Do you enjoy a siesta or cat-nap (sorry Andy… dog-nap)? What do you do to recharge your batteries?
Le grà,
Marie xx
“Create” what a boundless word!
“Create” it said and I just had to
“Create” a Space…my space, to
“Create” my blog title to my blog to
“Create” room in my life to
“Create” and be
Creative!
https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/80183056/posts/2152927706
Le grà,
Mindfully Marie xx
Life is one long riddle…or need it be?
R Ruminating, if it’s the negative sort, will hold you back,
I Initiative & Imagination propels you forward,
D Doubting yourself merely
D Damages your Initiative & Imagination
L Love yourself, as you are,
E Enlightenment follows and solves your puzzle!
Much love,
Marie xx
wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2019/01/06/riddle/
