How are you doing? How are you treating my friend?

We’ve all been living in an extended period of hyper-vigilance, stress and anxiety. It’s different than the kind of stress we were used to in the “before” times.  It’s super important to make the time to take care of our mental, emotional and spiritual health as well as our physical health.

I’m a creature of habit. I have had habits that worked for years … and for various reasons they aren’t as effective now – so I’ve had to adjust. Have you made the time to adjust your self-care regime? I resist even calling it self-care because it’s more like survival care.

I know that inspiration is in short supply these days, too, so to make it just a little easier, here are some ideas:

Be gentle with yourself and others. That makes for less to regret and less to clean up!

Forgive yourself. For whatever. For everything – if you don’t get everything done; if you don’t react with your best self; if you eat too much ice cream. Whatever. It’s not that important really, is it?

Get good sleep.

If you can’t take a vacation find different ways to escape – read especially enthralling books or watch shows and movies from different times or places….or documentary series. I was really wrapped up in some old archaeology documentaries from a while. They were a really fun distraction.

Feed your mind in some interesting small doses – like the documentaries.

Most importantly, I think, is to find ways to feel better and better emotions. Not all are possible now, for sure, so I pick the ones that I can feel, that I can create. Right now I like feeling compassion. And cozy (ironic in a heat wave). I love the Life Is Good shirts.

I’m really deliberate about the colors I choose to wear each day, because I know that the colors support specific emotions for me. So do scents. In California right now, the scent of smoke is pretty pervasive, and can be triggering. I have found that it helps to have essential oils around – whether I’m using a diffuser or just a few drops on a cotton ball.  Lavender, citrus or cinnamon are my favorites.

Be deliberate about your senses – the colors, the smells, tastes, textures and sounds that surround you. Make sure they feel good.

Share your ideas in the comments, please!

In the meantime, remember these things: You are loved. We are all loved. Let’s all be kind. And in all things – progress, not perfection!

Love and light,

Maggie

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The book has been launched. People are telling me that they love it, and it’s perfect for right now. That makes me really happy. You can get a copy here:  https://bit.ly/RainbowOnion  If you do get it, please leave a review. My goal is to get at least 50 reviews by September 25 (totally random date). If you leave a review, send me a screenshot and I’ll send you a present…a mini-course on the color yellow – perfect for these times.