So anyway.
How are you?
How are you getting used to our new strange? I hear a lot of people talk about the new normal but I’m sure you’ll agree that there is nothing normal about this pandemic situation, the new strange seems a bit more fitting.
I am so thankful to be back working, back doing what I enjoy, and seeing my clients again. I’m very grateful to have a business to return to.
The lead up to eventually being allowed to work again was a bit of bumpy start. We (Remedial and Sports massage therapists) had the go ahead to get back wot work, with guidance, then it changed and we had to stop working and there was a rollercoster situation for a week. Anyway I’m back in practice so phew!
I have been encouraging clients to take a journey into town to practice getting to their appointment. The first time I went into town since March was really strange, and town was so quiet. this was back at the start of June. I just cycled in to see what was it was like. It feels a lot better now, but when you haven’t been out of the house for a while, and seeing other human beings, again, it take some getting used to.
In the past week I have had clients in who like me, just went home, and waited, and waited, and waited, and painted fences and sheds, did gardening, did more gardening. Then there were others who haven not stopped working at all, and some even home schooling at the same time.
When I wasn’t working, my mindset was genuinely that this was the worst thing that could ever happen, to me, and then I realised, that, no its not, but these are the tricks out minds can play on us in times of stress.
What I had to do was this:
Practice Awareness - This meant stepping away from the news and social media, and be aware of what was proving to be a trigger to stress.
Apply new responses to events - basically I had to challenge my unhelpful thinking and develop new responses to what was happening in the news, and around me too.
I have written about this before, the importance of having strong foundations. What makes your foundations strong? Make a list of and revisit those things that make you feel good.
My big ones are sleep and nutrition.
If i don’t eat well I just binge, and if I don’t get good quality sleep that can make me binge too, and on top of that I just look awful!
Figure out what you foundations are, it helps to write them down and make plans. Talk to other people about it too. Take comfort in the fact that we really are all in this together.
The important thing to remember is that on the whole, people are good.
Onward!
Elizabeth