The winter has brought with it the sense of sadness which it normally does. No matter how much I try to pay attention to the positives and the gifts it brings, I find myself in a low mood. I’ve been around a block a few times to know that nothing is permanent, that no feeling lasts, that nothing good or bad is forever. I have enough wisdom to know that trusting my mood will almost certainly steer me away from a life that can otherwise be beautiful. It’s not about always feeling upbeat, happy and alive but rather knowing that you are not feeling so and recognising that you will get back there again.
When I find myself in these types of funks I try not to spend too much time there. Otherwise it becomes harder and harder to get out. So I try to find ways that I can snap out of the low vibrations and find a more high level vibration that will allow me to release any emotions that need not stay and open space for those that I want to invite in. This takes a lot of practice and I am by no means a pro at it yet, but even right now I need to get out of the funk that I’m in so I will adopt a few strategies to break the cycle that is causing me to sink. I recognise that I am feeling closed because I am listening to sad slow music as I sit on my couch with limited light from an overcast London day.
Ok, let’s do a reset!
Change the music – done.
Look outside and embrace nature whilst taking a deep breath – done.
Pause for another deep breath – done.
Ok, reset finished. How do I feel now? Lighter, more open and more in control of my feelings. This is the power of the mind and the ability to shift its attention from the ugly to the beautiful, the painful to the healing, the hard to the easy and the exhausting to the energised. Understanding how to hack your body and mind is a skill, one that I’ve been trying to learn over time and I’m still very much a novice in. No one teaches us these tricks and so we spend our whole lives feeling lost, uncomfortable and therefore behaving in all sorts of maladaptive ways!
When you choose to reset, you are gifting yourself with a few moments of peace. From this space you can reflect on the things that are bothering you with a more clear, balanced and compassionate lens. Allowing you to identify better solutions and make better decisions. It’s also important to remind yourself of some truths that give you perspective on how you are feeling. For example, I try to remind myself that I’m not the only one struggling with mental health. That I have very valid reasons as to why I am feeling wobbly at the moment; so there is no room for concern because actually the way I feel is completely natural and normal for the context which I am in. I have tools and strategies that I’m adopting to help myself and I am remaining open and curious for anything else that can help.
Like anything, it takes time to reset and rewire your brain. To raise the vibration of your energy levels and to experience the life that you want. So, allow yourself the space, time and patience to get there. Be kind to yourself, be good to yourself and take it easy. Find ways to heal and let go. Little by little, moment by moment.
Love Always,
M
Souloom™ 