Credit: Prairie Darkroom Photography

Take three deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling slowly. Release all of the tension you’ve been carrying through your day so far. How are you feeling now?

How many of us allow time to pause? When we have those long to-do lists, places to go or people who rely on us, who has the time?

You do.
Yes, YOU!

Taking those moments of pause is even more important when we are navigating contrast. You know what I mean…those life-altering heartbreaking unpredictable events that no one wants to deal with. One of the biggest fears shared by my clients is the fear of stopping when you’ve overextended yourself for so long that you don’t remember another way. Well, when contrast arises it makes the choice for you. Things come to a standstill and you stop whether you want to or not. 

How we handle the next moments makes the difference between feeling stuck or letting the contrast bring you clarity. There is always a way out but it isn’t easy to see when we are in crisis mode. 

So how can we navigate contrast?

In crisis mode, some ways you can bring yourself into a more regulated place are:

  • Taking a few deep breaths in and out
  • Taking a walk outside
  • Calling someone you trust to talk things over
  • Giving yourself a hug
  • Feeling the ground under your feet
  • Going for a run or dancing
  • Other fast movement matching the energy you’re carrying to release whatever is stuck inside
  • Splashing your face with cold water
  • Giving yourself a mental break from whatever is on your mind
  • Writing it out if this is a way that helps you name your feelings

Other ways to navigate contrast outside of crisis moments are:

  • Focusing on the simple moments of joy – nothing is too small, it all counts!
  • Connection: with others, with your pets, with your backyard
  • Trusting the Divine, Source, God, or however you describe that flow greater than all of us
  • Acceptance of what’s happening: this doesn’t mean you are okay with whatever is happening right now, it just means you are giving up your resistance and moving on to the next moment in flow
  • Self-compassion: this is the biggest gift you can give yourself! Realize you are human, you are suffering and we all suffer sometimes. Soothe yourself like you would a friend or a loved one. When you notice the inner critic speaking up, give yourself extra self-compassion!

These are just a few ideas and I’d love to share more one on one if it feels needed.

xoxo,

Shreyasi
Founder and Mental Health Therapist, Mindful Mare Wellness