Creating Space

Have you noticed during this time of confinement brought on by COVID-19 that you are finding emotions surfacing that just aren’t pleasant?  Often when things get uncomfortable or unpleasant, we turn to our favorite numbing habit.  In order to NOT FEEL uncomfortable, we numb out.   

We do this through online shopping, scrolling social media, watching Netflix, eating (too much), drinking (too much), sleeping (too much), talking on the phone, and well, you get the idea.  Everyday things are taken to an unhealthy extreme.  

Confinement has limited our freedom to jump in the car and escape the discomfort. Our dwelling spaces seem smaller than we realized. Without the ability to do what we have always done, we’re forced to face our feelings. Feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, dissatisfaction, boredom, and loneliness seem to take up residence on an hourly basis right now. When this happens, we have two options. We are either guided inward to find new ways of numbing out OR 

We can choose to discover new layers of our unique and complex self by getting curious about those uncomfortable feelings.    

When we have the tools and skills to support us during really difficult times, we can navigate the discomfort with minimal disruption to our daily lives. This doesn’t mean turning off our feelings, they’re part of our superpowers so we never want avoid them. By allowing these uncomfortable emotions to surface, we no longer need to numb out. When we get in the habit of feeling through our emotions, even the negative ones, we begin to realize we have the ability to control them – both the lows and the highs.  

There is no need to numb out when we know that the lows are just feelings.  They are connected to the thoughts we are thinking in that moment.  If we can shift our thoughts, our feelings will change too. 

I know that this pandemic has many of you dealing with these uncomfortable feelings. I also want you to know that there are so many powerful things you can do right now despite all of the restrictions you may feel. One powerful thing you can do right now is utilize this time to CREATE SPACE for yourself by being more aware of your thoughts.   

I think you will be surprised at how capable you are of changing your feelings when you create the space to process them. The confidence you will gain when you create space for yourself may amaze you! You’ll begin to realize the powerful way in which you have control to change the way you feel. Over time, you will discover exactly how to transform negative feelings into powerful ones and that is a beautiful thing. It is freedom! Be kind to yourself during these difficult times and remember the importance of turning inward when dealing with discomfort rather than avoiding your feelings by numbing out.  

That’s it for today’s #ReLTalk. 

P.S. - what anyone else thinks about you and your behavior is none of their business. What you think of yourself is!  Be gentle with yourself as the web of confusion is lifted and you become even clearer on how to get what you want for your life. It will require you to know and practice the things I teach on this blog but you can do it! You’ve got this and I’ve got you! 

SEEKING SUPPORT FOR YOURSELF OR YOUR TEAM?

HERE ARE TWO OPPORTUNITIES

Consider hiring me to create a workshop or custom coaching engagement to help your team, leadership team connect to their unique best self.  The outcome is discovering their confidence, energy, and focus.  After two decades of working in the corporate arena, I still find most of us do not know how to structure a lifestyle that supports our goals and dreams.  To reach those we must learn to be our best.  Bring our best work and attitude.  We have to take personal responsibility for who we are and how we choose to show up in life both business and personal.  Inspiring others to connect to this part of themselves and turn it into action is my magic.  I’d love to discuss how I can support your LEADERS.  Learn more here.

Could you use time and space to focus on yourself?  How about accountability to follow through on that desire? The CHOOSE YOU! Virtual women’s circle is created for just this purpose.  The desire to take better care of the inner self was present in my life, however everything else seemed to take priority until I discovered the practices that I share through CHOOSE YOU!  We meet 2x a month in the evening.  Want to join us?  Email [email protected] with the subject: “Tell Me More! Choose You group” and I’ll reach out to let you know when our next gathering is scheduled.  Learn More

Subscribe here to RēL Talk Tuesday, a weekly email written by master coach and teacher Marianne MacKenzie, lovingly referred to as the Queen of Radical Self-Care.  Passionate about helping women and the men we love to discover their own unique balance of lifestyle to live their best.  More on Marianne 

Looking for your people?  If you are curious about how to live a life of greater meaning and purpose, have an open mind, and desire to develop into your best self then let’s connect.  We would love you to join the TRIBE of RēL WOMAN, a private Facebook group.