Overcoming the biggest obstacle
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We are all moving through and adjusting to our new, shared reality day by day.
The topic that comes up most in conversation with the people I speak to on my weekly Zoom calls and with my clients, is how we are each making our way through our days.
Some are feeling grounded. Some are struggling. All are making adjustments.
And all of us experience ups and downs. It’s important to be compassionate with yourself when you are stressed.
The biggest obstacle we face is not new to this moment, but it is playing an out-sized role: FEAR
I get it. Things are scary. But we can give ourselves time to feel into it, and then know that we don't have to let fear cripple us. In fact, the better we can learn techniques to manage fear and shift from it, the less it will hinder us.
Try these 3 great antidotes to fear
1. Live in the Present
When you are able to be fully present in each moment, you get the gifts in the moment. You are not spinning out future scenarios, or replaying old stories.
Worry and fear can stay on the outside of that space.
When you are living in the present you can be grateful for what is good, what is beautiful, and what is meaningful right now.
This focused attention also enables you to create the moment you want and need. And, it invites you to create a vision for what is possible to support you, as well as consider all that is possible. Your quiet mind is able to connect to your intuition, and new ideas are likely to show up.
My book, Live Big: A Manifesto for a Creative Life includes a chapter about living in the present, with practices that can help you to make being present a natural way of living. To get started right now, simply pause, take a few slow deep breaths, and notice how good that feels. There, you’ve made a start.
2. Love More
Love is a huge antidote to fear. This is the time to stay connected! Spend time (by phone, or video call) with family, friends, business colleagues and clients.
How can you share more love?
How can you beef up self-love with some extra self-care each day?
How can love inspire new ways for you to be of service, or help more people?
When you live from a place of love, everything is better and everything flows more easily.
There’s a chapter titled Love More in my book, and there is also a gift I’ve offered in the book that helps you understand self-love and the self-critic. You can download that guide here — as well as a few guided meditations.
3. Stay in Action
Being active is a fabulous way to keep fear at bay. And it works in a few ways:
Be physically in motion:
Find ways to move each day. Take a walk and connect to nature and the sky. Do an on-line yoga class or other exercise class (so many great ones are available now). Get up and stretch, or dance, or both!
Create expressively:
Choose something that will be fun.
• Do you love using your hands? Do some knitting or a crafty project.
• Do you enjoy cooking (or are you learning to cook now that take-out and restaurants are not your go-to way of feeding yourself)? Play with ingredients. Try new combinations or seasonings. Plate you food with attention to beauty.
• Do you feel called to draw or play with colors? Find some markers, pencils or paints and make a little creative station (your kitchen table is fine). Or pull out some old magazines and glue, and make collages.
• Make virtual “creative dates” with someone and share your creations.
Take steps to implement new ideas:
Remember the new ideas that showed up when you slowed down and started living in the present? Think about what small first steps you can map out, and start doing them. Is it a new way to serve your clients, as you see new needs arise? Is it a new way to stay connected with people far away? Is it a new way you want to experiment with creativity?
Commit to taking at least one new step each day. Momentum will build, even if you find yourself iterating and adjusting. Day after day, you will be in motion!
I am here. I want to support you.
My third Creating Our Way Forward Zoom call on Sunday included a wonderful group of big-hearted women from all over the country. We came together to connect, share and learn new ways to navigate in these challenging times.
I will offer another call on Sunday, April 5 at 3:00 eastern. I'm eager to guide everyone through practices and insights for more ways to live well in these times.
Stay safe and well, and keep creating.
