If you’re like me, time seems to fly endlessly. It can be difficult to find moments in which we are able to relish rather than moving straight into the next. 2021 has not been entirely different. A blink of a year almost, until we sit and reflect. Another difficult year for so many. As we move into 2022 many of us discuss how we can start that year. What new goals can I make? How can I do this year differently? How can I create a less difficult year for myself? Those are important questions to ask ourselves, surely. However, how do we find real answers to these questions? Being mindful of our emotional health is exactly where we should begin. Through self-reflection our self-awareness grows, therefore creating a space to understand what we are capable of and what we need to work on.
The humanity inside of us often has us run from scary things. From the bad, hard, indifferent moments in our lives. Away from discomfort. Because of this, many of us just close off what we have faced during difficult times and therefore cannot understand how to create necessary change moving forward or give ourselves credit for change we have already established. This is where we can identify strengths and resiliencies as well as fallacies and short comings. I ask you to sit with me in this space and reflect without running.
What was hard for you this year? What did you do about it? How did you survive to see 2022? When times get difficult people often forget what their strengths were. There is a reason you were able to pass through a challenge in your life. Maybe it’s your own tenacity. Maybe it’s the connectedness you had with others. It could be because you engaged in a lot of self-care. Whatever the reason – note it.
I could not have survived these difficult moments if I had not…… (fill in the blank, this is your starting point).
Now what could you have used more of? Think of it this way:
I would have been able to handle that better if I had…… (again, reflect on this and take note). This should give you an outline on what has helped create emotional health for you during this past year and what your needs are moving into the next. Valuing your emotional health should serve as a guideline on how to move forward – this is where we find the answers to what our goals for 2022 should be.
Upon reflecting, what are some starting points to care for our emotional health?
Care for your physical health: Exercise, give your body foods it needs, sleep good hours, see your physician, and avoid substance use – particularly if you’re using it to cope with challenges.
Manage stress: Balance tasks, include hobbies, ask for help. Incorporating mindfulness activities is also very important. These can include meditation, music, journaling, or talking to someone.
Keep connected: Surround yourself with friends and family. Do your part to engage in relationships. Find a space in your village that is comfortable and nourishing to you.
If you feel like you cannot reflect on the year alone, reach out to us today so we can help guide you through processing this difficult time and make a plan to lead you to a fulfilling, authentic 2022.
