The main change in the traffic light system from orange to red, is around numbers and space, the space between ourselves and others.
We can also look to create space for ourselves. Our heads may be trying to tell us that not much is different in what we can do or can’t do, but our hearts may have other thoughts or feelings.
Here are some ways of creating space in our world.
1. Check-in with what you actually have the capacity for now, I often talk to people about their capacity and what is currently filling their capacity, taking up their energy, emotionally and physically. If this change in levels has brought up concerns or fears for you, it will take up more of your capacity as you navigate through them. Being aware of this can help us understand why some things need to be de-prioritised right now, and also why we may feel like we have a lot less patience and resilience.
2. It can also help to bring our attention to our mind, our body, our soul as well as our heart. What are we needing right now? When we can identify what we need, we can start taking some small steps to make it happen or to reach out for help to get those needs met.
3. What could be a short mantra that could help you during this time? It could be something along the lines of I am safe, I am okay, I have got this. A helpful, gentle reminder and reassurance to the heart.
4. Do you have a memory, real or imagined, of a safe place that brings you calm? A place that wherever you are, you can retreat to and pick up some of the peace and strength from there.
5. Breathing, there are many different breathing exercises, so it helps to find one that you can remember, and that works for you. My go-to tends to be box breathing, breathing in for 4, holding for 4, out for 4, holding for 4 and repeat.
6. It is often said that our physical world reflects our emotional and spiritual world and vice versa. What is your physical world looking like currently? Is there anything you can do to create some space, tidy or declutter that could help you feel like you have more space emotionally and mentally too? I found this applied to my calendar too, that when that was full, I could notice the reaction in my body when I looked at it.
7. Create some space in your weary brain by sharing what is coming up for you, whether that be some writing in a journal, a helpline, contacting Taranaki Retreat or coming in to visit us at Waimanako and spending some time with a Listening Ear.
8. Another way of releasing what we are holding can be through movement. Sometimes it can be hard to put it in to words specifically, movement and releasing can help us create that space in a different way. What could that look like for you? A walk, run, dancing in the lounge, singing, finding some comedy to watch so you’re laughing, anything to physically shift what might be coming up for you.
9. What are some of the small things on the to-do list, that won’t take up too much energy or capacity to complete, but could give you a bit of breathing space as well as a dopamine hit of accomplishment?
10. What could be some other self-care practices that help you to ground, whether it be listening to some chilled music, feet in the grass or the sand, meditation, prayer or quiet time.
And just to emphasise point 7 once more – we are here for you. We have space, our team has space, our venues have space. We are walking this journey with you.
Written for Taranaki Retreat.
