Happy Friday folks! Today’s focus is all about gratitude. The culmination of summer leaves us room to fall into another season of change. When life gives you lemons…
A zesty twist on your classic phrase because 2020 wasn’t what you were expecting either.
Sour Feelings?
We all have them and we deserve to take a moment to hold space for them. Here are my own reflections along with affirmations — What is something you’re holding onto that no longer serves you?
If you know me personally, you’d know I’m pretty sour about having my senior year sliced into, an indefinitely paused graduation ceremony, and the move I made from San Francisco back to Los Angeles. I’m sure this is a common feeling for lots of us. I’m holding onto shadow feelings of performances that just slipped out from under us, waiting to be shared with live audiences. The hurt from hopeful reunions to celebrate the biggest accomplishment of my young life. The bitterness of returning to an environment I have yet to accept.
🍋
You are allowed to miss what was. You can grieve what hasn’t happened.
You can be hurt & hopeful at the same time. You can honor your accomplishments. You will still be celebrated.
You can forgive yourself for harboring resentment. You are not expected to “learn to love it” - that might not be your truth. You can give yourself permission to accept cautiously at your own pace and as pieces present themselves rather than all at once.
I’m feeling sour about the conditions we’re living in facing a global pandemic, ongoing movements to end racist agendas, environmental uncertainty, political instability, and our psychological well-being. Any single one of these might make me feel overwhelmed and anxious. On some days, these are the only stream of content I consume via social media (because they are relevant enough to flood my feed) yet also draining. They are directions for my energy to flow…sometimes fuel. Other times I recognize that on any given day, I place far too much power in them constantly having to refuel. These causes, movements & ideas serve my desire to offer support where I can; they reaffirm my passions; they often reignite my involvement. The intense feelings and cynical nature attached to them can be valid — and as such should then be released, so I’ll ask again…
What is something you’re holding onto that no longer serves you?
Add a Splash of Gratitude
Ahhh, from sour to sweet, moving through the negatives to highlight what we can control. Our reactivity exists in the space we allow it to linger in. This is not to say that everything from above in my life (or the circumstances of yours) won’t trickle into this area of gratitude 💭
Instead, I invite you to shift the space you’re in when these areas of your life are stealing the show and ground yourself in the practice of gratitude. What was so viciously overwhelming can sit in the backseat for a few seconds while we appreciate anything that we can.
Lemons to Lemonade
🍋 Share anything that you are grateful for recently…
🍋 Share habits that have your honest attention…
🍋 Share gratitude for any element of your growth…
I am grateful for the creative outlets I have access to and for the opportunity to share my thoughts with others.
I am practicing consistency to create habits for my personal well being — hydration, skin care, caffeine intake, movement, & gratitude!
I am honoring the idea that healing is not linear. My growth is not linear. This is encouraging me to be more honest with others about my boundaries & listen to my own needs as they arise.
Our Lemonade Stand
Before posting, I wanted to ask around to include more displays of gratitude — many of which are so relatable! I’ve included some notes from friends & it grew to include those who are strangers to me but let’s be honest, even strangers are connected. Today, it is with gratitude…
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