I was in the parking lot the other day, having just picked up lunch for my family. As I was climbing back into my car, I glanced at the car parked next to me and on the back dash was a bottle of hand sanitizer and a child sized mask.
I grinned wryly as I had one of those moments of “Wow….that is so symbolic of the times we are living in.”
We can’t just go to the store or restaurant and breezily walk in anymore.
We’ve had to let go of that carefree way we used to navigate the world and instead, be more cautious, more careful, more mindful and more intentional.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of letting go lately… it started in March with COVID and it has intensified for me personally in recent weeks due to my family’s cross-country move.
Changing environments can be challenging and this year, in 2020, we’ve seen a collective rearranging of our environments and a massive letting go unlike anything that we’ve seen in our lifetimes. (My daughter rolls her eyes at me when I use the word “unprecedented” but I talk to my friends and say “but it IS!” and they nod their heads in agreement.)
There’s been a lot of loss…a lot of struggle…a lot of grieving. Especially for those who have lost jobs or income, gotten sick, or had a loved one die from COVID-19. The toll has been heavy for many.
In addition, in our everyday routines, we’ve had to let go of…
- hugs and shaking hands
- working in offices
- sending our kids to school
- feeling safe leaving our houses
- travel to see family or for vacation
- smiling at people in the grocery store
- large social gatherings (parties, weddings, graduations, sports events, music concerts)
But with change can also come with huge rewards. Some people are finding that they appreciate these things…
- flexibility of working from home, foregoing a commute, and having to wear work clothes every day
- weekend schedules that are suddenly wide open, allowing for more family time
- more time to read books (especially short reads about self-care)
- the slower pace of life not having to rush from work to school to activities, etc.
- the return of drive-in movie theaters
- the increased adoptions of pets in need (we adore Coco and Tang, our COVID kitties!)
- more time to plant a garden and more time to cook creative recipes
- an increase in physical activity among families…bike riding, walking, and hiking together
If you haven’t taken time lately to process your emotions about highs and lows of the Coronacoaster from the past 8 months, I’d encourage you to do so. Sometimes simply acknowledging our losses, detailing our opportunities, and expressing our gratitude (even for the smallest things) can help us to navigate these uncertain waters of change.
Grab a journal and take 10-15 minutes to put pen to paper and write out your experience. Ask yourself the following:
- What have I had to let go of this year? (related to COVID or not)
- What emotions have arisen as a result?
- How might I practice better self-care for myself moving forward?
- What opportunities have shown up for me this year? (related to COVID or not)
- What am I grateful for in this moment despite all of the ups and downs?
In my coaching sessions, clients outline their celebrations, their challenges, and their gratitudes…then we work together to focus on identifying steps to take inspired action toward their goals. Moving forward, more often than not, involves plenty of letting go to create space for what’s next.
Here’s to letting go…
E.
P.S. I’ve got an exciting new product in development that will be available for order in the coming weeks. I’ll give you a hint: it can amp up the energy in your environment and involves sacred space + setting intentions. I’ve sold a few gifts through word-of-mouth and the response has been super positive. If you’re looking for a unique and personal gift this holiday season, stay tuned!