So much of the time I’m thinking about self-compassion in a very specific way: it’s all about cutting myself slack, letting myself take time and space to breathe and heal, and releasing the guilt that comes with saying no and letting my goals shift (downward) as life requires them to.
But what about when things are going good?
What about when the chaos settles a little and you can finally start exploring the ideas that have been brewing inside your brain for a while?
What about when an opportunity comes along that feels exciting and inspiring and you’re not bogged down by the weight of life’s challenges?
What about when you WANT to push for the great and amazing things?
Self-compassion doesn’t mean just giving yourself slack and lowering your expectations… It’s also recognizing when you are able and ready for more.
It’s learning to leap when you feel weightless.
For two months now we’ve been in a calmer place with seizures. We’re able to go places and do things that we couldn’t do before. Though this freedom doesn’t come without massive side effects and challenges, my daughter’s quality of life with Dravet syndrome is so much better than it was when we were trapped in the dark.
This is a totally new, freeing existence for our entire family.
And for me personally, it means I have room to think, to breathe, and to carefully tend to the dreams that had taken a back seat. It means shifting my goals (upward) in a way that soothes my soul.
I will take this time—knowing how fragile it is—and write the stories that tug on my heart. I will jump at opportunities that lift my spirit. I will say yes to the things that light up my soul.
I will follow the momentum of this growing season for however long it lasts. And when the tides change and I need to catch my breath again, I will follow my heart and give myself grace.
My dreams and I can be flexible, because growth is not linear. We can flow through the seasons of life together without losing track of one another.
Whatever season you’re in as we enter this new calendar year, I hope you can have compassion for yourself and your dreams in whatever way you need.
Thank you for reading and following along. If you have a minute to reply to this email or leave a comment below, it would be so wonderful to know what parts of this newsletter are working best for my readers.
Cheers!
Love this! Coming out of a batten-down-the-hatches-time myself I’ve found my heart hesitant to take a leap. I told my brother it felt like a big risk. He asked the very helpful question of what was at risk. I realized only disappointment. And it’s a risk worth taking. Thank you for sharing Wendy!
Grateful for this calmness surrounding you all, allowing enjoyment of each other with less anxiety. So great to watch you grow in all you’ve had to place on hold and watching with excitement where this path takes you. So proud of you overcoming these trials. 💕