Rise up this morning
Smiled with the rising sun
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singing sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true
Saying, “This is my message to you”
Singing: “Don’t worry about a thing
Cause every little thing is gonna be alright
Singing: “Don’t worry about a thing (Don’t worry)
Cause every little thing is gonna be alright!”
* Bob Marley
A little positivity in the face of adversity.
As I write this I woke up to the sound of birds. It’s spring. 3.16.2020. My body is doing what it wants to do – feel the energy of springtime.
I’m someone who is grounded by nature. It’s comforting for me to focus on the larger picture – that the sun will rise every day, the warmth returns, and the birds melodically usher in a new season. In my mind a favorite song of mine started playing – Rise up this morning, smiled at the rising sun. A little Bob Marley feel good music.
I felt good. Energized. Ready to start my day.
My next thought shifted to the pandemic. It’s Monday. 3.16.2020. If feels officially like Day 1. What is happening here?
This experience is surreal. My body wants life to be as it should be. Warm sunshine. Birds. Spring.
And it is as it should be and it’s not at the same time!
Let’s focus on moving through this
Writing is a tool for healing. So I sat down at my computer and just started writing, and getting this out of my body. My body knows how to move me through this collective trauma we are experiencing. I’ve been a therapist for 20 years! My work has evolved over all these years into a trauma specialist and I’m extremely grateful for the knowledge and experience it has given me. Both in my own personal work as well as my clients.
I know we will all be OK
How do I know this? Because I have experiences of adversity and disaster in my history and as I sit here today writing this… I’m OK.
How to take care of yourself during this unfolding trauma
We are moving through a collective experience. We will all be affected in different ways. How we feel each moment and how we respond and react is based on our unique experience.
There are two important things to think about as we move through this:
- Trauma we have been through in the past is stored in our bodies. So – you will most likely have feelings surface, or re-surface, that may not make sense to you. Maybe you are feeling panic or fear and don’t understand it, or maybe you are feeling super stressed, more than others. Maybe you have a lot of anger coming out. Just reflect on what you are feeling to see if it makes sense
- Your feelings drive your behavior. Are you feeling any extremes? Did you overly prep, or under prep? Are you somewhere in the middle? Once you understand how your body works you can choose how you want to respond.
- Process this as we move through it. Are you finding your self ashamed at the way you are experiencing this crisis? Are you second guessing the feelings coming out or the behaviors you want to do or are doing? Your body is doing what it knows how to do. Have some compassion for yourself and try and understand, from a historical perspective, why you naturally want to respond the way you are.
This is new for everyone
We are all trying our best to move through it.
Self care. Self care. Self care.
Writing is good for the soul. My body has a desire to write this out. To express this journey. So it doesn’t get blocked and stored. I want to move through this as authentic and present as I can.
How do you care for your self?.
Phone / Video Therapy sessions available
If you find that past trauma is rising, we are here to help. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, scared, or having a hard time understanding what is happening, we are here to help. We can provide individual counseling and couples counseling online or via video for residents who reside in NY and NJ.
Just reach out. 732.266.8994. info@thrivecounselingnj.com