It’s been quite the year. I’ve wanted to share what’s going on in my life here on this blog, as I have so many times in the past, but I’m in the middle of it and have been torn with how much to share.
In 2012, when I called off the wedding and left a toxic relationship I was quiet. I started processing and healing on my own before announcing it to the world.
In 2014, after my MS diagnosis, I announced it to the world the next day and had an outpouring of love and support and advice and it was so instrumental in my healing journey.
Since I’ve done the private & public journey of healing I’ve been very torn with how much to share.
The past few months have been filled with medical, alternative and supportive appointments for my physical and mental health. I’ve been prioritizing appointments with my health care team which includes my family doctor, a specialist, a naturopath (also my acupuncturist), a psychotherapist and more. I’m balancing going to 1 or 2 appointments during the workday (either first thing in the morning or late afternoon) and evening appointments (thank goodness for these)! Last week, I felt my intuition telling me to book an appointment with my reflexologist who is also an energy healer. She’s absolutely amazing and an hour spent on her table getting my feet massaged and chatting is always eye-opening.
She’s noticed that when I tell her what’s going on in my life, I use a really small voice. In the energy world, this is associated with your throat chakra. And for me, mine is extremely blocked. See I’ve felt drawn to share what’s going on with me as I have done so many times before, but I also feel drawn to keep things private. It’s extremely confusing for me so my reflexologist urged me to just write everything down until or if I ever am ready to share more publicly.
This blog as truly been a diary or journal for me before, so I’m just used to sharing what’s going on. Writing about it is a release for me. It’s therapy. But this time it’s different. There are way more things going on that I simply can’t (don’t want to) share and parts that I can (and want to).
So I’ve decided to do 2 things while I process the tough stuff in my life:
- I’m writing blog posts as if I was sharing because it’s so beneficial for me to write them and then saving them as drafts. Maybe one day I’ll feel drawn to share but for the moment… I just need to get it out and writing really helps me.
- I’ve decided to share exactly what I’m doing to support myself while undergoing a pretty stressful time. So that this is truly a place where you can feel connected with someone “going through something” but also find out tips and tricks you can incorporate into your life for trying times.
Does this sound like something you’re going through?
If you feel like you’re at the end of your rope. Like you’re experiencing the kind of stress when it feels like you simply can’t shoulder one more thing. I know how you feel.
It’s the kind of stress associated with endless medical tests. I can’t imagine I’ve got any more blood to be drawn for tests. Or the kind of stress when you just don’t have answers yet so you’re waiting on a plan of action.
It’s the kind of stress where the littlest things set you off, from someone’s comment in the office to a comment made on your Instagram online, to a passing remark by a stranger on the street.
It’s the kind of stress where you find yourself hiding in the bathroom at work so you can cry and release some emotion.
It’s the kind of stress where you come home from work and just unload the stress from the day on your husband and break down in tears and sobs that rake your body.
So how do you combat this kind of stress?
Mindfulness
I was gifted the book “Full Catastrophe Living” by my mother-in-law a few years ago now. It’s a thick book and I hadn’t felt drawn to read it until now. I picked it up a few months ago now when my naturopath and I were discussing my new supplement protocol but first and foremost, how I was going to address my stress management. I was really, really letting my perceived stress build-up.
Meditation & Reading
I used to start out my days fast. Make warm lemon water, a cup of coffee, jump in the car and head to the gym.
Now I simply crawl onto my meditation cushion in my home office with my cup of decaf coffee (detoxing off the real stuff was hard) and open my phone and the Insight Timer app. Then I choose one of the courses, guided meditations or simply the timer. After I finish a meditation, I’ll grab a book which is Full Catastrophe Living right now and read a chapter before doing any side hustle work or getting ready for work.
When I start my days like this I know I’m set up to tackle the day in a much calmer way than I am when I don’t. I can listen to my intuition more. And I can connect with my breath when difficult moments come.
Adaptiv
And last but not least, I’m using the newest calming blend by dōTERRA called Adaptiv. They released these products this year at convention and I couldn’t have been more excited.
Here’s how I’m using the three versions of the product.
- I’m taking one Adaptiv Calming Blend Capsule every morning with my warm lemon water and Turmeric Duo Chamber Capsule. The capsules have a beautiful essential oil blend (Lavender, Coriander, Wild Orange, and Fennel), Ahi Flower, GABA, and Sceletium.
- I keep the 10 ml Adaptiv roller bottle at my office so I can roll on my pulse points and palms to inhale several times during the day.
- I keep a 15 ml Adaptiv bottle in our bedroom for diffusing in the evening before bed and one in my home office so I can diffuse in the morning while meditating.
The blend is made up of Wild Orange, Lavender, Copaiba, Spearmint, Magnolia, Rosemary, Neroli, and Sweetgum.
Send me an email (robynbaldwin@gmail.com) if you’re interested in bringing Adaptiv into your routine.
If you’re going through a stressful time when you possibly can’t handle just one more thing. Know that I understand the enormity of what you may be feeling and I wish I could hug you just so you feel a little bit less alone.
Let me know if you look into bringing in one (or all) of these three things into your life. I’d love to hear how it supports you.