5 things to help yourself besides intuitive painting…
Take your meds and let no one tell you otherwise: Whatever “meds” look like for you whether its a prescription medication or deep self care that you partake in to support yourself, or some combination, be sure to be consistent with whatever is working. For me this is painting and writing and hugging my peeps, not too much alcohol and going outside with Big Stella.
Keep on keeping on. Sometimes we start to feel better and we forget our highs and lows and we feel like we can let go of the practices that have held us. Don’t abandon yourself by thinking that you don’t need that care any longer. Sometimes I jump up and walk the doggo and get my self care going and other times I try to bail on myself. I’m learning more and more to just do the thing before I can talk myself out of it. Keep on truckin’.
Write yourself love notes. - When you’re feeling really good write down how you feel -
“Dear Julee~ Today was so beautiful. I just love nature, big blue skies, flowers, little animals bring me joy, Alexia’s laughter sounds like sunshine to me, I laughed really loudly at least 5 times today, I love the taste of toast. You actually ARE really funny. Love, Julee”
When you’re feeling that sinking feeling write that too so that you can remember “the point” of taking your meds.
“Dear Julee, Today was really hard, but I survived. I walked, I drank a lake’s worth of water, I asked for hugs. It still felt like the whole world was sitting on my heart and like I would never feel sunshine again. We made it. I love you. Love, Julee”
Take good care of all of the versions of yourselves - fight like hell to keep her and when you lose her go find her and bring her back.
Know your buttons. Easy buttons vs. Reset buttons
~ Easy buttons (ways that you abandon yourself) boozing, binging, shopping, snarking, comparing, sugar, negative reviews
~ Reset Buttons(little things that feel really good) glass of water, take a walk, soak in the bath, practice yoga, meditate, be in nature, play, hug, put your phone away
We are the best people! Our magic is inside our struggle and being closer to the struggles that we’ve gone through gives us understanding in order to make art, heal, help and just be willing to hear the hard things.
You got this. I got this. Together we can do hard things.
xo
Jul