I’m gonna be real with you guys, I’ve been struggling for what feels like the entire month of May. It’s been really really difficult to access joy, safety, self-compassion, connection… all the good things that usually keep me going.
But as of like, yesterday, I’m catching glimpses of the sun again — feeling moments of warmth and optimism and relief.
So it goes.
There’s always good and there’s always bad and there’s always ease and there’s always struggle and that’s just life, right?
Anyway, I wanted to share something with you that keeps me getting out of bed, moving another 5 yards and then another, when my inner world feels colorless.
I have a special toolkit.
It’s a physical list that I’ve been iterating for over a year now titled “Things that always make you feel at least 1% better”.
The list has a variety of lower and higher hanging fruit, but the common thread is that they all work, for me, consistently.
Plus something in small handwriting like “I know you want to rot in bed and you’re rolling your eyes at this but please just give one of these things a shot” because I know myself.
MY LIST OF THINGS THAT ALWAYS MAKE ME FEEL AT LEAST 1% BETTER:
- Hugs
- Cuddling my dog
- Being in nature, even just sitting in a local park
- Watching the sunset, especially from the beach
- Hot tea, on the couch, with my favorite blanket
- Billie Holiday (in general, emotional support music)
- Breathwork or meditations that take 3 minutes or less
- Putting my face in a bowl of ice water (3 x 15sec) I know it sounds weird, but it does things
- Closing my eyes and sitting in direct sunlight like a reptile
- Scream/crying in my car
- Jiu Jitsu, running, lifting
- If I absolutely cannot be bothered with the above, moving my body in some way, even just a walk around the block
- Dancing to some go-to jams, even if for the first minute it feels like the most forced thing I’ve ever done in my entire life
- Blowing bubbles with my dog. He tries to eat them and it’s cute.
- Curb Your Enthusiasm (this is my emotional support show)
- Writing gratitude lists or a persuasive essay disproving whatever dismal story I’m telling myself
- FaceTiming my friends… or ideally actually spending time with them. Especially the friends who I can just “be” with, rather than always having to “do” with — if that makes sense.
- Swimming
- Microdosing
- Cooking a new recipe. Nothing too crazy though.
- Reading my book while my dog plays at the dog park.
- Going to bed earlier than normal
- Eating nutrient dense foods, and enough of them
If you read that, I love you.
It would make me so happy if you commented and told me something(s) in your personal toolkit. I’m curious. 🙂
Peace & Love,
Sofia Huston