dailyconnectionwithnature Mental Health nature slowlivingactivism

Resetting the psyche

March 18, 2019

There’s no telling when an emotional slump will hit. These days I feel more able to root out the cause but it’s often not a single event, instead a few tiny insignificant things will collide in the psyche at the same time then snowball. Living slowly means I’m not hurtling into another project or drama or deadline without the time to check in with myself, which is the most amazing self-care self-gift. We’ve had a magical few days but still, I’m recognising the signs of nosediving which tend to be: obsessive phone checking; battling conversations/emails/chats around the head and examining them from all angles until I find the one where I’m shit; eating really quickly and only wanting processed foods/dairy/bread then feeling lethargic and down; not being able to focus on the work I have to do; avoiding meaningful conversations/emails/messages; seeking approval from the wrong people; along with various other forms of self-sabotage depending upon what I’m involved with at the time. These can often prompt a flurry of online happyhappyhappy activity – which is also something I’m only just becoming aware of. Anyway Andy dragged me out for a beach walk with the hounds which meant that we then became utterly depressed at all the rubbish washed up with the last storm. He grabbed some wheelie bins from behind a closed beach bar and we ended up filling three of them with plastic bottles & drinks cans. I love him for instigating an impromptu beach tidy under the aerial displays of a small hawk harrying at a buzzard in azure skies. This made me wonder if a bit of eco-care isn’t just as good as self-care. It felt it. Definitely a reminder that even when we can’t change the world, we can change our tiny bit of it, for today. Sometimes that is everything. Still, the sea has called me to swim and I’ve declined. For today. I love being online because it reminds me of all the people working to create change, or beauty, or to immerse in nature; and these are the people I follow for inspiration, but still, too much of anything isn’t good. So I’m going to take a few days away by just switching off the phone and leaving the laptop offline. I’m going to eat greens and fruit (always makes me feel better), drink herbal teas, knit, read, swim in the sea, hike, work on the novel, and just let the psyche reset. Photo from Saturday morning hike to a palm tree forest ???

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2 Comments

  • Reply Sally Hirst March 18, 2019 at 7:59 pm

    Sophie. Your feelings resonate with me. Fortunately for me, and I think you, they pass. There is good in the world. You are part of it and your blog is always worth reading. I think your attempts to see the positive will work, and we will both continue the roller coaster that we call life!
    Best wishes. Sally

    • Reply Sophie McKeand March 20, 2019 at 10:14 am

      They do pass and you are so right there is so much to celebrate in the world. Thank you so much for taking time to read and comment – see you on the other side! xxx

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