What does staying in balance tend to look like for you? No doubt you have experienced times in life when sustaining equilibrium can feel like you are tethered between two halves of a bridge and being pulled in opposite directions. When we feel at our breaking point, we tend to compromise our personal needs to maintain a sense of stability. However, in doing so, it only destabilizes our sense of self.
Everytime I have ever chosen to forgo my sense of self care, it was the beginning of a train derailment. It would happen in small increments; the little negotiations didn’t seem like much, until they were. Six months after my mother died, I had a panic attack in a Home Depot. It stemmed from my then fiance’ simply asking which large flower pot I thought was better. That one question resulted in me trying to gulp in air like I was suffocating, bent over, not sure if I was going to vomit. I had bypassed so much self nourishing because the “boat had to stay afloat”, but I almost drowned.
During intense times of crisis, change or cultivation we tend to get "a grip on things" by holding on tight and letting our self care go during the process. What we really need to do is allow for the fluctuation that is in all of life; especially in ourselves. Which means, relax your grasp on what you expect of yourself and dive in deeper in how you take care of yourself.
You don't have to figure it all out right now.
You don't have to please everyone.
You don't have to predict every outcome.
The priority is to take care of YourSelf.
Everything in life is energy. Every emotion, thought, action you take, conversation you share - it's all energy and energy continually fluctuates: it ebbs and flows, rises and lowers. Sometimes in a matter of seconds, others a matter of hours or weeks. When we allow ourselves to derail, we perpetuate a continual loss of energy that could otherwise be directed positively, productively and compassionately. Each time we dismiss a self need, we lose one more battery cell.
In a recent life shift, the changes felt tectonic in the ever moving kaleidoscope of life. Rather than bare down, I instead prioritized my self care. I gave myself room to breathe, step away, be present with my emotional responses, observe my thoughts and to ultimately recalibrate. I paid attention to when it felt like my seams were about to burst and was honest when I needed a break. Instead of saying “I’ll meditate tomorrow”, I almost made it devotional. I doubled down in what my self-care practices were, because when I take care of myself I stay grounded, attuned, balanced. If we only enable the insecurities to lead, we will constantly feel as though we’re on the defence and be reactive. When you choose self love, you choose a path of self compassion.
Take a few breaths. Step away. Take a time-out. I promise you; nothing is going to collapse around you or because of you. No one person can carry everything, especially not for long, so don't hang yourself out to dry. Get support, get informed, nourish your body, mind and soul because at the end of the day, the gem of who you are is a sacred essence. Treat yourself well, as worthy, and be kind to yourself. Find your innate balance in between - exist in the fluctuation, rather than try to be a stoic staple.
Tania Isaac is an experienced Spiritual Guidance Channeler, Pet Communicator, Integrative Energy Healer and certified yoga instructor who specializes in blending holistic modalities to create unique healing sessions. She is located in Santa Barbara, CA where she lives with her husband and their rescued dog Oreo. Her mission is to empower empaths and help individuals connect with their innate metaphysical and healing abilities. To learn more about her offerings, visit: www.taniaisaac.com