Releasing What No Longer Serves
Spring has sprung and we won’t let a little late falling snow keep us from putting the winter coats out of reach in the closet. It’s the perfect time of year to get out of the house and start socializing but before you head out - could we do some thought exercises? I promise it’ll only take a minute or two - followed by a lot of reflection which if you start now could really open up doors for summer!
Some of us spent winter in retreat - closer to family and those we live with - and spring tends to bring us out of that and into more opportunities for relationship-building outside of the home. Now is a good time to think about what the last six or so months provided you: what is stability? Clarity? Confusion? Better or worse relationships? Identity crisis?!
Whatever the lessons, big or small, let’s acknowledge our stories and envision what moving forward looks like with more reflective narratives in tow.
“No matter who you are or where you come from, the human spirit wants—no, needs—to be validated. While story means so much in every culture and ethnicity, I know that black folk, no matter how they got here, are planted in story and shared lived experience. It’s the way we witness.” [x]
Give yourself time to think and reflect. This can be aloud, with someone you trust, or in a journal.
What have you been feeling lately?
What has been inspiring?
What has been a pain?
Who have you connected with?
Do you feel stuck anywhere?
Accept your experiences. Your story is valid and important. If you felt hurt by something or someone, agree with that feeling. If you felt empowered by something or someone, agree with that feeling.
Identify what is and isn’t serving you. Even if it gave you everything six months ago, it may no longer be giving.
Let go or hold closer. It can be hard to say goodbye to something or someone you once valued, or in some ways made you feel validated, but part of your growth requires trimming dead leaves or changing the soil. [x] And for the things that provide you what you need, lean into those and keep an eye out for anything that compliments.
Be patient with yourself and others. Change doesn’t happen overnight.
It’s time for a refresh. This is the time to move forward with a better understanding of who you are and what you value. When you show up for yourself in this way it radiates onto others and helps to build better relationships.
“Authenticity means you show your good side and bad side in a relationship, instead of a curated version of yourself. [...] people don’t want the performative version of you. To be truly authentic, we should share the good, the bad, and the ugly. This is an opportunity for greater connection.” [x]