Being Gentle With Ourselves

I had intended to write this post last week. But, in the spirit of the topic, I'm being gentle with myself in recognising and accepting that it didn't happen. But it's happening now and that is good enough. 

Last week at work, we had a covid scare with one of our consumers which led to an essential service mode of only two staff on (neither of us working directly with this consumer) for 12 hours each. No one else could or would go in so I worked 3 12 hour days. Because of the scare, they were stressful, long days. Fortunately our consumer tested negative.  And everything returned to normal after 4 days. But I recognised the stress I felt and was able to get the rest of my shifts off that week. Internally, I had to argue down my Dad's voice (although he would say differently these days) and externally Rob's voice somewhat and even the voices of some of my co-workers in doing that. But I knew in my body, in the release I felt, on my last day of the 12 hour shift that I was making the right decision for myself.  I had to honour that. Also last weekend, Canada experienced our worst mass shooting ever which was heartbreaking, horrific and difficult to process as all mass shootings are.

​Even though I could have easily beaten myself up about my decision and not relaxed into my days off, I chose not to. Ideally I don't return to work until Wednesday evening so I'll have had a full week off. Already I feel so much more refreshed. In being gentle with myself I have honoured myself.

I get my horoscope and tarot pull through email everyday. I don't usually read them unless I feel a particular urge to. On my first day off last week, I felt compelled to read my horoscope and copied it in here as it fit into this theme and became a resounding YES! to my decision. It is also quite wise. Maybe you need to hear this today.

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I'm also being gentle with myself in this blog and am filling it up with some of my instagram posts from the past 20 days. Today is day 20 of the #100dayproject. I chose to participate as I operate well with little doable goals and each day I can feel like I've been creative which is immensely important and fulfilling to me.  I'm not sure if I can link to instagram here but this is my hashtag line.  #100daysofsybnoticing  I also don't know the right phraseology for that! I chose to post a haiku and (somewhat) relevant photo each day for 100 days. They're fun and can be challenging to create. I hope you enjoy them! And remember, be gentle with yourself. Treat yourself the way you treat those you love, with compassion and gentleness. And give yourself a huge hug from me.