Roadmap through Overwhelm | Excerpt from Newsletter
Pole Dance, like other forms of creative expression and physical activity, can be a very powerful element contributing to enjoying fulfillment in our lives. For anyone who has ever plateaued in their training, gone through an injury, or compared yourself to someone on a screen, you understand that this powerful proverbial sword cuts both ways. Pole dancing, or whatever else we passionately engage with can sometimes be like the perfect wood to feed our inner bonfire. Other times, it can be like the damp log that gives us smoke inhalation and burn out. <chokes sympathetically>
In order to be in command of our inner fire, we cannot just rely on our ride or die creative and physical outlets to keep us regulated. We need other tools that will keep our psyches fit to endure what and when we must, so that we can receive more opportunities for joy and enjoyment in life.
In honor of all the people who lent me a helping hand, gave me grace, or offered me a priceless gem of wisdom, I want to share with ya’ll some tools that have helped me remain stable when facing lots of challenges. We are all special snowflakes so, what works for me will not always work for other snowflakes.
Disclaimer: Sanctuary is not a therapeutic space, it is a dance, movement, healing and wellness space. (If you are looking for a therapist, please reach out and we will try to point you to the right resources for you.)
A ROADMAP THROUGH OVERWHELM
When you first notice you feel like ****, check in with your breath. If you notice you are holding your breath, release it and take a few slow intentional breaths.
Do a brief scan of your body. What is your current posture like? Are you feeling stiffness, discomfort, or pain? Try changing up your body position frequently and do some very pleasant gentle stretching. I personally love a good cat/cow.
Remind yourself of any supports that are currently accessible but, also allow yourself to validate the ways you feel you are missing support.
Maintain your self-compassion and self-grace
Remind yourself that everyone’s capacity fluctuates and that is okay: “I can only do what I can in any given moment, sometimes that is nothing at all.” That is relatable to all humans.
Keep it simple by zooming in: have you been drinking enough water? Intaking enough nutrients? Sleeping enough or too much? (During any of these self-assessments, refrain from judging yourself. Simply notice with compassion)
Write out a task list to help prioritize and organize
Assess the relative urgency of the tasks you are facing. Recognize wants versus needs and consider the order of operations (first this, then that). Give yourself permission to back-burner your less urgent to-dos
Step into an incrementalist mentality of “one step at a time, one day at a time”. Refuse to put pressure on yourself to do and solve everything at once.
Keep checking in with your breath.
Allow yourself to release the pressure valve of emotional overwhelm when it arises, versus stuffing it down. Some good ways of doing this are crying, dancing, journaling or making art. Screaming into the void is one of my faves. You can do this into a pillow, at the ocean, in the woods, etc. (In some cases, you may want to be mindful of your surroundings before you let the scream out.)