Kia ora lovely humans!
While I’ve been hanging out in the power of a solid “No,” my therapist reminded me recently of the power of a full body “Yes”.... to MYSELF.
I’m going to a workshop shortly for my mahi (work) which is a significant amount of time away from my whānau (family). I’m not sure about you, but I tend to feel like if I am spending time away from my family, there’s a ton of things that I “need to do” to ensure that things are ready for when I go. I’m not sure where this onerous sense of responsibility comes from, but I’d have a guess it starts with the patriarchy. And my therapist recently called me out on it. I was telling her about all the things I was organising for my whānau for when I was away - meals in the freezer, organising presents and outfits for an event they will attend while I’m gone, writing lists etc and she said, “yeah, cool, I can hear how you’re taking care of your family, but how are you walking into this training with a full yes to yourself?” Uffff. Yeah, ok, you got me there.
So I looked at the list again - and I checked in with myself - what am I really willing to do here? And where is that willingness really coming from? Is it obligation? Is it a sense of responsibility that isn’t mine? Or is it love? And I’ve ditched half the list and completed what I feel true willingness for from a place of love.
Now I’m focussing on how I can say yes to myself for this workshop. How will I care for myself? How will I show up for me? What do I need to feel ready? It’s another list, but it’s away from all the hats I wear… and I’m vibing it.
So if you’re a list maker like me, I’d love to invite you to take another look at whatever list is in front of you today and feel into each item…. Do you really need to do all of that? Can you delegate? Can you take stuff off that actually isn’t necessary? What makes you think each item is needed? And then… What on here says yes to me? What brings me joy? Pleasure? Lightness? Add that. Do that.
Feeling sleep deprived?
Do you have a Yes for a sleep related workshop that approaches sleep from an Aware Parenting perspective? Clients are often reaching out to me to talk about sleep (or lack thereof) and I wondered if a self-directed workshop covering the basics would feel supportive? Let me know!
Send me your questions:
Send me an email reply if you’d like me to answer a specific question next month.
Māmā melody for the month:
The Māmā melody for this month was my anthem when I was making some huge life changing shifts - Fetch your life by Prince Kaybee.
Sending you so much love and compassion,
Aroha nui Māmā,
Kirsty
Comentarios