🌎 Getting Through: The World Feels Heavy
Upcoming: Women's 20's & 30's Support Circle & FREE community mindfulness Monday September 9th 7pm EST
Hi friends,
Over the past few days and weeks, I have had countless conversations with friends, clients, and strangers about unexpected heaviness or despair. The person usually shares something like, “I feel distraught over this really horrible experience…” And as the discussion continues, the same person will often also bring up, “This really beautiful event also occurred or is on the horizon.”
I have written many times before about navigating the waves of life. For some reason, the heaviness I am hearing about (and personally experiencing) has felt especially heavy. Can anyone else relate?
One of my favorite parts about myself (haha) is that I know how to take care of myself. I know when I need to reach out for support, and I have an overflowing toolbox to choose from. So, last week, on Friday, I slipped out of work early and attended a Chao Dao tea ceremony. I didn’t know what to expect, but I followed my intuition to attend.
I spent over three hours of my afternoon in mostly silence and certainly without my cell phone. I would describe the tea ceremony as an interactive art exhibit. A small group of women, who mostly did not know each other, sat in a semi-circle on cozy pillows and a sheepskin rug, in a beautiful and warm home, surrounded by oak trees and mountain views.
I watched as the facilitator followed traditional practices—mostly new to me—with grace, attention, and care. There was no verbal description of what was happening, only an invitation to gently gaze with eyes open and watch the rituals that have been passed down for countless years. As I witnessed the tea being served, I appreciated the comfort that overcame my body. I saw so much love and structure in the typically conventional act of pouring tea.
During the tea ceremony, I was also offered what I had been running away from: the opportunity to sit in stillness with myself and my swirling mind. To close my eyes and feel the feelings I have been avoiding. It turns out, bringing presence to the mundane is a gift beyond measure.
Here are some ideas to help you get through, if you have been navigating intensity:
Make time for stillness: Put solo-time on your calendar and actually follow through with it, or find an event that holds you accountable. See what comes up from this time with yourself. (Join Monday, September 9th at 7pm EST for FREE We All Feel Community Mindfulness.)
Connect with community who gets it: This could be through joining a sports league, a book club, or a space like a We All Feel Support Circle, where you can connect more deeply.
Embrace structure in your routine: Structure doesn’t have to be serious—just like the gentle ritual of pouring tea, simple routines can offer comfort. Even small, enjoyable habits, like a morning stretch, lighting a candle while working, or going on an evening walk, can bring a sense of stability.
xoxo,
Amanda
PS In case no one told you today, I love you
PPS Book a call with me here to chat about the Women’s We All Feel 20’s & 30’s Support Circle
PPPS Monday September 9th at 7pm EST (4pm PST) for fifteen minutes of mindfulness online with community, no experience necessary