"The Power of Resilience: Navigating Pain to Find Balance and Healing"

Hey Friend. Can we talk? Like, can we REALLY have an open and honest conversation about pain...trauma, and the power of resilience? Yes. This is a travel blog. However, in order to find the resolve we need, at times we must step outside the box and disrupt familiar norms. Before we proceed, however, I must confess that I am not a doctor or a licensed professional; although, the thought of medical school intrigues me, I am but a humble writer who admires the medical profession from afar. The information shared here is my own personal experience, and the methods I've used to help me navigate my own healing journey. Your journey is unique to you. My hope, however, is that our shared experiences will open the door to a broader (and honest) conversation around emotional and mental well-being.

Now that formalities are out of the way, grab your beverage of choice, and let's talk healing.

I have always fancied myself a free-spirited person--convention and constraint do not reside in my vernacular. Admittedly, I become rather irritable and unruly when I am unable to move about untethered, or when life becomes (dare I say) mundane. Forward movement keeps my mind occupied, and it gives me something to focus on and something to look forward to. Notwithstanding this busyness, stillness, prayer and meditation are just as, if not more so, imperative to my soul; prayer keeps me grounded, and meditation helps me to feel connected to those who came before me.

...

The pandemic was the perfect storm for the undercurrents of my depression to float to the surface; I was both granted the clearance to be still for a bit, but forced to be still for far longer than I wanted. A once balanced approach to my mental well-being--forward movement, yet, stillness as needed--became a warring concept that I no longer recognized. Like most of us dealing with pain, trauma or depression, I cried more in 2020 than I have ever cried in my life; I say this confidently. Although I became withdrawn, moody and sad, I knew I needed resources to help pull me through. You see, my kids needed me. My husband needed me. More importantly, however, I needed me to show up healthy for myself.

To reintroduce myself to the balance I needed, I focused on the following:

1. Find a therapist that I trust

2. Get outdoors and exercise

3. Find books on healing

4. Journaling

5. Meditation

6. Release the things (and people) that no longer serve me

7. Plan a solo trip

I cannot construct an inaccurate narrative that I got all of these things right all of the time, and life was perfect again after this. No. It took several frustrating instances of me falling (and flailing), getting back up, and falling (and flailing) again before I finally found a routine that worked for me. Friend, life is rough. But, you are resilient! You are worthy of getting back up again and again until you rediscover the balance you need to stand tall. Give yourself some grace. You are strong. You are brave. You are fearless.

Books that helped me navigate my storm (completely unsponsored):

1. How we Heal - Alexandra Elle

2. After the Rain - Alexandra Elle

3. Today, I affirm (Journal) - Alexandra Elle

4. The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz

5. Hurt People Hurt People - Sandra Wilson

6. The Untethered Soul - Michael A Singer

7. The Daily Stoic - Ryan Holiday

8. The Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle

9. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse - Charlie Mackesy

May you find hope.

Revelation 21:4