Snapping back to reality - good thing I rather don't mind that!

I love Summer! Autumn is my favourite season for so many reasons, but being a Summer baby (albeit the end of Summer!) I feel really connected with this season. And what a season Summer 2024 has been!

It's been a season of recovery, discovery with a little adventure thrown in!

Spring saw my second knee operation, starting a new p/t time role at Lancaster University and building Aja Therapies further. Spring also brought acceptance of adjusting to being disabled and what that looked like for me now.

I am a POWERHOUSE and I am indestructible!

Summer started with stress...acceptance is a process, I continually remind myself of this! Acceptance of so many things out of my power. But with acceptance, comes relief. Relief from the stressors burdening you. Also with that relief comes freedom...Freedom to live that optimum, finest version of yourself, without guilt and without self-judgement.

Summer is celebrated with a Solstice; the longest day of the year has come and gone. Sol shining at her highest peak in the sky and now we are winding down with the nights slowly getting longer again as we move into the next seasonal phase. But alas! Summer is still here and there is still yet time to enjoy Sol!

So how have you enjoyed your Summer?

I've tried to take in as much sun as I can when I can. Did you know that you only need 10-30minutes of sunshine a day to support maintaining healthy blood levels. Now if you're melanin poppin' in the same way as I, then you may need a little bit more, hence why I'm stocking up whilst I can! If you had/have the luxury of going abroad to warmer climates as I did this Summer (I would highly recommend Athens if you're into Ancient history!) it is important to look after yourself...

Hydration and eating regularly is key for so many reasons. First dehydration can present as anxiety such as dry mouth, sweating, palpitations, or headaches. Equally not eating can present the same, such as making you shake, feel nauseous or struggling to maintain concentration and focus. When in Athens, I really struggled to eat because of the heat and so I tried to maintain my sugar levels with sugared caffeinated drinks as well as staying hydrated with water. Now this is not the healthiest of techniques, however, we were doing a lot of walking. I ate very little but as often as I could stomach food; snacking on high fibre or protein snacks and foods like nuts (in the form of delicious baklava) or bread with hummus. The worst part is knowing you need to eat but just not having the appetite for it! I had to be kind with myself. I had to rationalise that I am trying to challenge the physiological block as well as the cognitive one. I told myself that this was temporary. That is is because I am somewhere new, I mean I had never even been t Greece so did not know what to expect. I also didn't want this to impact my ability to enjoy my holiday, so I didn't allow it to! Because I had that power.

It feels good taking control of your mindset. So much of us is ran automatically in our autonomic system, but I have control of the somatic system and if it is as simple as mind over matter then I am in control of said mind. I recognise that my routines are different, my environment is different, my habits abroad are different. And with all that change of course my Neurospicy mind and body went into a frenzy! I love routine, I love structure, I love the foods and drinks that I've tried and tested.

Mindfulness will always be my saving grace. I get that it's not for everyone. It took years before I really took on Mindfulness properly. I remember writing an essay in my nurse training about Mindfulness-based CBT and it changed my understanding of Mindfulness as a practice and I've successfully been able to utilise it since. Being able to ground myself in a way that supports calming myself physiologically, supporting me with sleep, supporting the rage and just helping give me some clarity in my mind. Mindful breathing is key, if one is able to master this then Mindfulness can be applied to any activity. I practice Mindfulness several times a day as I feel it helps me stay in control. I'll post a Mindful breathing video soon.

I choose the direction of the chapters in my story...

Our personal narrative and self-identity is so important. It's all about what we manifest for ourself. We have the power over our story even if our mind and body want to trick us into believing differently. Looking after ourselves inside and outside is important. Gaining an ability to adapt to the variables out of my control puts me back in control. But recognising I still have the power to take control even when thrown out of sync helps empower that calm sense of self that keeps me feeling the optimum version of ourself.

I love Summer! As I return to my usual routines, I reflect on my Summer thus far. I gave myself time to rest and put boundaries in place to protect my energy. More highs than lows is always a bonus - such is life though and I accept the lows with the highs as I know I can overcome them. Time to rest - yes said a second time because with all that I've been doing I needed to give myself a day to do nothing; so I did nothing but stay in bed all day and binge watched a series I've been watching for what feels like FOREVER!! Adventures overseas - life is for living, and there's all that world to explore! Connecting with friends and family. Celebrations of many a welcome to Earth day's - my kindred Summer baba's. Love, laughter & happiness. And still another month to go! Looking forward to the rest of August! I hope you are too!

Life is like a rollercoaster, thrilling and terrifying all at the same time!