So much has happened From March-July. Deaths, ‘Ronas, shut downs, pre-mature re-openings, rekindled friendships and confirmation to keep the distance.
I was laid off from a position I adored. My former Co-workers, the location and the students: I loved them all. However, because of COVID-19, my job shut down. When reality set in I wasn’t coming back, it devastated me. As I got settled with the “new normal” I realized the time I had at home.
I released a three book poetry series called: Release. I uploaded new videos on my YouTube page, did a voice over gig, continued working on my novel (I’m 5 chapters away from finishing my first draft) and I began writing letters to a select few people. Phoenix was outchea being productive, ya’ll!
More importantly, I learned to listen to my body and take heed to red flags and green ones. I was so focused on my emotional and spiritual well-being. My physical being was left in the corner somewhere.
Makes sense, though. We’re taught to work hard and leave our physical wellbeing by the wayside until we end up in hospital. Because that proves how much of a good lil’ worker bee we are.
When I was twenty-one, I got sick (I think it was a nasty flu) and some loved ones were still proud of me for still showing up to work and being sent home… because it showed that I’m a hard-working individual.
I grew up working like a horse, putting myself last and serving others before myself. I’m growing out of that, but these past few months have highlighted my lack of listening to my body.
When May 2020 rolled in, I was more present and mindful of my body. I would work on some freelancing stuff or my poetry series and my body would feel tired. I took a nap. When my muscles were tight, I took an Epsom salt bath. I am still researching skin care routines that work for me. I have found that the Indian Aztec healing clay mask works along with a daily cleanser. As simple as the above sounds, it was hard for me. I still sometimes feel guilty for not always being over productive and listening to my body. IE: My fiancé has been mentioning that I stretch. I get my mind to stretch, but it’s: Let me get this last line in for this poem, let me prep the food for dinner. Let me write this e-mail. Blah Blah Blah. I haven’t been stretching, but I’m getting there.
We’ve got to listen to our body and make our bodies a priority. We shouldn’t have to wait until we’re sick, burnt out or in pain to pay attention. Rest, recover, and release before anything else. When we listen to our bodies, an improvement of health and pleasure transpires. When we look into small red flags that are waving from our bodies instead of suppressing the red flags, we give space for a remedy. In a society that often supports suppressing uncomfortable feelings instead of addressing it head on- this can be challenging at first. Especially for people who grew up in a similar environment as my own: We’re trained and taught to take care of others initially. While we rub our lower back in pain, we’re helping our under the weather loved one. However, if we keep ignoring that back pain or that restlessness, we’ll be in for a more hectic ride later on in life—> That could have been avoided.
Being home has snuffed out various distractions that have clouded my awareness of resting and paying attention to my body.
Show your body love and care. When our loved ones are sick, we are quick to be of aid. Let us show up for our own bodies!
You is first = The art of letting go in poetry form. Releasing whatever holds you back from being your best self.
Cycles is second = Expressing and releasing my outrage of the cyclical mess our country keeps rotating.
Love Defamed is third = Releasing love that has grown stale—love that isn’t love at all, but cunning manipulation in disguise that keeps us from growing and being our most vibrant selves.
Blog header Photo Cred: Retha Ferguson
10 years in this thing (slurps my luxurious ramen noodles and sips my bougie instant coffee). Anyway…I wanted to celebrate a decade as an indie author with the release of my eighth poetry collection, Rising From the Shadows. Pre-orders are now available for a December 10th release!