this is a good reminder, as I'm always on the move. my body has made it clear I when I need to slow down. now I'm working on listening to it more and keeping it "well tuned", as much as I can. 💛
When talking with Darling Bride about my writing, I felt tense until a recent bike ride. We talked about my next article, future ideas, how it is going in general. That day my endeavor changed from my own thing with her "that's nice, honey" to a thing she gives feedback on, asks questions, and gets my jokes. Integration!
I hate that you had to go through that, Shan. But I'm glad that you were able to feel the positive effects that slowing down brought.
I have had the opposite year; changing jobs brought me peace I never realized I was lacking. I began to take the time to mediate and to incorporate more yoga. I learned to practice deep breathing and breathwork exercises. I have literally never been calmer or had less stress than I have this school year. And with that--shocker! I have also never felt better.
The mind-body connection is astounding. I love how you so eloquently phrased that our bodies hold onto things long after our minds have moved on.
Thank you, Love! With them changing our entire program for next year (tell you about that when I see you), it may be a rough year, so I am trying hard to make sure these habits are so instilled that I can immediately default to how I feel now.
How did I miss this series? I certainly felt this post, so I'm going back for the others.
This year - so far- has truly felt like my body catching up to my new retirement pace. No longer ruled by schedules and the plans and goals of others, I have been able to construct my own. I think my body was holding some protection of strength in case this new life wasn't permanent, but is just now easing into the trust of what our new days are like. It feels like integration, indeed! Thanks for helping me name this feeling❣️
When I started paying attention to my body a few years ago, I noticed the micro tensions.
My leg constantly had issues, and then I realized it was tied to hidden tension I was holding in my glutes. Just that side! I learned to pay attention to it and relax it. Same thing with my shoulders.
If we don’t pay attention to how we’re reacting to a situation, our body starts bracing for minor triggers.
I love how you bring these ideas forward through your beautiful words and beautiful illustrations!
I love this, James! I keep returning to the ways my body holds these patterns, it really does take attention and breath work. I’m so happy you are leading the way for us!
As someone still trying to heal from a yoga (or maybe it was pilates too, still not sure) from almost a year ago, phewwwww. The practice meant to heal me is what's been hurting me, I put my over functioning on something else. The body has caught up. ❤️🩹
I was really pushing myself too hard. I started to get really fit and got cocky! Ha! Well, learned the hard way that I need to slow down and go back to basics.
"Integration is when the inner and outer worlds stop pulling in different directions."
Yep. I remember talking to my therapist years ago about how I would know when things were integrated. And then the first time I moved forward without the necessity of the tool, I felt what integration feels like in the body. It takes repetition.
Now I know exactly what integration feels like. And I just trust that it will come with the work. 😊
I've been clenching my jaw more than usual. Waking up with headaches and stiff jaw. Money issues and novel writing procrastination. Its really true how our mind effects the body. And I love how you've made me think I should talk to myself about these things effecting my jaw clenching! Maybe even just saying it here releases some of it xx
First off, I'm sorry to hear about the injury and for how long it had you on the shelf for. I've had year-long injuries before as well and they are not fun. It sounds like you're in a better place, and I hope that's the case 🙂
"My schedule stayed full, but the way I held it changed."
I loved this, and it's something I need.
This year my body has been holding too much. I've seen the return of this icky feeling I can't get rid of. It sits inside of my chest and I can't get rid of it without a bunch of deep breaths (I've had it for years and talked with my doctor about it, so there's nothing that's wrong-wrong). It also means my shoulders and jaw are also holding stress, but this odd feeling inside my chest is what's impossible to ignore. I'd gotten rid of that feeling for a year or two with a long break from work as well as experimenting with SSRIs. But this year it's made a comeback. My guess is it's because of work, but the thing is, work is entirely self-imposed. I've been making more commitments, and they are starting to cause friction inside. I can ignore friction for a long time, but that is what steamrolled me into two medical leaves in two years, so I'm currently trying to figure out ways to lessen my schedule. I think I know what the answer is, but it's not something I want to admit because it'll mean doing away with something I enjoy. Anyway, I think that's what I'm currently in the middle of right now. Lots of pressure caused entirely by myself.
Thanks for asking that question. CLEARLY I needed a space to work through some things 😂
this is a good reminder, as I'm always on the move. my body has made it clear I when I need to slow down. now I'm working on listening to it more and keeping it "well tuned", as much as I can. 💛
Oooohhh I love that! “Well tuned” indeed! 👏
This is my breakout year, now if only the year would catch up with my intention and integration. 🙂
Yasss! Your breakout year. I see it integrating!!!! 💥💥💥
When talking with Darling Bride about my writing, I felt tense until a recent bike ride. We talked about my next article, future ideas, how it is going in general. That day my endeavor changed from my own thing with her "that's nice, honey" to a thing she gives feedback on, asks questions, and gets my jokes. Integration!
Ooohhh! I love this!! So wonderful to have a feedback partner!
I hate that you had to go through that, Shan. But I'm glad that you were able to feel the positive effects that slowing down brought.
I have had the opposite year; changing jobs brought me peace I never realized I was lacking. I began to take the time to mediate and to incorporate more yoga. I learned to practice deep breathing and breathwork exercises. I have literally never been calmer or had less stress than I have this school year. And with that--shocker! I have also never felt better.
The mind-body connection is astounding. I love how you so eloquently phrased that our bodies hold onto things long after our minds have moved on.
This is so awesome, and well deserved! I’m so happy you have more space to slow down and find more peace this year. What a win!
Thank you, Love! With them changing our entire program for next year (tell you about that when I see you), it may be a rough year, so I am trying hard to make sure these habits are so instilled that I can immediately default to how I feel now.
🩷🩷🩷
How did I miss this series? I certainly felt this post, so I'm going back for the others.
This year - so far- has truly felt like my body catching up to my new retirement pace. No longer ruled by schedules and the plans and goals of others, I have been able to construct my own. I think my body was holding some protection of strength in case this new life wasn't permanent, but is just now easing into the trust of what our new days are like. It feels like integration, indeed! Thanks for helping me name this feeling❣️
It’s really wild to watch the way we hold these things, often without realizing it!! I’m so glad you found it and thank you for reading! ☀️☀️
Beautiful visuals!! And beautiful message.
When I started paying attention to my body a few years ago, I noticed the micro tensions.
My leg constantly had issues, and then I realized it was tied to hidden tension I was holding in my glutes. Just that side! I learned to pay attention to it and relax it. Same thing with my shoulders.
If we don’t pay attention to how we’re reacting to a situation, our body starts bracing for minor triggers.
I love how you bring these ideas forward through your beautiful words and beautiful illustrations!
It takes so much awareness to notice what our bodies hold. I so appreciate you and feel seen by your comment. 💕💕
Your definition of integration is excellent!
At age 50 I learned to breathe deeply and relax when my lower back hurt or my jaw tightened.
At 65 the little aches and pains are becoming more frequent... I spend most of my day breathing deeply and relaxing.
I love this, James! I keep returning to the ways my body holds these patterns, it really does take attention and breath work. I’m so happy you are leading the way for us!
Ahhhhh, we made it! I’ve loved this journey of flow!
Only one more left in the series!!!! Been a fun one. And I always appreciate your unwavering support!!!!! 🔆
As someone still trying to heal from a yoga (or maybe it was pilates too, still not sure) from almost a year ago, phewwwww. The practice meant to heal me is what's been hurting me, I put my over functioning on something else. The body has caught up. ❤️🩹
I was really pushing myself too hard. I started to get really fit and got cocky! Ha! Well, learned the hard way that I need to slow down and go back to basics.
I took my friends to a yoga class. Charles (here on Substack) “were you showing off?” It hadn’t occurred to me, maybe, yes. Oops.
Who me? Show off? Never. Hahaha! 🙊
The editorial style visuals are awesome!!!
And thank you for giving me such great tips. I love leapfrogging off your prompts.
🩷🩷 I love seeing everything you create
I'm so happy about it! Hahaha! I had to share it with someone. ✨
"Integration is when the inner and outer worlds stop pulling in different directions."
Yep. I remember talking to my therapist years ago about how I would know when things were integrated. And then the first time I moved forward without the necessity of the tool, I felt what integration feels like in the body. It takes repetition.
Now I know exactly what integration feels like. And I just trust that it will come with the work. 😊
Ah!!!!!!! I love this Leo!!! Such a great feeling to have and understand. 💕
That's why you are hope!
Looking forward to trying this
It really helps me!!! Big hugs my friend ✨
I've been clenching my jaw more than usual. Waking up with headaches and stiff jaw. Money issues and novel writing procrastination. Its really true how our mind effects the body. And I love how you've made me think I should talk to myself about these things effecting my jaw clenching! Maybe even just saying it here releases some of it xx
First off, I'm sorry to hear about the injury and for how long it had you on the shelf for. I've had year-long injuries before as well and they are not fun. It sounds like you're in a better place, and I hope that's the case 🙂
"My schedule stayed full, but the way I held it changed."
I loved this, and it's something I need.
This year my body has been holding too much. I've seen the return of this icky feeling I can't get rid of. It sits inside of my chest and I can't get rid of it without a bunch of deep breaths (I've had it for years and talked with my doctor about it, so there's nothing that's wrong-wrong). It also means my shoulders and jaw are also holding stress, but this odd feeling inside my chest is what's impossible to ignore. I'd gotten rid of that feeling for a year or two with a long break from work as well as experimenting with SSRIs. But this year it's made a comeback. My guess is it's because of work, but the thing is, work is entirely self-imposed. I've been making more commitments, and they are starting to cause friction inside. I can ignore friction for a long time, but that is what steamrolled me into two medical leaves in two years, so I'm currently trying to figure out ways to lessen my schedule. I think I know what the answer is, but it's not something I want to admit because it'll mean doing away with something I enjoy. Anyway, I think that's what I'm currently in the middle of right now. Lots of pressure caused entirely by myself.
Thanks for asking that question. CLEARLY I needed a space to work through some things 😂