What Mexico Taught Me

Happy March Reader,

I'm burnt out. There's nothing like a vacation to show me how spent I am. 

How do I know? Because there I was, in a beautiful, tropical place but I couldn't relax. I struggled to be fully present and enjoy a holiday that was four years in-the-making. You can even see it in this picture - as serene and blissful the location, notice my stiff toes. As if on high alert.

The last five to ten years have been so taxing on my nervous system, it's become clear that there's more gunk to process. And truth be told, I'm sad. Difficult illnesses, deaths, grief, emotionally supporting others, caregiving dad and dealing with dementia for the second time... Despite all my self-care practices, it simply hasn't been enough to regulate my nervous system. Consistent stress and trauma gets stored in the body, so it seems more somatic work and some brain rewiring is due.

Upon my return home I had a massage lined up right away, a breathwork session, and I slept a lot. This past week I had acupuncture, made some Feng Shui tweaks to my sanctuary and just laid low. Up next, a session with my osteopath, a cacao ceremony + sound journey and EMDR therapy. I've also returned to a new self-care practice that I started before my trip to Mexico. 

But, I'll share more about that in another email in the coming days. This is plenty to digest for today.

Until then, take nourishing care of yourselves.

PS If you are new here, welcome. If you enjoy these love notes, be sure to whitelist my email so I don't get trashed. ❤