Chapter 1: Hard times

Comfort, coping, and just hanging on

Goooooooooooood morning, afternoon, or evening, wherever you might happen to be!

I‘m starting this week hoping that it will be a lot better than the last one. We’ve had pet emergencies, childcare crises, and more chez nous. It hasn’t been easy.

So I thought this would be the perfect time for a reminder of how important it is to take care of yourself during hard times.

Know your limits

‘A man’s got to know his limitations.’ So says Dirty Harry, anyway. And I think I agree. I happen to have hit my limitations in the middle of last week. And while I’d much rather schedule that sort of thing for just before the weekend, it did encourage me to focus on the important stuff.

Know your needs

When the merde hits the ventilateur, focus on your basic needs. Some of those are the same for everyone (food, shelter). Some vary (I personally need quiet when I’m struggling). But figure it out, and then do whatever you can to get those needs met (including asking for help or leeway).

Be gentle

Be especially gentle with yourself. I don’t know about you, but when I start to hit my limits I immediately start to feel bad about hitting my limits. Which is so ridiculous! If I’m at my limit, that’s IT, right?! There’s nothing I can do about that!

And yet….

Which is why this week I’m leaving you with this wonderful sign-off from one Lucia Lorenzi, whose wise words I’ve long held close:

‘Goodnight, dear friends, and be gentle with yourselves, in whichever form that gentleness comes.’

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VB,

M