Cleaning Up Debris: How to Self-Care After the Storm

I’ve been feeling a bit like Chicken Little over the past several days! It seems like every level of chaos has been kicked up in the Universe and we’re all scrambling for cover because, hey, “The sky IS falling!!” Are any of you experiencing this or is it just me?

It is not uncommon for life to show up with the big guns sometimes and challenge us with overwhelming obstacles. Whether it is adjusting to a new position at work, starting a new business, or re-establishing yourself after a divorce, we can find ourselves struggling against the winds of change. Just know that transitions can be very difficult. There’s nothing easy about moving on after life sends you a hurricane! Remember to give yourself some grace and know that you are not alone. We’re right here, facing life’s craziness with you.

I know that it is hard to process right now but here is the good news: we can manage these life storms! The road to recovery can be arduous but doable, with the help of our friends. Having a support system that provides you with the following resources can help you progress from barely surviving the storm to thriving in spite of it! Here are some ways to do just that.

The Who of Self Care

Who are your people? You know, the ones you KNOW will be there for you when things get hard. Who are they? It is important to know the answer to this before you experience life storms. Because we all need them! There’s nothing like having that person that you never have to second-guess about; the one that will provide you with the support you need to successfully get through the crisis.

  1. The “Just Be Yourself” Friend – Your safe space during the storm. They don’t give a rip about whether you have on make-up or deodorant; they will accept you just the way you are. They are so nurturing that will know if you have that friend in your life because they are one of the first people you want to call in a crisis. So, do it. They will be there and they will embrace your vulnerability in a way that brings healing.
  2. The “Warrior” Friend – Will go to battle with you in a heartbeat. They are fiercely loyal and protective and will not allow you to feel like you in the storm alone. They’re not afraid to give your storm a piece of their mind and dare it to howl back. When it’s time to be assertive and fight back, they will link arms with you without batting an eye. And, they will be there to help you clean up the aftermath of your crisis because they are there until the end.
  3. The “Wise One” – Provides honest, authentic feedback that helps you identify key elements about the storm that you may not have noticed before. Their perspective is usually global thus there is a wealth of insight and awareness there. Revelation happens when talking to this person so don’t shy away from the crucial conversation.

The What of Self Care

My friend, Carlie, wrote an article called, “Bath is Not Self Care.” She explored the difference between expected daily hygiene and healthy self-care practices. And, I agree with her point. Hiding in the bathroom for a temporary reprieve from the shenanigans of my little Spartans isn’t self-care; it’s a little break. Self-care is so much more than that!

  1. Self-care brings you peace – it allows you space to set aside your heightened anxiety and breathe. Activities that help you come back to center and settles you into the present are the best of self-care.
  2. Self-care increases joy – life doesn’t become perfect because of self-care but it highlights how precious life is. Self-care doesn’t take away all of the big feelings we may be experiencing but it does magnify the good in our lives and increases gratitude
  3. Self-care rejuvenates us – when we give our physical and mental selves space to rest, we can find the strength to persevere and deal with the hard things. Self-care can restore us to health.

Storms in life can be overwhelming, to say the least. No one likes to experiences life at its worst. Just know that taking care of yourself is such an important part of recovering from life’s hurricanes. Draw your people near and take care of yourself. You Matter.

Natalie Bunner
Natalie is a nomadic spirit who loves to travel but has always called Louisiana home. Born and raised in Lafayette, she grew up with five brothers and so she feels that being a #boymom was destiny. Marriage and babies were a late blessing as she became a wife and mother in her mid-thirties but she wouldn’t have it any other way. Life with her husband, Wayne, and two sons, Edison and Oliver, is always full of laughter; there’s never a dull moment with those three! Natalie is a Licensed Social Worker and currently works with children in the charter school system. Providing support for children in need is her life’s purpose. In her mind, social work and motherhood go hand in hand. Creating an environment where kids feel safe, loved and valued as individuals go a long way to building well-adjusted adults. Natalie explores social work and motherhood both here at Lafayette Mom and on her site Connect. Learn. Grow. at nataliebunner.com.