A lot of you will recognize Carol as a regular student in our daily live yoga classes. Carol is also our studios community ambassador. If you are on the In Fine Feather Facebook community page, Carol shares little doses of inspiration every day. For the last 2 years Carol has helped to organize community fundraisers and collected donations within the studio. She has become a familiar face and a welcoming friend to so many of us as well. We LOVE Carol! In this blog, she offers some of the healing benefits of writing a list and coping mechanisms for organizing her thoughts throughout the pandemic. Perhaps some of these practices will serve you as well and thanks to Carol for sharing them!
I love writing lists; I write lists for everything. Who can purchase groceries, Christmas gifts or prepare for a trip without a list? It is the perfect organizational tool for alleviating stress. (Unless, of course, like me you leave your list at home and find yourself wandering the grocery aisles trying to remember what you need to buy. Lol!)
My favourite lists though are the ones that lift your spirits by offering you a different perspective, a new outlook or even a release of emotion. In the past year I have found myself writing some rather unique lists. I am sharing with you in the hopes that these ideas may be something you would like to try and that some of you have ideas that could be shared.
When we first went into lockdown I was at a bit of a loss for what to do with my time, so I made a list of all the things I have been wanting to learn but have been postponing. As my list grew I realized that many of the items on the list were going to cost money so I started dividing my list - a list for what will cost money and a list for what would be free. For example, I struggle with using Instagram and so I decided to learn how to better use it. It's been fun - frustrating too sometimes but at least I now know how to tag someone. I have been wanting to learn how to crochet so I got a few lessons from my sister at a time when we were allowed outside visits. The rest I learned from YouTube videos. Crocheting, of course, requires yarn which can get expensive so I made blankets and gifted them to my children for Christmas. I was also able to donate hats and scarves which met the requirements of another list - ways in which I can help alleviate the struggles of others.
However, there are two lists that I most want to share with you. The first came at a time when I was feeling really depressed and frustrated by the restrictions of pandemic living. I started a list of all the good things that have happened as a direct result of the pandemic. It's amazing! I have been able to list so many positives that have happened in the past 13 months, and I just keep adding to the list. I am so surprised by how long my list is and when I am feeling sad or frustrated I turn to the list. Just reading it over makes me feel hopeful.
The second list came from Mornings With Meagan on Instagram. On May 6 she suggested a "brain dump". She encouraged us to write down examples of when the universe has had our back. Oh! I loved that idea. I am still adding to it; that's a list that can go on and on and on. One of the greatest things that came out of that practice is that I have remembered things from the past that I hadn't thought about in so long! In fact, sometimes I am just carrying on with my day getting stuff done and suddenly a memory comes to me that is a great example of how the universe has served me well. This is another list that makes me feel hopeful. (Mornings with Meagan is live at 7:30 am or you can access the replays @meaganrosewellness).
I haven't yet started but I also have the idea of listing some of the most difficult things that have happened to me and then listing the ways in which I was strengthened by what happened. Another idea is to make a list of things that make you angry or frustrated; write the list and then burn it. Watching it burn can be cathartic and healing.
And, of course, the most difficult list of all! A list of all the things you like about yourself.
Why is that so hard? Amazing isn't it! If we were asked to list the good qualities in another person we could do it so easily but for ourselves....??? You should definitely do it though. Don't hold back; we each have a multitude of good qualities! Do it as a celebration of who you are. Write the list!
I hope this has given you a few ideas. Lists are really coping mechanisms for me. I would love to hear ideas that you have. We can share them on the IFF Facebook page.
Keep on listing!
Carol