If you could turn back time, Cher-style, and give March 2020 you advice, what would it be?
I recently posed this question in an Instagram post, where I reflect back on the different shifts I moved through in the past year. There’s been a lot to navigate at home (like a new home!), emotionally, spiritually, professionally, etc.
I don’t lose sight of the fact though, that some people had a hell of a lot worse year than I did. At the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, we have our health, our good fortune, our privilege, eachother. I know a lot of people can’t say the same. Which gives me the perspective I need to arrive at the conclusion that life isn’t so bad.
Honoring the good and bad, light and dark
But we can not honor the light, without facing the dark. Learning to process big emotions is honestly a new thing for me. I used to just hold on to the anger and sadness and brush it to the side. But this year gave me an opportunity to slow down and be with the girl who has busied herself for most of her life.
Honestly, I was so stressed because life was always moving so fast. It was slipping away from me and there was nothing I could do about it. No time to stop and understand what was really going on in my heart. Enter March 2020.
Although the adjustment of the past year was a huge, big, scary shift for me, I’ve learned to embrace where we’re at. We had a lot to navigate during the year, but they all ended in blessings wrapped in silver lining.
If you’re like me and don’t allow yourself time to feel the emotions because you ultimately live a blessed life, stop doing that. We need to honor everything we’re feeling because it’s valid. And then show compassion for others going through the same thing.
I also have felt guilt in moments of joy this past year. While others struggle, so much growth and amazing family moments have happened. I’ve been able to snuggle my babes on command and watch them grow. It’s ok to feel joy during this time, while still showing empathy for others who aren’t experiencing the same.
I have compassion for March 2020 Audria. She was about to go through a lot, but she has come out on the other side with clarity, defined values and a new sense of being. So I pose the question again:
If you could give yourself advice a year ago, what would it be?
I got some input from commenters and felt inspired to turn them into digital art. Here’s what they said:
I hope this question provokes some thoughts of your own! What advice would you give yourself a year ago? Let me know in the comments below!
