Part I: Reflection
A couple years ago, I was looking for mental health 5K’s to support with my dollars and running. I had not actively run in years and lofty goals make me feel inspired! Also, mental health is buoyed by physical fitness and I wanted to compete in and complete a race again to boost my mental health in positive ways. I found some interesting options, but nothing that was local!
In my internet research journey, I stumbled upon the StillIRun scholarship program, which required an application process. As someone who’s had many jobs and thus filled out many applications I was, at first, reticent but decided to go for it. Obtaining a reference and filling out the application, I was hopeful but realistic! I realized many people must apply for this nationwide scholarship. I was so joyful when I got accepted! I received a slew of awesome gear - shoes, shorts, shirt, etc. and absolutely awesome coaching that proved crucial to my training journey. He kept encouraging me and supporting me, even when my fall got wonky and challenging. I set out with big goals, though, which proved challenging for my lofty goal mindset.
I started out pretty strong, and weathered many things this past fall. I had all the doubts about finishing and almost gave up - yet I chose to pivot. Basketball players, football players, ballerinas, non-athletes avoiding dodgeballs in gym class (Oh, I’ve been there!) - all of us pivot. Pivot was the word of the pandemic, and businesses that pivoted successfully weathered the storm. I knew I needed to pivot my mindset, so I did. I did what I could, with a goal of finishing the race - even if I had to crawl across the finish line.
I did not have to crawl, but I am excited to share that I did finish! I even finished before a few other people, with my run/jog/walk pace! My run time was not what it was twenty years ago - yet I felt the sweet feeling of accomplishment flood my body with joy. The wind on the lakefront course could not even stop me from finishing.
Good coaching.
Pivoting my mindset.
Tenacity.
Don’t stop believing, y’all!
For those who want to read the blog post at StillIRun’s blog (and see other’s experiences) - the link is below!
So are our week’s worth of questions. If you do some, feel free to reach out and tell me about it! You can respond to this email or post a comment - remember, though, that I’m a person and kindness is rewarded by a response. A lack thereof will include being ignored and/or blocked. Also remember that these are public posts! Don’t share anything you don’t want the internet to know in the comments section.
Mindfully,
Amber Brown
Part II: Reflection Questions
Question 1: Set up a comfortable space (or whatever space is accessible to you). Get some tea, grab a journal or a sketch pad. What is something you did that you thought you could not do? Take a few minutes today to journal or draw reflectively about the experience. When you are done, take a few deep breaths and give yourself a hug. Go back to your day’s activities knowing you took time for yourself!
Question 2: Set up a comfortable space (or whatever space is accessible to you). Get some tea, grab a journal or a sketch pad. When have you set a goal, but found yourself having to pivot your mindset? How did that feel? Take a few minutes today to journal or draw reflectively about the experience. When you are done, take a few deep breaths and give yourself a hug. Go back to your day’s activities knowing you took time for yourself!
Question 3: Set up a comfortable space (or whatever space is accessible to you). Get some tea, grab a journal or a sketch pad. What is something you could not accomplish that you wished you could have? Could you still accomplish it? Take a few minutes today to journal or draw reflectively about the experience. When you are done, take a few deep breaths and give yourself a hug. Go back to your day’s activities knowing you took time for yourself!
Question 4: Put on some comfy clothes that fit the weather in your area and take a brief trek outside. Notice how it feels to move your body, in whatever way is accessible to you and your body’s needs. If you need to stay indoors, that’s okay, too. Put on a song and move your body in ways that feel comfortable to you. When you are done, take a few deep breaths and give yourself a hug. Go back to your day’s activities knowing you took time for yourself!
Question 5: Pick a sense that is accessible to you and find a place to notice everything around you that you notice. For example, from the comfort of your easy chair, you might have a dog nearby or a fuzzy blanket or a loved one. Or you might see the things in your space differently - notice the colors, the shapes, or pick sound! Sight, touch, sound, smell, taste. If you’re eating a meal, maybe you can do it mindfully. When you are done, take a few deep breaths and give yourself a hug. Go back to your day’s activities knowing you took time for yourself!
Question 6: Set up a comfortable space (or whatever space is accessible to you). Get some tea, grab a journal or a sketch pad. In what ways are you grateful for what your body can do? In what ways would you like that to change? In what ways would you like things to stay the same. Take a few minutes today to journal or draw reflectively about the experience. When you are done, take a few deep breaths and give yourself a hug. Go back to your day’s activities knowing you took time for yourself!
Question 7: Just Be On this last day, take time to just be. Pray or meditate or sit and focus on your breath - in and out. Do this for a few minutes or as long as it serves you to do so. At the end of it say something meaningful...for example...I am present, or I am love, I am enough, or I am more than my labels. Take a few more deep breaths. Come back to the present and give yourself a hug - celebrate your wins this week! You are amazing, indeed.
This post was extremely timely for me as I am having some struggles moving my body today. I spent some time in the glorious sunshine yesterday working on my flower beds for the coming season which means (I spent far too much time bent over.) This is a passion I have, in recent years come to love and enjoy. It provides me with time for myself as well as time for grounding and mindfulness. I have added new plants each year that I get to watch either flourish or struggle…..sometimes the latter is due to my own ignorance. There is so much to learn from growing and tending to plants and it has been a delightful journey.
Plants often pivot the only thing they want to do is grow so when their conditions are not ideal, they pivot! A quote that I have been seeing recently says “weeds are the only plants that have learned to grow through everything except a straight line.” Pivoting is essential to survival thank you for that reminder.