Mental Health Awareness, Pt. 3
Image credit: Swell Visuals
Recently there was a piece in the New York Times on the word languishing. Basically it’s a name for the blah you might be feeling, at this time in the pandemic (they went as far as to name it the possible dominant emotion for 2021, oy vey).
While that didn’t help alleviate our sense that things are sort of just off, it did at least give a name to the thing we couldn’t quite put our finger on. It’s living in between a place of depression and thriving. For us, this is a completely new space. Typically in the spring, we are buzzing with excitement. Thrilled to travel, and sit outside pretending to like Aperol Spritz and just generally getting into ‘off duty’ mode.
Yet, many of us are still dealing with a heavy amount of fear and grief over this past year and potentially the future. So, let’s turn to the experts (the sociologists and psychologists the Times mentioned in aforementioned piece). Below are some tips from the article as well as a few local ideas for some uplifting cheer, too.
Fragmented attention is an enemy of engagement and excellence. This brilliant bit from the article is a MOTTO. This is Drake 2021. This is a yoga mantra. Your new tattoo- but make it henna. Get away from your interruptions and focus, focus, focus on the matter at hand. Brb, gotta check Insta one more time, take my dog on a walk and create some art out of spaghetti and then I’ll TOTALLY crush this first step.
Give yourself some uninterrupted time. It’s time to set boundaries, honey. Some serious chill, quiet solo time. Yes, for the last year your mom’s neighbor’s dog has been dropped off at your house every Tuesday for a sponge bath. You created a disco ball out of just glitter and leaves for your daughter’s virtual prom. You are raising golden retriever puppies out of your laundry room and taking hot air balloon lessons on Sundays or whatever. Cut it back. Daily joy and motivation is connected to a sense of progress. Try giving yourself no interruptions one day a week and work toward making it two or three days a week, like in this study from India. If you’re doing too much, do less. Then, do lesser.
Focus on a small goal. Sometimes I am proud of myself for being able to cross the street. Honestly, it’s a feat to even be alive. So think smaller. Little wins. Indulge your penchant for cross-stitching. You love completing puzzles? Go on with your bad self. Focus on a small and meaningful challenge and carve out a little daily time to focus on it. Take a class on watercolor. Plan a trip to a museum and learn something new. Continue developing your gardening or cooking talents.
You can’t heal a sick culture with personal bandages. Ooooh, that line really got us. Meaning that our society normalizes personal health challenges but stigmatizes mental health challenges. Basically by being aware and honest that so many of us are languishing, but we are stronger together in naming it and can move forward toward healing.
Also, we are going to say this again- take time to seek therapy. This is a great time to connect, heal and learn tools to help your heart and mind. If you don’t have insurance, Better Help offers 50% off your first month. We also have listed a few ideas below to help you seek out some joy:
*come to The Nelle HQ! We are OPEN, welcoming new members and firing up our event calendar- sign up HERE so you don’t miss our announcements (also follow us here!)
*book a staycay at No Vacancy and revel in beautifully curated design
*eat creatively at KC’s urban lunch counter Sauced
*follow the taco trail, curated by our very own Meg Folmsbee and other fabulous area writers
*stay tuned to events at the Kemper Museum and the Nelson, like guided meditation and artist talks
Take such good care of yourselves, Nellies! You are so loved, so unique and so valuable.
An Abby Yemm playlist for you…
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