I don't know about you, but Thanksgiving being so late this year threw me into a bit of confusion. Somehow it’s December and there are only a few weeks until Christmas. I’m guessing I’m not the only one feeling disoriented by the slalom course of the holiday months. This season can be a lot, so it helps to bring some mindfulness to this amped up time of year. So, let's check in together and see how we're all doing.
Do recent events, or just life in general, have you hiding under the covers and saying "I don't want to"? I can relate! I’ll bet your mind works a lot like my mind, and bonus points if you, like me, said "I don't want to" in the last day, or even within the last hour. Thoughts like “I don’t want to” and “I can’t” often come along with feelings of apathy, disengagement, and overwhelm; a murky soup of anxiety, depression, and apathy. Maybe it's time to explore the "I don't want to" part of us and get to know her a little better.
A quick Google search tells me everyone and their cousin is writing about election anxiety right now, and for a good reason…according to a survey by the American Psychological Association, 69% of Americans say the election is a “significant stressor.” I notice my own anxiety as a sort of queasiness in my stomach, and an increase in avoidance behaviors like shutting down or checking out (or writing a blog about anxiety as a way to avoid instead of feeling my feels.) It's rough out there, so let's talk about some ways to stay grounded amidst the turmoil.
It’s fall in Colorado—the aspens have peaked and dropped their golden bangles and the heat in my office is on an unpredictable rollercoaster. Shoulder season in Colorado mountain towns has a very specific vibe, and when you're a mountain town person there's a lot to take care of during these transitional months. For those of us who tend towards depression, shoulder season throws us an additional challenge in the form of thoughts and feelings of dread when facing the dark winter months. Let's do some mental health prepping during shoulder season so you're more prepared for the cold months ahead.