As light appears at the end of the COVID tunnel, many of us are experiencing mixed feelings of excitement and trepidation about the prospect of life opening up again. On the one hand, vaccines and reviving communities bring new hope and optimism for the arrival of relative normalcy back into our lives. Simultaneously, we’re grieving losses, entertaining "bad" habits, and experiencing the effects of long-term social isolation. We’re facing who we have become after all this time - what we’ve chosen to do with our time and how we've been showing up to our family and friends, work, society, and to ourselves.
Over the past year, many people took advantage of quarantine-imposed free time to discover new interests, hobbies, and aspirations that will stick around long after the pandemic has subsided because they were personal anchors in uncertain times. Others understandably needed to seek distraction to escape from harsh realities – loss of loved ones, livelihood, homes, and relationships - manifesting (often subconsciously) in habits and behaviors that would likely be deemed “unhealthy” to sustain in the long term. For most, this was not a choice, for the pain was too much. There is no right or wrong, and we all did what was needed at the time, to survive.
On the precipice of a new post-COVID world, we have a unique and potentially life-changing opportunity to pause and examine who we are right now, after having lived through this difficult period. There is much to be learned, and authentic growth is possible if there is interest, intention, and courage to see.
This upcoming 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) class is an invitation to participate in a thorough exploration of life in this very moment. Through practices of formal and informal meditation (sitting meditation, mindful movement, reflection, and mindful communication exercises), you will be a primary investigator and examine your present moment experience; record data, reflect, share, and most importantly, embrace everything that shows up with kindness, trust and knowledge that this powerful act of self-care will open up new meaningful opportunities to grow and live authentically.
For more information/ to register for MBSR class orientation on 4/21, please visit https://www.renewmindfultherapy.com/mbsr or contact me: alison@renewmindfultherapy.com