When Subtle Shifts Become Big Changes
Sometimes we have to be outside our own bubble in order to be able to witness the shifts that are happening for us. And in reality, this is almost impossible unless we have another individual or community that can offer us a step back. What I’m trying to say here is we can’t see the trees from the forest; it is difficult to see the details of our own healing journey when we are right in the middle of it.
Everything seems the same and most of the time the patterns (habits, physical symptoms, emotional expressions, ability to respond rather than react, changes in perspectives, etc) don’t really feel like shift in the beginning because they are subtle and progressively a state of being. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes the shift is significant and there is an immediate ability to feel a “difference”. However, most of the time many of my clients don’t notice the subtle shifts that are happening throughout our time together until suddenly the entire season of their forest has changed. And this is the beauty of Somatic Therapy. And one day it is spring in our forest.
So how can we assist this seasonal shift within ourselves? I know for me it takes intention, consistency, and reflection. I focus on an intention of how health or restorative healing manifests for me; I try to stay consistent with my practices and connecting with my support networks; I offer myself opportunities to try and try again while learning from each experience. Your wellness intention could be staring you in the face (hello panic attack), or it might take a bit of teasing out to find (why am I so tired). Ask yourself who are your support networks and the practices you are nurturing (believe me it takes a village sometimes for me, but I have to check in with that village consistently for them to know I need them). And lastly, how are you taking your practices into the world and trying them out when you need them in order to assess if they were supportive or if you need to try something else next time.
I have to constantly remind myself that restoration is a journey, a stroll through our forest. Some days are bright and sunny and you can see the flowers in bloom, and other days the paths and the trees all look the same. Keep exploring your forest, no matter the weather, spring will always come when you lean into support.