An interesting side effect of the stay at home orders that most of us have been following, is an increase in free time. It also seems to have brought about an increase in stress and fear, which is completely understandable by the way. One of my clients was talking about using this time to do some soul searching, some life pondering, and some “just being.” 

During one of her conversations, she said that she was going to put “just being” on her calendar, which gave us both a good laugh. Yet maybe she was onto something. “Just being” is challenging. It’s uncomfortable for a lot of us. We are used to doing things, distracting ourselves, and then crashing into our beds at night without a moment of self-analysis. At times like this, it can be especially challenging to face our fears, concerns, etc. It’s so much easier to just keep “doing” versus “being.”

Yet the opportunity to really look at ourselves, our thoughts, our emotions, our fears, and our dreams is at an all-time high right now. Many of us now have the time to do a little self-exploration. So how can we add some “being” into our lives?

1. Be like my client and put it on your calendar or agenda. Carve out a few minutes a day to just sit quietly. If you fall asleep, no big deal. If your mind wanders, that’s fine too. Carve out the space and don’t judge what happens when you are in it.
2. Listen to your thoughts. Hear what you are saying to yourself without judgment. Just listen. 
3. Experience your feelings. Let them move through your body without judgment and without trying to stop those feelings. Release them, don’t try to force them out.
4. Use your “being” time to think about what you want to think about and how you want to feel. You get to choose both of those. 
5. Add more “being” time if you are comfortable doing so. If not, that’s fine too.

Now more than ever, taking care of ourselves emotionally is crucial. Being in the moment and aware of what we are experiencing is the key to starting that emotional well-being process. So if you think putting it on your calendar will help you remember to do so, then by all means, write it in!

Love,

Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC