- the Grounding Guide
- Posts
- Hello, 2024!
Hi everyone!
I hope your new year is off to a great start! I’m writing this as we have our first real snow day in two years here in Baltimore. Although I’ve never been a fan of cold weather, there’s something so peaceful and beautiful about watching it snow outside — dare I say I missed it?! When I opened our front door this morning, I saw our neighbor had shoveled our stairs for us which made me smile and feel grateful.
Snow in Baltimore ❄️
Random acts of kindness can really brighten someone’s day and make the world feel like a nicer and safer place. We can all strive to be more mindful of opportunities to help someone and pay it forward.
Have a great weekend!
All the best,
Mandy
FROM THE GG BLOG
Strategies to Support a Positive Start to the New Year
Happy New Year! Moving into a new year can feel refreshing and encourage us to reflect on the previous year and identify personal goals for the future. It’s normal to feel mixed emotions as a new year starts and it’s also okay not to have specific resolutions. You know yourself best and what feels right for your own personal growth. Remember, growth and healing aren’t linear and we can try to practice embracing both the ups and downs while trusting the process. Keeping this in mind, I’ve identified a few areas to support a positive start to 2024 if you’re interested in practicing them with me.
READ
99 Inexpensive Self-Care Ideas For Your New Year
The performance of face masks and bubble baths won’t heal our deeper heartaches. We need real self-care.
MEDIA
Football and Feelings
📺🎥🏈
With the Ravens in the playoffs and the possibility of seeing Taylor Swift on TV, I’ve been watching a lot more football recently. Sports have a way of bringing people together and provides a sense of community. For passionate fans, this can be an exciting time to celebrate their team which can lead to an increase in positive feelings. On the other hand, losses can bring intense negative emotions and even result in conflict for fans who have a stronger identification with their team.
I was reminded of the feelings we get from football after I was cleaning the other day, and found a journal prompt that I had written about going to a Ravens game with my family when I was 9 years old. It made me laugh (mainly at the poor spelling) and also feel sentimental because I could feel the excitement I had as a kid just from reading it. I also recently saw a viral video of a Detroit Lions fan crying tears of joy after their win this week. The fan was interviewed and shared that it meant so much to him because of the connection he feels to the team having grown up going to games with his dad, who tragically passed in 2004.
R-A-V-E-N-S!
Stories like this remind us that football isn’t just a game and the experiences and memories we have as fans will always stick with us. It’s not only about our teams but the people we are with, which is how so many of us become fans. There’s a reason why we’re passionate about this sport and although it can make us feel a rollercoaster of emotions, we know we’re all in it together.
LISTEN
🎙 Facing Our Grief
On this episode of “All There Is", Anderson Cooper listens to voicemails about grief from listeners and discusses how we don’t have to face our grief alone. He also talks to psychotherapist and author, Francis Weller, about his book and hope after loss. Listen here.
And in trying to bury my own sadness, I realize now I’ve also buried my ability to feel joy. I don't want to live half a life any longer. I want to feel all there is.
Today’s Affirmation
I am worthy of having a beautiful, healthy, and successful year ahead.
RESOURCES
Emotional Wellness
Feelings Wheel this is a visual I like to use in sessions to support identifying and recognizing feelings.
Journaling Prompts if you journal or want to start, here are 75 different prompts to try.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation this is a helpful strategy to decrease anxiety, manage your nervous system, and relax.
