Today’s quote of the day I found online somewhat randomly while looking for ideas for a blog post, but very much matches the past weekend.
Today’s quote is a reminder that your emotions are valid, whether positive or not, and that it is ok not to be ok. This is true for all scenarios and situations.
I find sometimes we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to have our emotions match the environment around us rather than accept that sometimes that’s not possible. For example, when it’s a holiday, we are expected to have this beautiful amazing day, when reality is a lot of people suffer emotionally over the holidays. Often times if something goes wrong during the holidays and the vision of perfection and joy and gratitude is disrupted, we feel shame.
Reality is, that we are human beings. We have emotions all the time, positive or not, and to expect only positive emotions always is unrealistic and also can be toxic! (I have a blog post about toxic positivity you can find below)
I share the quote of the day with the upmost gratitude in my heart after this past weekend. A few of my occupational therapist friends from school got together with our partners for a cottage weekend. I am thankful for the ease and simplicity of our get togethers, in which there is never pressure to get rowdy or be constantly busy. We bring books and cook and do crafts, simple things that bring us together but just allow us to exist with one another.
During the weekend, my wife had some pretty big emotions at one point and had a hard time regulating herself. Throughout that time, my friends were calm, sweet and non-judgemental. They allowed her the space to try to self calm and didn’t question when I stepped away to co-regulate with her. And then as soon as she was ready, she smoothly came back and we all went on the water. It was so simple and seems like common sense but just being able to acknowledge that she had emotions she needed to work through and then checking in and moving on was so beautiful. I think this is why I love this group of friends so much, because I know I can feel emotionally safe around them. Happy or sad, anxious or tired, it’s reassuring to know that I have people around me who will accept and love me for all of me! I guess that’s the OT in this group, but I’m thankful I have other people like this in other parts of my life as well.
What is the hardest emotion for you to accept in yourself and how do you show yourself compassion in those times?
Check out my last quote of the day which somewhat relates, about self compassion
Be Your Own Sunshine 