Since we are getting to the end of the year, I’m seeing a lot of social media ‘accomplishment’ posts where everyone who had tangible projects this year is listing the things they got done.
If your year didn’t play out like that, please don’t take those to heart.
I’m happy for people who can quantify their experiences like that – or at least can spin things that way- but I’m also proud of those of us who had less tangible, visible accomplishments.
Lots of us, including me, might have spent the year just putting one foot in front of the other. Or learning to stay a little calmer in times of stress. Or stretching just a little before bed. Or helping a friend through difficulties. Or any of a million different things that can’t be measured or that you can’t or don’t want to talk about online.
Your focus on those things doesn’t make you lesser than those with a tangible list. The work you did – for yourself, for your family, for your community – is incredibly valuable and I am proud of you for doing it.
Please continue doing what you can with the resources you have and resting whenever you need or want to.
And here’s a gold star for your efforts- visible, invisible, tangible, intangible, it all matters and you matter.
In the spirit of putting one foot in front of the other, I’m suggesting a short walking workout to help you make space for yourself today.
This is a 10 Minute High Intensity Walk with Jordan from Bob and Brad. You don’t have to match her intensity unless you want to but I felt like she was good company!
For our meditation today, I thought we could try another walking meditation. I like how this one A Walking Meditation That Reduces Anxiety from HealthyPlace Mental Health combines the instructions for walking meditations with a bit of practice.
You can just practice with the video or start with the instructions and then do your own waking meditation. (And, of course, you can always do something else entirely. Do what works for you, please!)
About Making Space 2023:
In December 2020, Fit is a Feminist Issue blogger Martha created a tradition – a series of reminder posts to take good care of ourselves during this last month of the year when it is far too easy to get swept up in your to do list, no matter what you are celebrating or not celebrating.
In 2021, I started doing daily December reminders with a post called Give Yourself Some Space, and that’s how the ‘Making Space‘ December tradition began. Throughout December 2021 and 2022, I wrote a short post that included two videos – one for exercise and one for meditation – and a bit of encouragement for you to make space for yourself at this busy time of year.
These posts are not about cramming more things into your month, they reminding you that there IS a *YOU* who is doing all of the things and that you are worth taking good care of.
Perhaps the things I suggest aren’t what you need at the moment. That’s totally ok. Perhaps you can use something else to create some space, something that will help you feel more relaxed or more in charge of your day. Just do whatever you can to give yourself a little more breathing room.
Personally, I am trying to Finish 2023 Soft so I am putting conscious effort into resting whenever I can. My overjangled nervous system needs a chance to unjangle and that process may look different every day.
So, some of these posts may be long and some may be short but please know that every single one of them is written with the hope that you can find a little ease in your day, whatever that looks like for you.
