Over the years I have used several different methods to stay mentally, emotionally, and physically fit during stable and unstable times. From writing in my journal as often as needed, to being one with nature, to practicing mindfulness, to eating a plant-based diet to staying positive when others are not.
I’ve tried yoga, Pilates, and jogging to better understand how I deal with stress.
I have gone through talk therapy to unpack my issues around anger and anxiety.
I have treated myself to massages, pedicures, and manicures to alleviate stress.
However, during this quarantine, I have had to make a handful of mindful adjustments, just like everyone else in the world.
Spiritually, it has allowed me to re-tap into a healing form I experienced back in 2018.
A couple of years ago a friend posted about her experience with Reiki on her social media account. Intrigued, I messaged her and she connected me with her Reiki healer.
Reiki is a Japanese form of energy therapy. It involves the transfer of energy by "laying on hands." It’s based on the idea that unseen "life force energy" runs through all of us. When this energy is high, we're happy; when it's low, we're prone to sickness. It's used to reduce stress and promote healing. Reiki comes from the Japanese words “rei” (meaning: universal) and “ki” (meaning: life force energy). Energy healing targets the energy fields around the body.
When we say someone has “bad vibes“ or “negative energy,” we are saying their energy is off-putting. And it's ok sometimes. At that moment, their energy simply doesn’t mesh with ours.
Everyone‘s reiki session is different. Some may go through a major or minor spiritual detox. After all, you are clearing out old or stagnate energy in your body, be it a physical injury or emotional pain; for example, some people laugh, cry, feel at peace, or some may feel nothing at all during a Reiki session.
In my sessions, I cried. Crying releases toxins and alleviates stress.
I tapped into the emotions and fears I had forgotten about. I wasn’t scared by any means. I actually felt at peace. I acknowledged and moved through it. Reiki helped me to better understand how and why I do things.
I am a natural healer. I like to take care of those I care about. I try to see the good in everyone. But I also tend to want to fix things, heal people. I have learned you can’t always take on other people’s problems, or their energies, especially when you are still dealing with your own.
“I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.”
―Maya Angelou
So, every time I came home, I purged my thoughts. I recorded them; everything I was feeling, everything I wanted to do; everything that appeared to me in those altered states, I wrote down. I felt lighter. Calmer. Like a weight had been lifted. And I knew at some point, I wanted to have all of those feels again.
Then the global pandemic of 2020 happened. And it forced all of us to go inside; literally and figuratively.
While working from home, the stars aligned again, when I stumbled across an online Reiki course. Naturally, I signed up.
Because I want to learn how to harness Reiki, the Universal Life Energy to heal myself, family, friends, pets, acquaintances, strangers, co-workers, and more.
Thus, what’s been working for me and my self-care during this quarantine:
• I am continuing my Reiki journey (along with other things) and learning how to take care of my mind, body, and soul; as well as attract loving energy and abundance.
• I am listening to nature sounds, ocean waves, rivers, streams, rain, and guided meditation playlists to calm me.
• I am writing in my journal the things I feel and want to feel.
• I am surrounding myself with good energy and good people.
• I am learning the art of collecting crystals. I started a small collection in January and when I do hold them or keep them close to me, I'm learning their power.
• I learned that my primary love language is Words of Affirmation now. For years, it was Physical Touch. Now PT is my secondary love language. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned someone can be physically close to you... but not emotionally supportive or encouraging. I need both. Tell me how you feel and be supportive, then give me a big ass hug.
• Lastly, I like to know what someone is thinking instead of assuming I know what they’re thinking. That’s part of the healing process.
This pandemic has forced folks (including myself) to open up their mouths and say what they want, instead of just sitting in the background and waiting for it to happen or just hoping they get what they want.
For me, self-care has become a full head-and-body experience. So I’m trying to learn as much as I can, while I have the space and opportunity to learn all that I can.