I Know You Know

Hello Friend

Honestly, it’s very challenging to write about nervous system work because so much of it is about experiencing what's happening inside, which is very different from reading about it, thinking about it, or knowing what to do.

I find that a lot of my clients know these concepts.  You most likely do too.  You know that trauma (aka stuck stress-energy) is in your body and it's limiting you from feeling connection, feeling curious, and fully alive.  When you're in that overwhelm, anxiety, anger, rage, dissociation, and chronic sadness, you know that you need to learn how to regulate and feel these emotions to completion. 

I know you know!

And you may even give this advice to your friends when they come to you for support.

As a lovely woman said to me the other day, "I don't practice what I preach".

When I say practice I don't mean meditation or yoga or going to talk therapy.  I don't mean knowing where your emotional patterns/addictions come from or being able to rationalize yourself out of feeling bad in the moment.  Those are all amazing things, but they are different than working with your nervous system's cues and reshaping how you respond to stress. 

Also, who the hell wants to feel the volcano of anger, sadness, grief and longing that is brewing inside.  NO ONE.  And your nervous system is going to do anything it can to keep you from feeling those things because it's scary, it's big and you don't know how to do it in a way that will complete those feelings.  You're afraid you're going to hurt someone or yourself.  It's too much and frankly, you'd rather just eat a box of cookies (insert your favorite emotional avoidance tool here) and move on.  Which, by the way, just increases the intensity of these emotions over time.

And it's not your fault.  No one has taught us how to do this, it's not supported in our current lifestyle, our parents didn't know how and it wasn't taught in school.  If I'm being totally honest, that's where we should have learned it. 

No worries babe, I got chu.

Life is stressful and complicated right now.  And it's only going to continue to be strange and uncertain.  We need these tools.  It's time.  In fact, it's way overdue.

Because we're working with the nervous system it is the most foundational place to create lasting change. 

If you are resonating with this I invite you to reply to this email to book a 30-minute complimentary consultation with me for private work.

And, join a Somatic Movement (movement +nervous system regulation) class this week.

With LOVE, Courage, and Regulation
Dorie

P.S.  Read last week’s blog post I can't be consistent

I Can't Be Consistent

I’m thinking a lot about consistency.  How can I stay consistent with the things that I want to do, (having fun, working out, hydrating enough, regulating my nervous system, getting work done, etc).

What's clear is we each have an upper limit to how much we can handle in a day.  Whether it’s what you’re doing, what you’re experiencing, or what you’re feeling.  You have a limit on hard stuff as much as you have a limit on enjoyable experiences.

So the big question is...How much is enough?

This is big! It’s big because your mind will tell you, “that’s just a visit with friends, you should love that, you should do that”.  Or, “why am I so exhausted, all I did was go to the grocery store and one other errand”. 

Not to mention our culture which promotes a constant go go go, more-is-better lifestyle.  

And finally, your mom/caregivers probably modeled the do it all/have it all approach to life.

All the while, your BodyHome is begging for rest and a vacation. Your body lets you know this in the form of pain, an upset stomach, headaches, all-over body pain, anxiety, chronic anger or irritation, etc.

We are all handling so much stress from our personal histories, the pandemic, and generations of racial and social inequities.  Let's acknowledge that individually and collectively we’re handling a lot right now and what’s needed are strategies to clear stuck stress and reclaim the vitality, creativity, and connection that’s inside you ready to emerge.

Exploring your limits is what nervous system work is all about.  And when you get in tune with your limits, you can craft a life that includes all that you want to do to take good care of yourself without burning out and feeling crushed by yet another failed attempt.

You can learn more about what nervous system work feels like here.

Ready to reshape your nervous system, feel in control of your emotions and feel like yourself again?

Contact me to schedule a complimentary 30-minute consult here.

Or, join a somatic movement class here.

With LOVE and Regulation~
Dorie

I Can't Do One More Thing!

Fall is a very challenging time for the body and the nervous system.  As the seasons change, temps change our bodies have to adjust.  You may find yourself getting a cold this time of year, feeling more tired or more lethargic. 

Adjustments in season mean adjustments in HOW you take care of your BodyHome. 

Taking care of your BodyHome can feel downright impossible if you're struggling with anxiety, reactivity, and stuckness in your nervous system.  One more thing to do is just too freaking much.

I remember at the height of anxiety and stuckness, it was close to impossible to take action on the things that would make me feel better. Anyone who tried to give me advice or ideas on what to do completely annoyed me. I was totally overloaded. Plus, I was trying different therapies and nothing was helping me. I felt stuck on a hamster wheel.

I get it!  And, I'm not going to give you one more thing to do. 

Because it doesn't matter who tells you what to do. It doesn't even matter that you know what to do and you'll feel better if you do those things.  Everything feels like too much.  And when it's too much your nervous system will stop you from doing those things even though you know they're good for you. 

Your nervous system states affect your thoughts, behaviors, and the story you tell yourself about what's happening. So, the thing that will help you to move forward is to shift your nervous system state a little bit each day. Those little bits will evolve into longer bits over time. Then you can clear what's keeping you stuck and start to find real traction in how you feel and in what you're able to accomplish.

Ready to get unstuck? 

Reply to this email and schedule a 1 on 1 consult for private Somatic Experiencing sessions.  Let's get you moving towards how you truly want to feel in your life and moving towards your goals.

Or, join a Somatic Movement Class this week to add regulation tools and healthy movement to your life.

This week's schedule:

Monday 6-7 pm CST Somatic yoga
Wednesday 9:30-10:30 am CST Somatic Bowspring
Friday 12-1 pm CST Somatic Yoga
Saturday 10-11:15 am CST Somatic Yoga

With LOVE, Courage, and Regulation
Dorie

P.S.  Read last week’s blog post What reshaping your nervous system feels like