thank you for sharing your journey, i appreciate it tremendously. as always the truth and the raw stories is what i crave because i find it so inspiring. because i can relate.
I love this: "I let myself sit in that space of discomfort. Not judging myself for any thoughts or feelings that came up, but not instantly reacting to them either."
I can relate with your story - for me it's about food; having kids, i do not always eat exactly what is good for me or what benefits me the most for example, but since i have read your post, i am going to sit with it and find out why can't i make a change for myself? choose myself?
Thanks so much for sharing, Isabelle. I loved reading what this brought up for you. And yes, the specifics can be different from person to person. We all have our version of My One Glass, right? And stay tuned because this month's Guest Expert in You to Bloom might feel like a perfect fit for what you've described 😊
Thank you for sharing this, Isabelle. After I stopped drinking socially and then after having a child, I definitely turned to food for comfort and nervous system regulation. My version of "My One Glass" was a frozen yogurt or ice cream after the kiddo went to bed. I was so depleted by the end of each day, this was my one thing that felt like it was just for me. I had to stop at some point because my digestive system was not happy, especially right before bed.
thank you also Amy for sharing with me/us; i can definitely relate to that too! Having kids is one thing that can be depleting (because we do not have that oh so needed village right?!) and for me it was a bowl of cereals before bed...until i started having reflux with perimenopause and it made me question myself about "comfort vs hunger"...it is a journey and it makes me feel less lonely to be able to chat about it here x
I can totally relate, Skylar. I used alcohol as a prop in my 20s and 30s, mostly in social situations to try to "fit in", to overcome my highly sensitive and introverted nature, and also to ease social anxiety. I, of course, didn't realize that at the time. I just thought there was something wrong with me because I couldn't naturally have fun and be relaxed like everyone else. I needed a drink (or two, or three...) to take the edge off and loosen up a bit. I had a lot of fun times, but also some not so fun times. Thank you for your sharing your story!
I so appreciate you sharing, Amy. It's wild how many of us introverts have felt that we're failing at life just because our needs are different to the "ideals" that we're all supposed to aspire to. What you said about fun/not so fun is true for me too. Some great nights, yes. But also some rock bottom times that I wouldn't want to repeat.
I just wanted to say, I wish you’d write a novel. Your voice is so clear in your writing and your insight is so resonant (and not just for women).
My now wife and I (and 3 kids) left for Ireland when I was 36. That geographical displacement you refer to is exactly what I felt. And whilst it isn’t alcohol for me, I can see parallels around nationality. As a good old Essex boy, now an Irish citizen, I struggle with my identity and am consciously embarrassed about also being English.
Don’t forget Sgt Bingham and Felicity / that’s all I’m saying 😀
I will never be able to see the name Felicity without remembering! I find the layers of our identity to be fascinating, especially how our environment can pull different parts of us to the surface. It’s a big deal to begin again in a new place and navigate being the outsider. It runs deep.
thank you for sharing your journey, i appreciate it tremendously. as always the truth and the raw stories is what i crave because i find it so inspiring. because i can relate.
I love this: "I let myself sit in that space of discomfort. Not judging myself for any thoughts or feelings that came up, but not instantly reacting to them either."
I can relate with your story - for me it's about food; having kids, i do not always eat exactly what is good for me or what benefits me the most for example, but since i have read your post, i am going to sit with it and find out why can't i make a change for myself? choose myself?
this was very helpful Skylar, thank you!
Thanks so much for sharing, Isabelle. I loved reading what this brought up for you. And yes, the specifics can be different from person to person. We all have our version of My One Glass, right? And stay tuned because this month's Guest Expert in You to Bloom might feel like a perfect fit for what you've described 😊
Exactly! Oh really?! looking forward to it! x
Thank you for sharing this, Isabelle. After I stopped drinking socially and then after having a child, I definitely turned to food for comfort and nervous system regulation. My version of "My One Glass" was a frozen yogurt or ice cream after the kiddo went to bed. I was so depleted by the end of each day, this was my one thing that felt like it was just for me. I had to stop at some point because my digestive system was not happy, especially right before bed.
thank you also Amy for sharing with me/us; i can definitely relate to that too! Having kids is one thing that can be depleting (because we do not have that oh so needed village right?!) and for me it was a bowl of cereals before bed...until i started having reflux with perimenopause and it made me question myself about "comfort vs hunger"...it is a journey and it makes me feel less lonely to be able to chat about it here x
I can totally relate, Skylar. I used alcohol as a prop in my 20s and 30s, mostly in social situations to try to "fit in", to overcome my highly sensitive and introverted nature, and also to ease social anxiety. I, of course, didn't realize that at the time. I just thought there was something wrong with me because I couldn't naturally have fun and be relaxed like everyone else. I needed a drink (or two, or three...) to take the edge off and loosen up a bit. I had a lot of fun times, but also some not so fun times. Thank you for your sharing your story!
I so appreciate you sharing, Amy. It's wild how many of us introverts have felt that we're failing at life just because our needs are different to the "ideals" that we're all supposed to aspire to. What you said about fun/not so fun is true for me too. Some great nights, yes. But also some rock bottom times that I wouldn't want to repeat.
Hey, Missus, how are you?
I just wanted to say, I wish you’d write a novel. Your voice is so clear in your writing and your insight is so resonant (and not just for women).
My now wife and I (and 3 kids) left for Ireland when I was 36. That geographical displacement you refer to is exactly what I felt. And whilst it isn’t alcohol for me, I can see parallels around nationality. As a good old Essex boy, now an Irish citizen, I struggle with my identity and am consciously embarrassed about also being English.
Don’t forget Sgt Bingham and Felicity / that’s all I’m saying 😀
Take care
Andrew
I will never be able to see the name Felicity without remembering! I find the layers of our identity to be fascinating, especially how our environment can pull different parts of us to the surface. It’s a big deal to begin again in a new place and navigate being the outsider. It runs deep.