Support Groups Blog

It has been one of those very hard to witness news cycles where we all watch in real time while Russia continues to invade Ukraine causing families to be separated, a rising death toll and an overwhelming refugee situation. Sometimes it feels like we are watching a movie, but it is so important not to get numb or complacent about what is happening in the world. While we may live in a country that is still fighting over wearing masks and whether to get vaccinated, there are those an ocean away wondering if today will be their last on this earth due to war.

Life is a series of steps, much like a dance, some in the right direction, others in the wrong direction, but around and around we go. At times it can feel like we are doing this whole life dance pretty well and other times, it can feel like maybe we should just get off the dance floor so to speak. The news is harsh, the weather is harsh, for some of us, our personal and professional lives seem harsh and to be honest, sometimes being positive and cheery is too much to ask of ourselves, let alone others.

Do you ever feel like you are in a life slump and are just waiting for what must surely be your real life to start? Life can often feel monotonous, another morning begins with your phone alarm beeping, coffee, exercise, car pool, breakfast, shower, work, carpool again, dinner, homework help, reading, games on phone and maybe some TV, sleep and then we do it all over again. It almost seems as if you are stuck in a time loop continuum when you can anticipate when the annoying, high strung dog next door is going to freak out and bark its head off!

If you have ever read a book about raising children there is bound to be a chapter on handling emotions and meltdowns. The advice will probably sound something like this, when a child is melting down and tired, remember not to yell or respond in kind, you are the adult, remind the child to use their feeling words, such as, I am tired, hungry, overwhelmed, sad, etc. Identify what is really going on, give them a hug if they wish to be touched, or time alone if they need a moment to regroup.

We live in a society that while touting that all bodies are beautiful, mental health is important, we need to eat to fuel our bodies, brains over beauty…we learn from a young age, that while these slogans are empowering, the reality is, beauty is coveted by all, regardless of race, gender and nationality. We are indoctrinated constantly, via social media, the actors we see in all our favorite shows and movies, the fitness instructors we follow, the magazine covers we see at the supermarket checkouts, the musicians we listen to and the social media we scroll through.