Hold Onto a LifeJouy for Wellbeing

Everything feels desperate. The news has never seemed so full of agony. All sides, everywhere. The suffering of others is so real. It can feel hard to keep up with events, but it's important not to turn away.

We need to find ways to balance the focus from trying to learn and understand so that we can support and respond, with ways to touch back into our safe lives and realise just how unbelievably lucky we are.

I don't want to gloss over the enormity of the terror in the news, but I am no expert at all. I am reading and listening and responding in my way, and I know that you are too.

Many things that we go through, both alone and collectively, can lead to overwhelming feelings of sadness and despondency with the world. The economic situation, for millions, has become more challenging than ever and it can feel like our chances of having a home, a car, a holiday, even a paid gas bill are accelerating away from us faster than we can pedal. The nights are drawing in, the temperature is slipping low, the rain is sweeping in, the storms are getting worse. Thinking of storms, I thought of lifebouys and how they are there to cling to when the water is overwhelming. They support.

I know that, for me, spending time consciously considering the myriad things around me that bring me such an incredible privilege in life (I shall never tire of marvelling over hot water coming out of taps in our homes!) is a really helpful exercise. Where I used to consider it far too simplistic to gain joy and feel better just by thinking about good things, I now feel that it's hugely significant, hugely important and it really does support your mental wellbeing in maintaining a happier, more resilient outlook on your life.

If you are in receipt of all of this mind-blowing luxury - health, a family, a safe home, power, food, friends, access to nature - then I promise you, there is so much to be grateful for and there are so many tiny 'lifejouys' that we can share and celebrate for supporting us and keeping us afloat.

What I am going to do is check in with my Instagram community on Monday mornings, just a few minutes in a LIVE instagram session while I get ready for work. I will share our 'Lifejouys' for the week - it can be anything that you have done, you are going to do, you are grateful for - anything that brings you joy. What is supporting you and making you happy?

Please share your Lifejouys here in the comments - I will keep coming back to this post to read any that you add, week after week. I will share your ideas (without sharing your name if you want to be anonymous) and hopefully, we can start the week with a small blast of many good things, many tiny moments of joy that still exist in the world, for each of us, in our own different ways.

Here are a few of mine:

Little Lifejouys I throw for myself - reading, a rare bath, the first morning coffee, eating Gus's daal, cleaning the flat, being with my sisters, seeing my children happy, open spaces and fresh air.

If you want to comment and tell me your Little Lifejouys, I can share them on a Monday and help others to feel happier too. Thank you so much.