Feeling Enough During Back-to-School
It is around the corner.
Back to school feels are up in the air, moving feverishly in the spaces between us.
And if we aren’t mindful of the energy of the times, we may unintentionally create, recreate & even imbue our emotional and mental stories of back-to-school on others (particularly our loved ones near and dear to us, and perhaps most importantly, our children).
Even if neither you, nor anyone in your family, is going back to school, this time of year often invites a freshness, a precipice of learning, a new chapter for many people. Some even refer to it as a “second New Year”.
So, hold up.
Before you get all in a tizzy about back-to-school, check your energy around it.
Are you filled with joy and excitement for “bouquets of sharpened pencils” (You’ve Got Mail reference) or are you filled with dread for what you’ll wear and who you will impress in the months ahead?
Is back to school a happy moment for you? Or one filled with anxiety?
For many of my clients, there is currently a theme of “not enoughness” presenting itself and this theme seems to be getting more pronounced as we inch closer to September.
“I thought I would be further along by now.” “How come so-and-so seems to have it all together, all the freakin’ time?” “If I don’t figure out what the heck to do with my life soon, I am totally screwed.” Literally. These have been parts of my recent conversations with clients.
Let’s pause.
Breathe.
Rein in our emotional and mental story-lines.
Let’s be present to what is, living in the now rather than in anxiety for a future that has yet to unfold - gripped by our intense desire to control life.
Oy.
Here are 3 things to support you in feeling enough during back-to-school:
Enjoy what you already have. When we forget to live from a space of gratitude and enjoyment for what is already in our lives (be it material, social, intellectual, emotional or spiritual) we feel lost in the last of not-enoughness. We live in a constant chase for the next best thing and derive our sense of worth and belonging from external factors. That is why back-to-school is the perfect time to reconnect to our innate wholeness, goodness & worthiness.
Notice how far you have come rather than how far you have yet to go, to reach your self-imposed destination. Goals and pursuit of goals can be awesome, but not at the expense of making our everyday reality a living hell. It is critical for us to take time to appreciate and to feel PRIDE for how far we have come in our journey of self-discovery, self-actualization, as well as in our journey of contribution & purpose.
Remember that all comparison is born out of ego, and is NOT grounded in your TRUE-SELF. So in the days to come, spend more time meditating, getting quiet & connecting to who you truly are*.
*Who we truly are can only be experienced from the space of consciousness. This means, we can feel and BE who we truly are when we are fully aware of who and what we are not. Awareness of the ego & form identity is the first step to the understanding, and embodied living, from the space of our TRUE-SELVES. Want to learn more and get (re)connected to your Truth? I am happy to help.