THE LAMPLIGHTER CHAPTERS
Sometimes, I can’t see the wood for the trees. I feel anxious and stare into the night. I worry about everyone. I worry about all the things that could happen way off in the future and all the things that may never happen, just in case. Sound familiar?
Sometimes, I worry about myself. I wonder how I’ll manage on a couple of hours sleep (after all the worrying) and if I might be able to get to the bathroom before the tears run down my cheeks. Finding my inner strength doesn’t always come easy.
Here are some of the ways I practice using my inner voice to help me find my inner strength.
- Hold space for yourself
If I find myself in the bathroom stressed out and ready to cry, I allow myself three to five minutes behind the door to do just that! Then I emerge fresh-faced and smiling again, ready to take on the world. I feel a little better knowing I held that space for myself and gave myself some grace. I am only human. I can only carry so much. It’s ok for me to find a release of tension by crying it out occasionally. My strength isn’t in doing it all, it’s in knowing my limits.
- Whisper an affirmation to yourself, even if you don’t believe it yet
In troublesome times I tell myself it will pass. I affirm it to myself like a crazy person and have it as a screen saver on my phone. A reminder that nothing is forever.
When I cry, I tell myself, “I am so strong.”
I know it’s true. I endure, I keep showing up. I don’t quit unless quitting is the next right thing. I tell myself these things because I have to believe in me. I have to love myself. I have to know I am enough and can do hard things.
- When the load feels too heavy, put it down for a while. The world will wait
Sometimes I cancel. I don’t cook dinner, I don’t read the bedtime story and I get into bed with my clothes on because thats the best I can do right now. Its still my best. Resting and working on my mental health today means that I will feel more able tomorrow. I do not have to do all the things, for all the people, all the time and neither do you.
- Choose at least one small act of kindness toward yourself each day.
Read the book, take the bath, sit in a cafe and have someone make you coffee. Go for a walk, sit on a bench and watch the world go by.
“Hard” will pass. I am still strong. And so are you. Everything will be alright.
© 2025 Juliette Proffitt ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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