Safety Amidst the Chaos
In our Rare Family Dynamics workshop this week we talked about creating safety from the inside out. When you feel safe inside yourself, you can navigate the chaos that life presents with greater ease.
It is challenging to feel safe in a world with so many unknowns. The key is to trust yourself and stay present in your body. The body will support you to be grounded in the moment.
Receiving a diagnosis
When you first receive a diagnosis, it may send you into a spin because your world is turned upside down. Maybe postpartum depression kicks in. You need to find help. Read books, find a good therapist and a supportive community.
You will go through the process of learning what it's like to be a raregiver. In time, you will demystify this new territory.
It can be helpful to reframe your situation and find things to be grateful for. You are in an ongoing practice of accepting what is.
Release the pressure
When you are living with the chronic stress that comes with raising a Rare child, it's a good idea to be really intentional about letting the steam out of the pot every day.
Ways to do this:
Go for a long walks or jogs
Attend a support group
Step outside and breathe the fresh air
Rest your hand on your chest
Affirm that you are enough by saying "I am enough”
Affirm that you are safe and held
Spend time in places and with people with whom you feel safe
Meditate or pray to find safety inside yourself
A Throughline
As a raregiver, there is a throughline of things being new and unsafe. New things can be challenging.
Find the familiar. Your inner space is familiar. Take time to get to know yourself this way you can find safety when you feel unsafe by going within.
Self-care
A little bit of self-care goes a long way and a self-care check-in doesn't have to be a time burden. You could take 30 seconds of mindful breathing to check in and see how you're doing.
Ask yourself, how am I doing? You might feel fine and you might not. Tell the truth. Being able to find safety within yourself helps you find safety in your relationships and in the world.
Coming up this week: Acceptance of What Is
We will discuss the different stages of acceptance you go through as a raregiver. A diagnosis impacts the adults in the family as well as any siblings. The entire structure of your family changes in an instant and there is much to accept and integrate. In this meeting, you will explore what’s hard to accept as well as acknowledging the places you may feel guilty or like you’ve somehow failed your Rare child. You will learn tools for interrupting the Inner Critic and cultivating self-love.
You Belong Here
As a Raregiver, you belong here. We gather from across the world to support each other. Your presence is a contribution.
Zoom Link: Click Here
We look forward to being with you.
Warm blessings,
Padma
