creating space for overwhelm
Yesterday was a day full of overwhelm, and as I found myself practicing self-care in many ways today, I wanted to share a few of the thoughts that led me from there to here. (You will see the video is in two parts because of an interruption in the middle and then Ellie makes an appearance at the end, which still has me laughing just a bit.)
In the video, I mention Jen Lee's new Iconic Self Home Retreat Kit and I am wearing the "you don't have to be so good" t-shirt that is part of the Iconic Self. I am just diving into the conversation between Jen and Phyllis Mathis that takes place over four CDs, and I will share more about my experience with this kit soon. (so so good)
(And I can't help but tell you that the wall behind me used to have three huge bookcases on it that we moved last week while my mom was here. and now it is a blank canvas for some photos I have been wanting to put up for a long time. Can't wait to show you more as I keep making this house into the home we most want live in.)
*****
This week, I am readying the Create Space classroom for the session that begins this Sunday. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have these conversations about how we can create space for all that we feel and experience and how we can honor who we are, where we have been, and where we want to go.
I want to share what Stephani, a participant from the last session, said in response to one of the lessons in the course:
I've never really asked myself, "What do you need today, kid?" I know what I want, but have never given myself real permission to give it voice and to allow it to be real and not a dream of "one day, maybe some time in the future." Such emotion has filled me today because I believe I CAN, instead of wondering IF I can. This practice for me personally has lifted a layer of self-doubt, negative talk and given me the motivation to throw out my beautiful box of excuses with tomorrow's trash…I truly am where I need to be right now.
You can read a few more testimonials over on the Create Space page. Registration is ongoing until class begins next week.
Blessings and light,
Liz
creating space in in moving pictures, real 
Reader Comments (17)
What a beautiful post! I've had moments like yours in the post office too. I've learned the times when you are really forced to remain the in moments that don't feel so good do serve to teach us something. Sometimes even more so than the comfy cozy times. When I am really pushed to the limit like that, if I take the time to figure out what the hell is going on and why I'm reacting...I truly learn about myself. Sometimes it's stuff I don't like but I'm always grateful for the opportunity to discover what I'd like to change. Self awareness can drive me crazy sometimes!
Three cheers for Starbucks and long drives in the car for bringing us back to the comfy cozy because those moments serve EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. Love!
what a wonderful reminder, liz, thanks for keeping things real here. soooo appreciate it! :)
Oh sweet spirit, thank you for sharing this truth.
Being enough doesn't mean being it all...doing enough doesn't mean doing it all.
There's deep healing in that piece of wisdom.
And I have to say how much that sweet baby's face looks like yours but when I've seen her
in pictures with her daddy, I see his features too! What a beautiful combination of the two of you.
oh my word. I hit overwhelm just the other day...when i woke up too late for my morning coffee. coffee is my comfort. so i decided to get some...when the drive thru line was too long, it "hit"....i just had to........ "stop." i went in for my coffee that day, and a new blog was born. I want to thank you for helping me see "outside of the box"
feel free to stop in...when you have a moment (lol) coffeeandadoughnut.blogspot.com
~simply~
It's so hard sometimes to pause in the midst of the overwhelm.
But it's a good reminder to question and listen to what
we need in those moments.
~ hello cutie at the end of the video!! Ellie is such a cutie!
Thanks for this great video. "Creating Space for the Overwhelm" is something I definitely want to put into practice. Watching your videos always give me this sense of calm. Your honesty is oh so refreshing. Keep the videos coming. I could watch them all day :). xxoxo
This is awesome! I so need to put this into practice. Thank you for sharing this!!!
Your video put the biggest smile on my face! Thank you so much for sharing....and your little one.....she is precious!!!
The serendipity of your posts are awesome. Yesterday I had a huge wave of overwhelm, which threatened to swallow me up and your reminder of the fact that I can't do it all was much needed. So I sat with the wave and in the end I realised that actually it would be ok, that the world wouldn't actually end because I hadn't hit the perfect expectations of myself. I also felt your thoughts on being labeled the good girl most deeply,the acknowledgment of that label gave me a whole new way of looking at my expectations and of those around me. You are star :) And the love between you and your little girl at the end was most special too ;)
Seredipity brought me here just at the right moment. Yesterday was overwhelm. Today I will take a few minutes for me. I give myself permission to ask the right questions.I know deep inside that Finding Truth always begins with questions but needed reminding. Thank you.
Ellie Jane just brought bright tears to my eyes.
Hi Ellie! Love to you!
(and your mum)
*mwah*
That was beautiful and true. Thank you for sharing.
Oh how I needed this. I love hearing your voice and seeing you.
Some days I think {I know really} that your presence in my life these days, however peripherally, is the reason why i got to be at your retreat last year. I believe that fate and the Universe working together puts where we are meant to be at any given moment.
So today, in this moment, I thank you for reminding me that sometimes I have to sit in that space of being overwhelmed...to welcome it but not be overcome by it....to let me hear that it's okay and that I'm not alone in my own experience of that emotional roller coaster of trying to be enough at all times.
thanks for the smiles & laughs! really needed it. i've come out of a week of "overwhelm" it was Brutal. i'm glad you are taking care of yourself. i did that today by going to the acupuncturist, crossing things off my to do list and then cooking dinner (not in the crockpot though! LOL) my doctor told me today when i get those feelings of anxiety & overwhelm, to be in the space b/w thoughts. feel what's it like. i was also reminded to "start where i am", to keep an open heart to let it in & out. blessings, love & light to you too! xo alane
I've seen your posts over at Roots of She (I *loved* your contribution this week by the way), but it's taken me 'til now to actually visit your site, and it's thanks to a recommendation by Amanda at Kind Over Matter that I'm here. What a beautiful first post to find. Your message in this video speaks volumes to me. Yesterday, I truly hit overwhelm. I'd geared myself up for a day off work as the snow drew in. But I ended up having to go in after all. So already, my mindset wasn't right. And then it was a hard day. I had an upsetting exchange with a colleague (which I don't think was her intention, but I'm a very sensitive soul), and other things just didn't seem to go right. On the drive home, I tuned out of the podcast I had put on. I didn't want to hear anything. I didn't want to see anyone, and I scowled at every car, every lorry I passed. I headed into the bedroom to change when I got home, but I found myself crawling onto the inviting bed and curling up, settling into Child's Pose, where I stayed until my boyfriend came looking for me. Sometimes we absolutely have to give in to what our bodies are telling us and allow ourselves the space to rest, to just be.
Thank you for a beautifully honest video. And for sharing your gorgeous little girl too! She made me smile.
oh I just love your videos, Liz. I love your writing, but I LOVE LOVE seeing you & hearing your voice. It has such a soothing, nurturing quality to it. and it always feels like you're talking directly to me. you have a great gift. And Ellie! wow - she's is a growing girl! so cute! :) much love.