FOUR FOR FRIDAY 15: SELF
"Everything good will happen. The grass will grow again when you can see several steps into the future."
-Robert Green
School’s back, and summer is wrapping up. How are you? Where are you at this point in your life? Take a moment to check in with yourself today. Next week marks our first Friday. Here are some tips that have been helping me and standing out in my own life.
1. Goodreads
My go-to app for saving books, discovering recommendations, and creating lists of books I’d like to read in the near future. If you’re not on this by now, you should definitely take a few moments to download it. This app helps me keep everything organized, from books I’m currently reading to those I’ve already finished and the ones I’m excited to read next. Give it a try, explore reviews from other users, and find your next great read!
2. Currently Watching: Alone Season 6
“Alone” is and has been one of my favorite shows (and if I’m being honest, the only show I watch regularly). The premise involves ten contestants being dropped off in remote locations around the world. These individuals are challenged to survive as long as they can with just their ten chosen items. There are no film crews, no extras—just the person, their ten items, and the challenge of survival until the last person drops out. This show has fascinated me for a while due to the contestants’ resolve, wilderness skills, morale, and attitude. Sometimes, based on someone’s outlook, I try to predict whether they have a fighting chance at winning or if they seem likely to drop out early. I enjoy learning about outdoor and wilderness skills, as well as survival tips. In my opinion, this show does an excellent job of teaching practical skills while also highlighting the extremities of determination and how mental fortitude can shape an individual’s outlook. You can find this show on Amazon Prime.
3. Change It Up
One standout quote in Gestalt practice is to “try its opposite on as if you’d try on a new outfit.” Gestalt-styled therapy has a knack for working with energy and encouraging individuals to play with different polarities. One idea that has been standing out to me recently is that we can sometimes get caught up in our ways, no longer challenging ourselves to step outside our comfort zones and try something new. I’d encourage you to try this out. Have something you’ve been wanting to do or become? Try out this new way of being much like you’d try on a funky outfit. Wear it for a moment, an afternoon, or a day. See how it feels. Gestalt therapy reminds us that though the extreme representation of whatever you are manifesting may not stick, a middle ground between where you are and this new action can.
4. Sweat Lodge
Since spring last year, I've started incorporating sweat lodges into my routine. Sweat lodges are traditional huts made from natural materials, used by Indigenous individuals for purification rites, promoting healthy living, and challenging one's ego to dissolution. The lodges are built to contain steam, often created by pouring water onto heated rocks to generate intense heat. In my experiences, these sessions are challenging to one's character and often leave me feeling relieved and cathartic. They are extremely challenging and should not be taken lightly. For those interested in trying this, please contact me directly as I have a connection with a local healer. These sessions can be tremendously beneficial to one's morale and psyche, offering a profound sense of release and connection to deeper levels of self.
Disclaimer: These tools are simply options, and what works for one person may not work for everyone. I neither encourage nor discourage their use. Ultimately, the decision of how to use this information rests with you. The information provided regarding the use of supplements is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is crucial to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen, particularly if you have pre-existing medical conditions, are pregnant or nursing, or are taking medications. Supplements have the potential to interact with medications or cause adverse effects in certain individuals. Furthermore, the efficacy and safety of supplements can vary based on factors such as dosage, formulation, and individual response. Supplements should be approached with caution and should not be viewed as a substitute for proper medical diagnosis, treatment, or management of health conditions. Statements regarding specific supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always adhere to the instructions provided by the manufacturer and consult a healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns.
