These few minutes together,
We're going to offer some nice gentle breaths to parts of us that might be fatigued,
Especially from masking and trying to hold things together,
Perform in a certain way,
Really holding this tension of what the world around us has seen,
How we have shown up in the world,
And what we've been carrying internally.
If you'd like to explore these themes more,
I have a longer audio about masking and curiosity that you can find.
And in this space,
We're just going to spend a few minutes slowing down,
Anchoring in our breath,
Creating some space for fatigued parts of us to join us in those deep breaths,
Moving into some restorative inhales and exhales.
So whenever you're ready,
You can find a comfortable place to sit or lay down,
Shifting your body as much or as little as you might want or need to,
Pausing the audio at any point if you'd like more time to get settled in,
And placing a hand over your heart and your abdomen or anywhere else that feels more safe and comfortable.
I invite you to tune in with the ways that your body is carrying exhaustion and fatigue,
Especially from masking.
So this is an invitation to see how parts of us might be communicating to us through our body.
How parts of us might communicate fatigue or needs in the heaviness or stress or tension or exhaustion that we might be carrying in our body.
So again,
You can pause the audio here if you would like any more time to slow down and get curious about this.
Whatever you might be noticing whatever you might be tuning into.
I invite you to either imagine holding that,
Or maybe even tangibly and physically holding yourself.
So this might be allowing yourself to curl into a ball,
Wrapping your arms around your legs,
Maybe even tucking your chin and your head into your chest.
This might be holding the sides of your face,
Or your opposite arms or shoulders,
The lower part of your abdomen or gut,
The top of your head.
Even if it feels a bit silly or strange,
Simply noticing if there's any way that your body would like to be held right now in the fatigue that you're experiencing and the exhaustion that you're carrying.
Again,
Simply being curious about how different parts of you might be communicating through your body.
How part of you that works really hard in masking might be saying,
Hey,
I'm tired.
I don't feel like I can stop doing what I'm doing.
This is my job and it's important.
But I need a break.
I need some attunement.
I need some care.
Maybe it's simply a sense of,
I need to be seen and heard.
I need to be witnessed.
This is something that can be tricky when masking often involves the outside world seeing one thing,
But not seeing what we're really carrying inside,
Not seeing how hard we are working,
How heavy of a load we are navigating and carrying.
And so creating just a little bit of spaciousness here to witness that,
To witness and be with what's happening internally that others have not seen.
Maybe we've even tried to help others understand what is going on in our internal world.
But it seems like the muscle memory of our masking is so strong.
But it's almost like this barrier,
Or the screen that keeps people from really being able to see what's going on within.
And so as we know that,
And as we understand and get curious to understand more deeply what it is that we are carrying internally.
As we're masking in the exhaustion on the other side of masking.
We can offer a unique kind of witnessing a unique kind of compassion and attunement and care.
If you'd like more time to get curious about this,
You can pause the audio.
Otherwise,
The last thing we're going to do is simply ask our internal world.
Is there anything that you need from me right now.
This might be a hug.
This might be five minutes to lay flat on our back in silence,
Or listening to a favorite song.
This might be five minutes to go walk outside,
Or stand beneath a tree,
Or simply let our feet sink into the earth beneath us.
Whatever it might be any feedback that you're receiving from your internal world.
I invite you to just be curious.
Noticing what's popping up and honoring with authenticity.
Does this feel like something I can respond to something that is constructive and safe.
Something that all parts of me are on board with to take a moment or a few moments.
Not viewing this part or parts of me that are responding as a problem that I'm trying to silence.
But instead,
Honoring the whole of who I am,
Including this part of these parts of me that are reaching out.
Being curious about how I might most authentically respond to that and meet them today.
Letting them know that I hear them.
I see them.
I see them.
I care.
And I want to respond.
Even if I don't quite know how to do that yet.
Even if it feels messy or silly or strange.
It's taking a moment to notice how this is sitting with you.
Being honest with yourself being honest with parts of you,
Not feeling pressure to feel a certain way or respond a certain way.
And before we close deciding how you would like to end this time.
If you'd like to end this time,
Responding to the feedback that you received,
Or making a plan to spend some time responding to that.
Or maybe simply creating space to sit with this a bit longer,
If it just doesn't really feel natural or connected yet.
Being right where you are,
Honoring right where you are.
And before shifting back into your day,
Pausing this audio if you would like any more time here.
Otherwise inviting a few gentle breaths in and out.
Bringing some gentle movement to your body this might be rolling your wrists or your ankles,
Stretching out your arms or legs lengthening your spine.
Maybe deepening your breath even inviting a yawn or a sigh.
Opening your eyes if they're closed.
Placing your hands on the ground,
Anchoring the space that you're in.
And whenever you're ready,
Reentering your day.
