Reading Your Signals
Hello Gardeners!
When writing You Are A Gardener, author #ShannaTruffini, made a real effort not to depict stress, anxiety, and sadness in this outwardly negative way, but remind gardeners that EVERY garden has weeds.
"So many books that I had read previously identify stress and anxiety as dark clouds, something heavy, a worry. Stress happens, weeds happen. It's just a natural fact."
-Shanna Truffini
What if instead of categorizing our emotions as good or bad, or wanted or unwanted, we used them as #signals that help us come up with solutions? Instead of being frustrated that you are feeling stressed or trying to ignore the feeling of stress, ask yourself, "Why am I feeling this way? What is this feeling of stress trying to tell me?"
Notice how your body feels. Can you figure out what caused this emotion to come up? A great example of this is when you feel that kind of jittery, butterflies, sick-to-your-stomach feeling before a big test, game, or performance.
That feeling is probably a signal that you are nervous! Look at it as a reminder to take a few deep breaths, a reminder of the practice and preparation you've put in, and just focus on doing your best.
Every day this week, take 5 minutes to notice how you are feeling at this very moment. Close your eyes, take slow, deep breaths, and notice any emotions that come up for you. If something does come up, ask yourself, "what does this feeling tell me?" Try to come up with a response to your signal or talk it through with someone you trust. **Remember, the best way to #PullAWeed is by talking about it!**
If you can practice this process of noticing a feeling and adjusting your mindset and behavior to address it, that will not only give you the confidence to push through those difficult moments, but it will help you communicate your needs to others.