It’s almost been a year.
You know what I’m talking about – this time last year, the panic, fear and “oh my this is real” awareness was just starting to set in. Quarantine, mask orders, flatten the curve… all terms which are now part of my daily conversations were new and strange just 12 months ago.
Processing the pandemic impact will take years, both for personally and as a society. Layer in the human rights issues, challenges to our democracy and isolation… my friends, we are experiencing a shared, sustained and collective traumatic experience. Just check out the New York Time’s Primal Scream story if you’re skeptical.
It feels dramatic to write that: How can I have experienced a trauma when the hardest thing I’ve had to do is stay in a place that is safe? I had the opportunity to read an advance copy of Laura Khoudari‘s Lifting Heavy Things, her upcoming book on trauma and strength training being published by Life Tree Media on May 25th. Laura defines trauma, helps us understand our reactions to it, and shares recommendations on what do about it. I believe with 100% certainty that we all need healing from an ongoing trauma and that minimizing the impact of the last year (or any other trauma!) will do more harm.
In following Laura’s work as a trauma-informed healer, focusing on body-based treatment and movement, I’ve become aware that I’m someone who “thinks my feelings” rather than feeling them. And oh my, there’s been a lot of thinking in the last year! Laura’s book is helping me make the connection between my emotions and my body, and what to do about it. The thing about feelings is that you do need to feel them, in a safe and healing way. It sounds easier than it is. I’m using several of the accessible activities Laura shares in Lifting Heavy Things to help me put down some of the heaviness I’m carrying.
If you’re looking at March 2021 a little differently than March 2020, I recommend Laura’s book as one way to process what you’ve experienced over the last 12 months. We can put down heavy things, together.
work your happy 