Let Yourself Go…

When I was first divorced my world was shattered. I remember looking out of my living room window one morning about six months after my ex-husband left our family and releasing a deep breath. One of those kinds you feel throughout your entire body. Not long after that, I was listening to a country mix on iTunes when I heard the song, “She Let Herself Go” by George Strait. I couldn’t imagine at that time giving myself permission to let go. Fast-forward to today and I am so thankful for songs like that and the power music has to heal. Those words gave me such healing that I now give myself permission to let go often.

I am so thankful for people who don’t hold back and who share their thoughts and emotions through writing and music. For the people who remind us we aren’t alone in our struggles, feelings, concerns. Right now, more than ever, we need to know there are others out there like us. Some of you are scared and truly don’t know what to do. Some of you don’t feel okay. Not today. Not tomorrow. Maybe not next month. It’s okay to not be okay and it’s okay to share with someone that you aren’t feeling okay. That you are struggling with the changes and that you are scared.

For many who have faced death, we have an interesting way of looking at life. Something within us says, “If I made it through that, I can make it through this.” Not everyone has had that experience. For some of you, this is the scariest thing you’ve faced. I see and hear you. I want you to know that we will get through this together. It’s not really that your kids are too much…it’s that you’ve been working so hard you haven’t had time to truly enjoy them. It’s not that you don’t love your family…it’s that you’re really good at what you do at work but feel less confident about your parenting and marriage. It’s not really that you love being around others…it’s that you don’t you don’t like how much you can hear your own thoughts in the silence. It’s not what is appears…it’s deeper. And that is okay.

If we all do our part and listen to the regulations and follow the guidelines, we will be okay. If we all take a moment to exhale deeply, to reflect on what we can do with the moment we have, and to check in with those around us, we will get through this as a community. If you’re not feeling okay mentally, check in with a trusted friend or therapist who can help you process the emotions you are experiencing. Reach out to share with someone what’s going on inside. If you are in danger, call the national hotline for help please. If you start to feel anxiety at a level you can’t hand, check in within someone.

Give yourself permission today to let go and be where you are, whether that means you are okay or not okay. That is the only way you will get to the place where you are okay.