Do you remember your dreams of someday that blossomed with imagination and childlike wonder?
When we go through a state of prolonged stress, the most basic needs of being a human become a priority such as food, water, warmth, rest, and safety. The pause button is activated as our hopes, growth, dreams, and creativity may fall wayside. The shift to survival puts all of that on hold.
Survival mode is a protective mechanism within our body that is meant to keep us safe from harm. Whether it is real or perceived harm, either way, the brain sends a cascade of signals to the rest of our body to fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. Many are aware of the “fear response” but how do we know when we are stuck in a fear response, even after the threat is no longer imminent.
Sometimes, survival mode becomes our default and we get stuck. We are not even aware of the slow shift that takes place over months, years, or even a lifetime.
But we can press the play button again. In fact, it is imperative to our overall well-being to integrate our thriving selves into life, especially during extended stress and chaos. It is a really amazing skill set we have as humans. We can shift out of survival mode through a moment that sparks a memory of that dreaming self or we can CHOOSE to invest in ourselves and observe the life we are living?
And then recalibrate, realign, rediscover, reintegrate or RE-EMERGE.
It takes practice….we can do it. We were built to grow, heal, experience life, practice, and repeat. In fact, we are in constant re-emergence.
We already have the tools to navigate the ebbs and flows of life. Sometimes we just forget and get stuck in survival mode. The collective human experience from the last year may have put many of us in a default survival mode and we don’t even know it! It has become the new normal. How do we know if we are living in default survival mode?
- What would a pause of reflection look like for each of us?
- When was the last time you lost track of time because you were enjoying yourself?
- Do you even remember who that person was before this all started?
- How have you grown through it all and what new facets of yourself have been revealed?
- How would you choose to live differently?
- What works and what are you ready to let go of?
Are you ready to re-emerge?
Sometimes we just need a reminder of who we are, our dreams, joys, and what we love. So begin taking inventory of all that you have been through and notice where you are today. Make it a priority to step away from your routine to give yourself perspective. Give yourself time to quiet the mind so that your “wise guide inside” can take center stage and have a voice loud enough to be heard. Play. Let yourself be creative and immerse yourself into something you enjoy. Put yourself in a new environment or try a new hobby. Finally, create a ceremony to consciously let go of what no longer serves your highest good so that you can celebrate your re-emergence into life once again. Begin to pick up all these pieces and rediscover yourself and create a life filled with opportunities to grow, heal, fall down, stand up, and re-emerge.
