Claiming My Space

Past abuse and trauma tended to make me feel spacy, scared, out of my body. Some of this was an understandable use of a survival technique at the time of trauma. But now, in current time, when I don't want to feel horribly spacy and scared, I have some new techniques to use. Tools in my proverbial self help tool box.

I first make sure that I've eaten recently, so that I am not dealing with hunger and low blood sugar too. I get some water. I walk around my apartment and really look at it, touch the walls even, reclaim my space. I pay attention to my senses. What do I see, hear, taste, feel, scent?

I dream up ways to feel more present and grounded. Hey, maybe it's time to move furniture around! Maybe it is cleaning time, maybe some incense or sage or candles burning would be nice.

Housecleaning gets me moving, gets me back into my body, a bit more out of my head. And it also has a wonderful result. Actions that have results are great.

If I am going through painful body memories too, I do comforting things. Hot bath, favorite robe, good book. Cookies. Hold a teddy bear. I've even guided myself through a process where I touch most every part of my body and say something out loud about it being mine. -My head-. -My arms-.

Airing out my apartment, changing the fragrance with incense or essential oils, even cleaning my dishes with lemony stuff, all helps mark my environment.

Maybe I need music on or maybe I need to quiet the apartment down. More light or maybe less. Doors and windows checked and locked once.

If I am able to, a walk might be in order. A gentle comfortable walk around the neighborhood, time to look at the sky, check out various gardens, feel the air.

Maybe I can pull a few weeds from the earth round my place. Maybe a flower needs a post or rock to help it stand up. Maybe something needs watering.

I work on knowing that I am worthy, I deserve my own space, my own body. I work to really assertively claim this. Mine.

Sarah

wow sarah Im glad i ran inro this post here. .maybe this is what im doing waking up at this hour, just to be able to read this kind of shared advice to take back to bed. Thanks for sharing youre tooosls

Thanks Sarah!! Those are all really great ideas.

Hi Sarah, these are really great tools to use. You arespeaking right to me. It's great that you have learned these things and can share them with us. Be well.