Lisa asks 'Is Your Fish Tank Full'?
At this time of year, after all the stress of bringing together connections, making the holiday important for loved ones, ourselves and trying to live up to the social expectations which Christmas brings, it is also a time where we may feel tired, exhausted, financially stressed as well as coping with illnesses and getting back into routine and our way of normal.
Trying to navigate our way through January and the early months of the year, can bring different stresses and be difficult sometimes to see our way into Spring…
One of the exercises which I would like you to try, is to see if your fish tank is at a nice balance or if it is overflowing…. And if it is overflowing, what would you like to reduce. What slight differences can be made.
This exercise is quick and easy and can be used whenever you feel stressed.
If you draw a fish tank i.e., a bottom and two sides but no top (rectangle on its side)
Then think about the stresses you currently have, where would you place these on your fish tank i.e., money then draw a line, work etc… most will then see that their fish tank has overflowed, there is no more room to put anything else in.
By looking at each segment individually, then ask yourself, what is it that is causing me to feel stressed/anxious/worried?
What can I change i.e., money – do I need to set up payment plans/do I need to reduce a payment to help over this month?
Health – what can I do to help me with my self-care each day which will only take up 5 minutes.… you will see that although you may not be able to reduce each section, there will be at least one which you can… which will help reduce your fish tank!
You may also see that some of the things that you are stressed with are out of your control and it is then a mindful approach to try and accept and look at what you can reduce. It maybe that some of the worries/stress is not your own, or can be shared which will help reduce.
I invite everyone to look at your fish tank and see if you can reduce something in your life which will help you with your own self-care and putting your needs first.
