Not all flowers & fluffy feels

Life is not, and never will be, all flower petals and fluffy feels.

Just like so many, I look for the path of the feel-good whenever I can. Marie Kondo is definitely onto something when she advises us to ask “Does this bring you joy?”.

That said, the path of least resistance isn’t necessarily enjoyable. When we’re between a rock and a hard place, we’ve gotta know how to emotionally regulate such that we can manoeuvre to where we can be in a more stable situation.

Knowing how to be real and honest, how to ease off expectation, and how to dwell in unconditional trust are valuable skills for such self-regulation. Tools like Non-Violent Communication (NVC) and the Four Agreements provide solid stepping stones to find those places of stability and connection.

So sure, the petals of bliss may not rain down upon our brow constantly. It might even feel like big sloppy mud rain instead. But what we can do is learn to dance through it with skill, grace and as much joy as we can conjure.

Working with people to help them develop these life skills brings me joy. And I’m learning all the time. So I’m curious, what tools do you use to self-regulate when in sticky situations? 🌿