Listen to this episode Here! 
I Lost My Sh*t Yesterday (and Other Mental Health Moments)
As we wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to check in with you and see how you’re doing. How’s your heart? How’s your mind? How’s your body? Your soul? All month long, we’ve been sharing special meditations that can support you on your mental health journey. And even sharing other podcasts we think you might like for the same reason. I hope you’ve been enjoying them all!
To conclude this month, I thought it would be fun to share a few of my “mental health moments” from May. How I felt, what happened because of how I felt, and what I did about it.
I’m doing this for a few reasons.
???????? Because I want you to know I’m human. And no matter how much I preach about inner peace, alignment and meditation, I am completely aware that I am perfectly imperfect.
???????? Because I want you to know that you’re not alone. All of us experience dark moments and carry heavy stuff. It ain’t pretty. But it’s purposeful. And I believe it’s a part of what carves us into our greatness.
???????? Because I want to share helpful tools that perhaps you can use during your own “mental health moments.”
????Katie
What Is a “Mental Health Moment?”
I’m completely making this term up, so take it with a grain of salt, or use something else that works better for you if you need it. For me, a “mental health moment” is when the thoughts and emotions within me feel like they’re overtaking me. When I feel mis-aligned. When I feel chaos instead of peace.
(Ever feel this way too?)
MHM #1: I Felt Too Rushed & Annoyed on Vacation
I am a doer. Like, I get shit done. I don’t like waiting around or contemplating options for too long. Which means that when we go on family vacations, either alone or with friends, I’m the travel agent. As you can imagine, this comes with pros and cons.
The ultimate downside is that I can feel overwhelmed fast during a time when I’m supposed to be relaxing. I can busy myself with the logistics of what we’re doing on vacation, what excursion we’re signing up for, where we’re eating, etc. You get the point.
Last week, we went to the Florida Keys with friends of ours. A few days into the trip, I hit the wall of overwhelm and I found myself in a Mental Health Moment. The signs? I was annoyed. Tired. Cranky.
I found myself barking at my husband for no reason.
What did I do?
Thankfully, my husband is incredible and could see the mood I was in. So, one morning, he gently suggested that he and I go on a long walk on the 7 Mile Bridge. He knew I loved running there and that being out with him on the water would be healing.
For the first few minutes, we talked and walked. And then I just ran. I ran for miles until I couldn’t run anymore. I felt the catharsis of the sweat melt all the thoughts and emotions away. And once I was done, I felt cleansed, renewed and refreshed.
Tools: Movement. Sweating. Nature.
(No pic of me running, but here’s one of me working out in the hotel fitness center. I made sure to move every day to keep my mind right.)
MHM #2: I’m Stressin’ About the Summer
Today is my girls’ last day of school. In years past, I’ve had a good mix of summer camps, play dates, vacations and time with family that would provide some sort of childcare so I could have time to work.
Last summer, however, my kids vehemently rejected summer camps. That’s a story for another time.
So, this summer, I have one week of camp scheduled. Then it’s Camp Krimitsos (basically a week-long play date with friends) and then…the abyss of summer.
I like schedules. I like routine. So, I gotta say that I’ve been feeling stress and anxiety bubble up inside of me when it comes to the impending summer.
What do I do?
When I feel these feelings rise up, I usually do three things.
- I do my best to make plans so I know what I can rely on (i.e. solidifying that our friend can do her own play-date camp during another week of the summer).
- I communicate with the hubs, preparing him for the support I’m going to need (he, ironically, is the exact opposite of me and does not like schedules and routines ????).
- I let it go and trust that everything will work out just fine. I will find my time. I will have the support I need. I let go of trying to control all the pieces.
This is very hard for me to do. For you too? That’s where my meditation practice comes in. Lately, that’s looked like early mornings, sitting with my coffee on my lap while closing my eyes before my kids are awake. Sometimes for 10 minutes. Sometimes for an hour. The more I do this, the easier it becomes to let go of the stress and surrender to the new rhythm of life that begins tomorrow.
Tools: Asking for the support you need. Meditation.
(Camp Krimitsos is basically “childcare sharing” with good friends. I invite 2 or 3 other families to bring their kids over, giving them the option to just drop off or stay. It makes life easier on me with the kids playing together, and gives the other moms a break when needed! Then we rotate to another family’s camp. 😉 Cool, right?)
MHM #3: I Lost My Sh*t Yesterday
Let’s talk about lack of sleep for a second. I love getting up early. I usually stay up late. Add that up over time, including a vacation, and that equals a woman who is super exhausted.
I was pretty much delirious with tiredness yesterday and by bedtime, that meant that I was spikey and cranky. I yelled at my kids. I yelled at my husband. I was not fun to be around. My daughter even made me a video on my phone, telling me everyone’s being mean to her and that she thinks I don’t like her. ????(Oh, the apologies and repair and hugs that happened today).
What did I do?
I let my kids watch TV after school. I asked my friend who is visiting to cook dinner. I asked my husband to put the kids down. And I went to sleep early, listening to a sleep meditation.
This morning, I did all the apologizing. To my husband. To each of my girls. Hugged Savannah extra tight and asked for forgiveness. And promised myself I’d do my best to go to bed earlier tonight.
When exhaustion takes over, the emotions and thoughts we think are us, are really just our bodies desperately needing rest.
Tools: Sleep meditations. Apologies. Forgiveness (for ourselves and others). Shifting sleep schedules.
I hope that when your Mental Health Moments come about, you can use some of these tools to move you through them. To remember who you are, and get yourself back into alignment.
Big, big hugs today..
????Katie
Namaste, Beautiful…????
Katie Krimitsos
Creator of the Women’s Meditation Network
katie@womensmeditationnetwork.com
