Why we must heed our own warnings
Warning: Dangerous, deep water

Why we must heed our own warnings

I pass this sign many mornings on my dog walk and it always makes me smile.

If only we had a similar sign that warned us of times when our thoughts get so deep and dangerous we find it hard to swim out of them.

I've certainly felt my thoughts spiralling quite a bit the last few days as lockdown looms larger and longer, and the light at the end of the tunnel seems to have hitchhiked a ride and landed further away than we first thought.

But the light IS there. Hope IS on the horizon. And there ARE signs when deep, dangerous waters of thought are nearby. We may not always have a well-posted sign, but our bodies tell us.

They are our warning signs.

Our heads hurt.

Our stomachs lurch.

Our chests heave.

And when we recognise those signs, we need to heed them, just as we would this one in my park. Here's two ways.

Avoid the deep waters. Actively choose not to step into them.Turn off the news, take a break from scrolling social media, go for a socially distanced walk with a friend or loved one, distract yourself with something you love that absorbs you whether that's baking a cake, listening to (an uplifting) podcast, playing lego with your kids, going for a run, clearing out and cleaning your cupboards while listening to loud music... whatever takes you away from that deep, dangerous water.

Swim your way out, or ask for a lifeboat. Forget what you need to DO and listen to what you need until you feel the ground under your feet again. Or hold up your hands in the water and wave them to ask for help. No-one needs to struggle alone. Be that professional help or family and friends. You'll get tired treading water, so ask for help before that happens.

On my walks, just past this sign, the lake evens out into a stunning shallow pond, filled with swans, ducks and herons, bursting with beautiful trees and bushes.

Beyond the deep, dangerous waters, there is beauty and safety. Beyond our deep, dangerous thoughts, there is clarity and safety.

Sending love...

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