Issue #38: What To Do When You're Not Ok

Not every day will be a great day and there is nothing wrong with admitting it.

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Hey friend!

I had an entire newsletter outlined today about going from Burnout to Balanced. As I sat here typing and then repeatedly hitting backspace, I realized that I couldn’t force it.

To be honest with you, at this moment I am not ok.

I’ve shared this before, but every month I experience something called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (or PMDD for short). PMDD is basically PMS on steroids. About a week or two before my cycle starts, I experience intense sadness and anxiety. While medication helps a ton and allows me to still somewhat operate like a normal human being. Some days still get the best of me and I find myself struggling to keep up.

After being diagnosed over a year ago, I realized instead of trying to push through and force myself to operate at 100% that I would give myself the grace to do the bare minimum.

If I’m not ok then I can’t create at the level that I desire to or at the level that I feel like you deserve. So instead here is what I’m going to focus on over the next few days.

REGULATING MY NERVOUS SYSTEM

For me, this looks like doing a few restorative yoga sessions and body scan meditations. Whatever will help me to calm down and not aggravate the anxious feelings that I currently have.

JOURNAL THROUGH MY THOUGHTS

With PMDD often comes a lot of negative thoughts. My goal, when I feel up to it, is to journal through these thoughts and be intentional about focusing on what’s true. PMDD can make you feel like your entire world is falling apart and that you can’t do anything right. While life certainly may suck right now, there is always a little bit of good that you can focus on. Even if that’s just acknowledging that you woke up this morning.

REARRANGING MY SCHEDULE

I’m thankful for the people that I get to work with who understand my need for rest and who are willing to be flexible to reschedule calls as needed. I used to feel so guilty about needing to cancel obligations but now I try to be as honest as possible with them about what I can handle in the moment.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE GOOD MOMENTS

Sometimes there are bursts of energy where I feel like I can do more than the bare minimum. When those moments hit, I try to lightly take advantage of them. I’ll work on a small project, straighten up around the house or try to be a little more present with my family.

When I decided to go all in with Mind Body Brand, my goal was to never just sit here and hand out advice all day but to show you that I am on this same journey with you. While I have learned a lot about taking better care of myself as someone who has dealt with anxiety, burnout, and depression, at the end of the day I am still a human. I go through crap just like everyone else.

So if you're reading this, just know that you are not alone and this too shall pass.

In the comments, I’d love to know what you do when you’re not feeling ok. Do you let go or keep pushing forward?

– Alisha ♥️

❌ Missed last week’s issue? We debunked a few common myths about what it means to really rest. Catch up on last week’s issue!

🎥 With there being a huge push for short-form content over the past couple of years, we have to ask, is shorter content better?

🛑 As someone who struggled with wanting her pre-baby body back, this article on how to stop comparing your current body to your former one is highly timely.

🤰🏼 Keeping up with friendships as an adult is hard. But maintaining those adult friendships after kids can almost feel impossible. Thankfully, there is a guide.

✨ 200+ affirmations to read when you’re feeling anxious.

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