#mindfullness

[msprayforever]

That's right, drop everything. :)

[hopeful-recoveryy]

Reminder that when your therapist glances at the clock, it’s usually to gauge whether there’s enough time to explore a heavier topic or to ensure your session ends not too abruptly. It doesn’t mean they’re tired of you or counting down the minutes until you go. They are planning how best to spend the rest of your session so you leave feeling satisfied with what you spoke about and safe enough to be on your own.

It’s you therapist’s job to be interested in what you have to say and make you feel better during your sessions.

[biblicallyaccuratemoth]

Happy (late) Moth Monday everyone!

What's that? Why yes, I do love The Owl House. Why do you ask?

This is my reminder to you that no self-love can begin without challenging and (often) reframing self-loathing.

[chronicallycouchbound]

PSA: Please don’t ask participants to do grounding/mindful/somatic/etc practices at your events

Grounding exercises should not be an activity in large group settings, especially unsolicited and without warning, especially if you’re not aware of every single person in the space’s mental health conditions, physical health conditions, and personal relationship to their body.

Practices such as mindfulness, grounding, somatic exercises, breathing techniques, body scans, etc. are very helpful therapeutic tools to help manage stress. They can (and do!) help plenty of people– when taught safely and used effectively!

HOWEVER for people with conditions that cause psychosis and/or dissociative conditions such as depersonalization/derealization, these techniques are contraindicated and can make their symptoms significantly worse. They should only be used with guidance from their mental health team and adapted to their needs. For people with conditions like anxiety and PTSD, being aware of breathing can trigger a trauma response or anxiety attacks.

And for people with conditions that cause chronic pain or other uncomfortable bodily sensations, becoming re-centered with their bodies can cause more awareness of the pain they are in, which a level of (ideally functional) dissociation is actually helpful. For people in wheelchairs and powerchairs, touching the ground beneath their feet isn’t always an option. For people with cardiac and pulmonary conditions, deep breathing can be impossible or can trigger asthma attacks. For disabled people in general, doing body scans can be impossible due to paralysis or limb differences. They can bring awareness to things the person wasn’t aware were wrong to begin with (which is helpful in certain spaces, but not a great ice breaker at a retreat!)

And for trans people, binders and other garments can restrict breathing, and taking repeated deep breaths while binding can cause rib damage (which is why you shouldn't bind at night, while coughing from sickness, while exercising, etc). Becoming centered in a body that makes you dysphoric can be deeply distressing, again, a level of functional dissociation helps.

This also goes for plenty of other people in marginalized bodies, such as people of color, people who use substances, queer people, and more. Becoming grounded in your own marginalized body can be a heavy weight to carry, and needs appropriate and individualized care to be a beneficial experience.

As an alternative, I suggest doing a round of gratitudes instead, it allows for people to choose their level of vulnerability in spaces, while not being generally contraindicated for many people. Doing fun (and appropriate to the setting) icebreakers are great. Ask what brings someone to the space. Check-ins about basic needs such as if people need to use the restroom, eat, drink water, are rested, etc. can be more appropriate body check-ins for folks to do.

I don’t recommend doing these exercises even with a warning beforehand. If I'm in the room while someone is leading a breathing exercise, even if I try to ignore it, I (and most people) would automatically become aware of my breathing. The same goes for any other techniques. These techniques can cause real, life-threatening levels of harm for some people, and can even just be deeply uncomfortable or distressing for others. Dissociation is not inherently evil or bad or harmful. It is the way the body and mind naturally respond to adverse experiences (note: it can also cause distress and at higher levels, can be disordered) it is best to allow people to exist as they are in communal spaces. Let people show up as they are.

Most spaces are not equipped or appropriate to respond to emergencies, difficult feelings, and all the varied responses that can come from folks doing mindfulness in group settings.

I personally do some things before large gatherings and events to feel centered on the activity I’ll be doing, and afterward, I decompress. Encourage participants to lean on their natural supports and offer suggestions for it! Be creative in your caring!

This also doesn’t mean to discourage these practices! If you see someone doing deep breathing, check in with them, offer a space for them to decompress, care for them! Worksheets or posters on techniques like square breathing and 5 senses check-ins are great for a quiet room or spaces where participants can decide if they want/are able to engage with those tools. It should be a fully consensual opt-in, rather than being forced to opt-out. Having to leave a room when a group leader says “We’re going to start a mindful breathing meditation, please feel free to leave if you have psychosis, chronic pain, or are trans” is obviously othering and outs people.

Sincerely, someone who has psychotic symptoms, dissociation, chronic pain, is trans and whose body is marginalized in many ways and is really tired from trying to explain this at every event I go to

[fuzzyghost]

[soulhealingastrologywithamanda]

Astrology + Exercises + Journal Prompt for Friday July 10th

Venus trine Chiron; Venus opposite North Node; North Node sextile Chiron

On Friday, the sky is deeply Chironic—Chiron is highly activated, making this a day centered on healing, self‑worth, and emotional release. Venus in Virgo trines Chiron in Taurus, and because Venus rules Chiron, this aspect lands directly in the heart. Venus is also conjunct the South Node in Virgo, placing her opposite the North Node in Pisces. At the same time, the North Node in Pisces sextiles Chiron in Taurus, and the South Node trines Chiron. This creates a fated, karmic moment to work with wounds around value, confidence, and self‑esteem.

Venus is semi‑sextile Jupiter in Leo, and Jupiter still rules the North Node—this is about stepping into your light, trusting your gifts, and believing in your creative potential. Venus is square Uranus in Gemini, helping break through emotional or mental patterns that have kept us stuck or prevented us from showing up authentically. Venus conjunct the South Node highlights old restraints, old insecurities, old stories of being undervalued or underappreciated—stories we are now ready to release.

The North Node in Pisces asks us to trust who we are becoming, to believe in our talents, and to honor what brings deep value and meaning. It encourages compassion for ourselves as we grow through sensitive healing moments. This is a day to look directly at what feels wounding so we can take responsibility for changing how we view ourselves.

Virgo is about fixing, refining, improving—and with Mercury retrograde ruling Virgo, these are emotional patterns we’ve been conditioned into. We are learning to release what no longer supports our wellbeing or growth. When something hinders us instead of helping us expand, it becomes time to let go, trust, heal, and move forward with compassion.

This can feel scary because the patterns we’re releasing have protected us in some way. But the South Node asks us to surrender what no longer serves, and Chiron asks us to heal what hurts. Remind yourself that you can do brave things.

What it feels like: Tender, karmic, emotionally charged. You may feel old wounds surface, but with clarity, compassion, and a sense of readiness to finally release them.

Positive expressions: Breakthroughs in self‑worth. Healing old relational patterns. Emotional clarity. Renewed confidence. Authentic self‑expression. Compassion for your growth.

Shadow expressions: Feeling triggered. Revisiting old insecurities. Sensitivity to criticism. Fear of being seen. Doubting your value.

The invitation: Let go of old patterns that keep you small. Trust your gifts. Allow healing to reshape your sense of worth. Step into your light with compassion, courage, and authenticity.

______________

Healing opportunity & Actionable Step: Releasing the Pattern That Keeps You Small

Aligned with Venus-Chiron and Venus-North Node — healing self-worth, visibility, and old relational wounds.

Positive Expression: Breakthroughs in self-worth, healing old relational patterns, emotional clarity, renewed confidence, authentic self-expression, compassion for your growth.

Shadow Expression: Feeling triggered, revisiting old insecurities, sensitivity to criticism, fear of being seen, doubting your value.

Actionable Step: Write a Release & Claim letter. Address the pattern you’re ready to release: “Dear [pattern/fear], I see you. You kept me safe by ________. But I no longer need you in the same way.” Then write one statement about what you’re claiming instead: “I am learning to take up space with courage. I am learning to trust my gifts.” Read it aloud. Let the wound speak so it can heal.

________________

Journal Prompt:

The Old Pattern That Keeps Me Small: Venus-Chiron and the Nodes bring old wounds around worth and visibility to the surface for release. What is one pattern or belief you’ve been carrying—about your worth, your voice, your right to take up space—that you’re ready to release? Where did this pattern come from? What was it trying to protect you from? And what might be possible on the other side of releasing it? Write a release statement: “I release ________. I am making space for ________.”

*This is from my weekly astrological breakdowns; I hope you find it helpful in working with the energy. Sending much love and healing!

~Amanda~

[mydarkawaits]

[alwaysbegrateful365]