Just after the pandemic shut down, I decided to join a wellness class for women. It was a guided conversation format and facilitated by a mental health counselor and athlete. I had come out of the pandemic feeling a bit less ‘me’ and I wasn’t quite sure what ‘me’ was. For eight weeks we met as a group by zoom, and each week there were daily recordings that I listened to on walks that were meant to be grounding and help build whatever our ‘me’ was intended to be.
It was a nice activity and was helpful at the time, and while I cannot say that all of the tips and affirmations stuck, one definitely did. The mantra of “I get to”. Rather than stating “I have to…” ….go to the gym, …see my in-laws, …grade papers, etc. we should be starting each sentence with “I get to”… go to the gym, …see my in-laws, …grade papers. It’s no more syllabus, no more time to say it, but it is a completely different shift in you mental energy and your perspective. I love it.
This week has been a tough one for me mentally, there has been a great deal of sadness in my personal life and in the world around us, but with that I have leaned into the “I get to” mantra. Of particular note were the opportunities to apply it to solitary behaviors that were necessary in order for me to find meaning and regain balance.
Try it with intention, and let me know how it goes.
