I am a sensitive one. Some say, I am fragile. Others, call me the princess and the pea.
It’s weird. I haven’t always been this way.
Growing up, I was consistently breaking things, clumsily stumbling around with my long giraffe legs, and unintentionally, I assure you, physically hurting everyone near.
Me? I was always fine. Like a steady cinderblock.
I have this memory of jumping waves at the beach with my mom. You all know I love to jump…
But this particular jump got me over the waves right up into my mom’s chin…knocking her to unhappy. That was the end of that well intentioned joyful jumping moment. I didn’t feel a thing, but poor mom sho did.
My dad used to joke around that anyone would know where I had been because my finger prints left an actual indention into door knobs, handles, and utensils. For some reason, that made me proud as a child. My family couldn’t have nice things… because of me. So proud.
Flippant, young, and dumb. This girl, never took a vitamin (those nasty Flinstones were left to sog away in a toilet somewhere). I avoided sun block at all costs, because what 8 year old has TIME for that!? And let me tell ya, no one pulled a better Mexican stand off when it came to me and eating…I could sit at the dinner table NOT eating my vegetables for hours…I was the worst, ever.
I’m not sure when the full transition occurred, but, I know that these days, an innocent fleck of dust fluttering onto my shoulder hurts me. I’ll hazard the guess that it all began when I became pregnant. Remember the, “is it a kick or is it a contraction” conundrum? You just become more self aware.
Today, I freak out when I forget to take my vitamin supplements. I count my vegetable servings. I have sunblock stashed in all purses and cars. I have journals for my feelings and apps for physical ailments. It’s fun getting old.
I’m not going to say I am less clumsy… maybe a little less… but I am extremely more careful in avoiding pain and I am ridiculously obsessive over self healing.
So…I thought I would gather my “fountain of youth” self healing tips. Seems like I am always traveling to or traveling back from one of these healing places. It’s the only travel I’ve had lately- and it makes me happy -that is all that matters. These are my steady and true favorite obsessions.
Acupuncture
About a year ago, I drove my Jeep into a light pole. Told ya, I am not less clumsy. I literally pressed the gas and drove right into a Harris Teeter parking lot light pole. In a complete brain fog, my only excuse was, I didn’t see the (bright yellow) pole.
The light pole is still there, misshapen and leaning left. It is a nice monument to pass by every day reminding me to stay humble. The day of the accident, I departed from the scene with bad whiplash and feeling like I had the IQ of an ant. Luckily, my parents reminded me of their magic man.
And. He is definitely a magician.
Acupuncture has changed my life and it is the one thing I could never give up. My acupuncturist healed my sore neck from driving into the pole with some needles, gua sha, and cupping. Within 24 hours, I was a brand new person. Since then, I have been going consistently every 3-4 weeks. Last week, I told him I was in this weird anxiety funk. I felt rushed and busy from everything opening up in this world (which is hard on an introvert). More gatherings, more people, sport schedules for three kids, not to mention, my oldest is starting his college journey.
Magic Man, stuck a series of 30-40 needles that put me into a fit of laughter. The energy that had been suppressed, was released soon as the needles were placed, and it flowed right through my laugh. I came out whistling and sleeping like a baby.
Healing Crystals
Ok. I know this one is weird but I’ve got a bestie who is ALL into the healing crystals with me. MAYBE…this self healing tip is a huge thing for me partly due to the fact that I get to spend time with my bestie who encourages positive vibes in our thoughts and actions… but either way, we witches, together, we are brewing our oils and cleaning our crystals… it’s working for us.
Cathy and I have been really practicing mindfulness all year. We both randomly and individually took a chakras test that got us interested in balancing our chakras through crystals, oils, and meditation. We debated if we were just hippies or sorceresses. We took a trip to Raleigh and stopped at a place called… Dancing Moon Books and Gifts…look at our collection.
Maybe it’s crazy, but here are my reasons for why I like it.
One… I believe that a token, like a crystal bracelet, is a good reminder to check my brain and heart. Maybe a little placebo effect in there.
Two… Some people give you bad energy or take your good energy away. Some people are attracted to bad energy. You know, misery loves company. You can just feel it. My mission is to maintain my attraction to all goodness, love, and laughter… and keep it… whereever it comes from.
Yoga
Before Covid, I was regularly attending a hot yoga studio in Raleigh. I decided to go far far away where I didn’t know anyone (because that’s what introverts do). On top of that, dealing with SADs ain’t no joke. In the winter, when the sun don’t everrr come out, people like me, seek any heat source possible. 110 degrees is my kind of weather.
I’ve finally returned now that the pandemic is easing up. I’m back to the place where NOBODY knows my name (kinda) and it never felt so good. For the first time in my yoga practice, I am finally listening to my breath and quieting my mind. Those stretches feel so good to my knees… the knees that will need surgery one day. Probably because I jumped too much in my life time. And when those knees were young, those knobby knees… bumped into everything. They need a lot of hot yoga love.
Hot yoga completely detoxes me and resets my body and mind. I love it. I love a sweat. I love the heat. I love the core work out. I love the loud music. I’d love for you to try it…Just don’t come to MY studio.
IV Therapy
About 8- 9 years ago I was trying to understand why I felt so lethargic and anxious. I researched a lot and asked a lot of questions. My primary doctor gave me a “prescription for coffee”! Coming from a good place, she jokingly told me, “Girrrl, you’re a busy woman, drink more coffee or I can give you some anti anxiety meds!” I laughed, but it didn’t seem right. There was something else!! Long story short, I discovered I had silly SADs, and I found a place that heals using a hybrid of natural and traditional ways.
This IV is hit or miss for people. I think it’s miss if you don’t really need it. Me… I need it. My blood panel revealed that my levels were really low and getting this extra boost gives me the energy I need… specially during the cold winter months.
Next month, Cathy and I are traveling to NYC to partake in a chakra crystal healing spa. The spa offers everything from acupuncture to salt rooms. I’ve looked into maybe adding a yoga class in there as well and combining all of my healing obsessions into one weekend. I should come out brand new, right?! We are so excited to get the good vibes going and share this experience with you soon!
Happy Healing!
Travel Ninja 