Finding “obstinate” healing and joy

We’ve been having a great discussion with one of our client groups about organizational, national and global turmoil, and what to do when we are sick and tired… and sick and tired of being sick and tired.

The idea of being obstinate in the face of overwhelming challenges and a bleak outlook came up.

And so we brainstormed ideas for “obstinate” healing and joy.

This is not about toxic positivity, spiritual bypassing, or stuffing your feelings.

It’s about the radical act of insisting on making space for healing and joy, despite pervasive systems of oppression that might get in the way.

We got so many great ideas, from naps, to walks, to artwork, music and dancing, reading, journaling, hugs, meditation, primal screams and even a very specific suggestion - watching lawn mowing videos!

Here are my personal favorites of late:

1. Sunrises and sunsets by the water

This is my absolute favorite, especially sunrises when it’s all quiet and hardly anyone is up yet.

*From left to right: Manhattan, Seattle and Madison, Wisconsin*

2. Learning and playing with watercolors

I’ve never really used watercolors before and I’m finding it very soothing.

3. The beautiful fall leaves here in Brooklyn

I’m not sure if it’s just that I’ve forgotten the past few falls but this fall seems to be particularly spectacular and longer than usual. I particularly enjoy taking and sharing photos with the team in our “joy” slack channel.

4. Coherent breathing has been a surprisingly significant game changer for me

I’ve been using an app called Visible - this probably deserves a blog post all on its own but this is kind of a “reverse fitbit” particularly for those with chronic illnesses that need encouragement to rest rather than to be active. It makes what are often invisible aspects of chronic illnesses more visible through heart rate tracking.

I absolutely love this concept and how it’s helping me pace myself and slow down and its been fascinating to see how activities that “look” the same (eg a two hour zoom meeting) can take up a varying number of “pace points.”

The app also includes a coherent breathing (long deep breaths) feature that has been surprisingly effective for me. I feel like it helps my nervous system recover more quickly from being activated.

5. Chocolate. Always chocolate.

With the latest wave of pushback against DEI, I think it’s important to know that at CCI, we consider healing and joy to be a CRITICAL part of the work… and if you’re against healing and joy, well, that is certainly a choice that you can make.

Chocolate photos by Unsplash. All others by Alethea Cheng Fitzpatrick.

Banner photo by Alethea Cheng Fitzpatrick