Last week, we offered a brief overview of what it looks and feels like for your solar plexus or third chakra to be: 1) in balance, 2) in excess, or 3) deficient. If you missed last week’s blog post, check it out here. We also touched on how women tend to feel a great deal of shame when going through infertility. If that’s you, this next part is just for you.
We need to break the shame cycle. Shame storms are the worst and they look different for each of us. Here are a few examples:
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You hide your infertility diagnosis from your friends, family members, and peers.
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You think your body is defective because you’re unable to get pregnant.
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You feel guilty for not being able to give your parents grandchildren.
Sound familiar? We thought so. It’s ok. We’ve been there too.
If you’re feeling this way, we recommend that you:
Use mindfulness to quickly identify and hit pause on the shame monsters throwing negativity your way. We’re serious. There’s enough negativity in the world, you don’t need to keep piling it on yourself. Instead, take a moment to appreciate your body for what it allows you to do daily.
Challenge yourself by giving something new a try. What have you always wanted to do but haven’t out of fear? Maybe you want to do kickboxing or you want to hike the highest mountain peak in your state. Whatever it might be, grab a friend (you could also go solo) and complete the challenge. You’ll be happy you did! Then, keep it going by challenging yourself once a quarter.
Repeat a mantra that fits your situation. Mantras are a great tool to use when we need a reminder of what it is we’re seeking or need to influence our emotional wellbeing. Consider “I honor the power within me,” or “I am powerful.” Feel free to write your own. You can repeat it out loud or quietly to yourself while you’re getting ready in the morning, meditating, or anytime you feel the need.
Standing in your power isn’t something that happens over night. But it is possible to slowly make your way there with small tweaks done regularly. We hope you’ll weave these suggestions into your daily life so that you may feel more in control.
