Sometimes it isn't the situation itself,
But how we feel inside it.
Emotions can rise quickly.
And when they do,
It can feel uncomfortable.
So we try to push them away.
Distract ourselves,
Or carry on.
But what if,
Instead of pushing feelings away,
We gently allow them to be there?
Not to analyze,
Not to fix.
Just to notice.
Because often,
When a feeling is acknowledged,
It begins to soften.
It doesn't need to stay as intense or as loud.
This practice is a space to sit with yourself gently,
Safely,
To notice what's there.
And allow your body to settle.
You don't need to do anything perfectly.
Just listen and allow.
So now,
Allowing yourself to settle,
We'll move into the relaxation.
Just make yourself comfortable now.
Allow your hands to rest gently,
Your feet slightly apart.
And when you're ready,
Take a slow,
Easy breath in and gently release it.
And again,
Breathing in.
And out.
Giving yourself this time just for you.
And as you begin to settle,
You might notice your body already starting to soften.
Your shoulders easing,
Your jaw loosening.
And with each breath,
You may find yourself relaxing just a little more.
Allow your eyes to gently close.
And imagine a gentle staircase in front of you.
And with each step down,
You can drift a little deeper into relaxation,
Into comfort,
Into calm.
Step by step,
Easily,
Naturally.
And now bring in your awareness down all the way to your feet.
Noticing your toes.
And in your imagination you can begin to soften the muscles there,
Letting them loosen like soft bands unwinding.
That gentle feeling moving through your feet,
Into your ankles,
Your calves.
Your calf muscles becoming heavier,
Softer.
Relaxing more with each breath.
Up into your knees and into your thighs,
The long muscles of your legs softening,
Letting go.
And as your legs relax,
You may notice a deeper sense of calm.
That wave of relaxation moving into your hips,
Your pelvis,
Into your stomach.
Allowing your breath to deepen here.
Gentle,
Steady.
And with each exhale a soft releasing.
And now into your chest,
Your ribs,
The muscles here,
Loosening.
You're breathing slow and easy.
And now into your shoulders,
Letting them drop even more.
As though you're settling something down,
Something you've been carrying.
And just for now,
You don't need to hold it.
That sense of ease flowing down your arms.
Upper arms,
Elbows,
Forearms,
Into your hands,
Each finger soft,
Loose.
And now,
Bringing your awareness to your neck.
The muscles here gently releasing.
Your jaw softens.
Your teeth slightly apart.
The muscles around your mouth easing.
Your cheeks,
Your eyes,
So soft,
So relaxed,
Even your forehead smoothing.
And now a gentle awareness across your whole body,
From the top of your head to the tips of your toes.
A feeling of softness,
Of ease,
As though you're wrapped in a calm,
Comforting blanket.
Your body relaxed.
Your mind beginning to dress.
And you can allow your thoughts to come and go.
Nothing to hold on to.
And now gently bringing your awareness to how you feel.
Whatever is there right now.
You can simply notice it without needing to change it.
It might be a feeling,
A sensation,
Or just a sense.
And you can say quietly to yourself.
This is how I feel right now.
And as you acknowledge it,
Something begins to shift.
There is space.
You are not the feeling.
You are the one noticing it.
And as you allow it,
It may begin to soften.
Even just a little.
You don't need to push it away.
You don't need to hold on to it.
Just allowing.
Just noticing.
And as you breathe,
You might imagine that feeling gently loosening.
Like mist lifting,
Softening.
Your body settling.
Your mind becoming quieter.
You are learning.
That it is safe to feel.
Safe to notice.
And as you allow yourself to be with what is here,
You create calm.
Not by force,
But by understanding.
And for a few moments now,
Just resting in this space.
This calm,
This ease.
And when you're ready.
Gently becoming aware of your body,
Bringing back a sense of calm.
Gently returning energy to your muscles.
Feeling grounded,
Present,
And gently opening your eyes when you're ready.
Feeling calm,
Clear,
And gently at ease.
And knowing you can return to this space whenever you need to.
