Pockets of Delight: Radical Self-Honesty in What You Actually Enjoy

Do you know the feeling, when you look at things that are portrayed as fun, or giving some sort of "vibe", but you don't really "feel it"...

In my case I'm thinking of imagery that portrays, people having fun at a beach, or drinking a cool looking drink at a bar, or putting on a facemask for a "home spa day", or being at a festival - I'm thinking of imagery from social media, magazines, movies and what else we consume on a daily basis.

Sometimes they give me a feeling of guilt or shame, for not "having fun" - when the imagery is telling me it's "SUMMERTIME - Go be fun and have fun and all that..."

Well - if you know me a little bit, I am AAAALL for fun! But sometimes the imagery of fun and my own perceived and felt fun isn't the same. 

And my conscious mind doesn't always pick up on that. 

Adding the current world vibe to the mix

And if I - on top of not being aware of my feelings and thought - watch news, read posts on the terrible things (in my worldview) that are happening to people, to the climate, to nature and everything - PHEW! Guilt and shame for not having fun PLUS guilt and shame and sorrow for wanting to have fun. 

...right. Let's deal with it, so we actually get to enjoy our lives, shall we. 

A bit of radical self honesty...

Let's add a little radical self honesty into the mix - because it's the theme we've started in the Feel Good Rebel Universe (and by the way, join the free community Worthy & Rising, to hang out, and join our cosy live sessions with chats, workshops and meditations).

And by radical self honesty, I mean look under the surface level thoughts, beliefs and feelings. 

We might be attracted to a "fun day at the beach".... even though I'm not really a beach person. So here's a question to ask yourself (if you were me): "What feeling does the imagery of the beach invoke in me, if I feel attracted to it?"

I'll just answer freely, as I write this (hehe, like a mini session for myself here)...

I feel:

- connection
- freedom
- fun
- laid back-ness/worry-free
- a break from it all

...OH - see. That last one is interesting. "...a break from it all." 

Let's play with that - because that's information you can use, to go even further, and GIVE yourself more of that feeling. "A break".

To get you started on a similar quest, you can ask yourself where you feel you wanting. Or look at imagery, and see what feelings of desire come up, and ask yourself what those feelings really are. 

When we don't take the time to dig a little bit, we never really truly find out what's underneath - and lot's of gifts can be found within....

Pockets of Delight - 5 things

Right - so hopefully you have found an area you'd like to explore a bit.

Let's take mine, as the example. The "break from it all". 

What can I do with that? I want to FEEL the relief. There's so much stuff going on, either in my head, in my daily life, or the things I consume, and I feel like I'm always behind, because there are SOOOO many things I WANT to be doing as well - on top of everything. Not enough lifetimes to do the things I want. 

SO - to give me a break from that rather stressful feeling - where can I find pockets of relief (<- that's my particular feeling - yours could be something different, like joy, calm, courage, etc)? 

I ask myself - "Where do I feel relief in my life these days? When do I feel relief already?"

And start listing them up. Find 5 - if you have more - even better. 

Example: 

1. When I catch myself feeling tense, and I take a minute to close my eyes, take a couple of deep breaths and let go of the tension. Aaaah, I feel it already. 

2. When I'm on my walk, and I get to listen to a fun audiobook, or podcast, or just listen to whatever's outside - even my thoughts (they are nicer now, than they have ever been, so it's okay)

3. When I choose to find a guided meditation, and spend 5-20 minutes just leaning in. Aaah....

4. When I have a conversation with my friend, husband or sister, and connect or reconnect on a deeper level. 

5. When I choose to spend the rest of the day being creative, knitting, crocheting, drawing, making paper, doing beadwork, sewing, whatever. Just being in my own creative flow. 

--

As I warm up, I feel more ideas coming, but for clarity's sake here, let's stick to the 5. Spend some time finding those pockets of delight, and write them down. 

Those things are the recipe for your enjoyment. For your feel good-ness. 

I do not need to buy a vacation, buy products, drink alcohol or be somewhere specific to invoke these feelings in me, which the image of a beach falsely tried to sell me, and the "world's vibe" tried to keep me from. 

I can do these 5 things almost instantly - some of the instantly, and feel the break from it all. 

A bunch of those, throughout the day, will give you more of what feels good. 

A visible list of those things, will remind you of your power to feel good - even if your surroundings suck.

Now it's your turn to write write your own spells

Now you find 5 things that brings desirable emotions or thoughts in you, and write them down. 

It'll be your own spell of Pockets of Delight - Pleasurable Breadcrumbs. Or whatever you want to call them.

It's really useful, when everthing seems a little overwhelming, and the emotions are a bit out of wack. 

--

Actually it's inspired by my husband, from when he was most depressive, he had written a list of tiny things he could manage to do without much effort, and it would bring a little light into his existence. And we use this in our own lives every once in a while. 

One thing I remember on his list, was "make a cup of tea". That could be a thing that brings joy, calm, relief, connection and more...

Now GO - write yours. Hang it on the fridge or wherever you'll see it regularly, or somewhere where it's easy to find. 

Without delight...

We disappear into the noise. If we don't consciously CHOOSE to enjoy ourselves, we can't expect to enjoy ourselves. These little pockets, will help you get used to choosing you. And choosing your well-being in the little things. 

If you're not familiar - this is the perfect place to start your Feel Good Rebel Journey, where you'll just get better and better at choosing yourself, loving yourself, and allowing yourself to truly enjoy your life. 

The more you’re honest about what you love… the more alive you become.

If you like the vibe... Join the community

Inside Worthy & Rising this lunation, we’re exploring Radical Self-Honesty - it includes the fun stuff too.
You’re invited to join us in making life a little more honest, a little more magical, and a whole lot more you.

With that said - I wish you the most delightful week, and hope to see you inside the community. 

<3 Parnuuna