Do you follow illustrator Julie Houts on Instagram? She made this amazing series to help everyone quell their anxiety for a moment. Take a deep breath and play along…
How great is that? I really do feel more relaxed. Sending you all the biggest hug during these difficult times. Hope you’re hanging in there. xoxoxo
P.S. The Grand Canyon trick that changed my life, and a tongue twister just for fun.
I love this! Reminds me of the kids book, Press Here (which my 3 year-old LOVES) but for adults.
I’ve come back to this every day since you’ve posted. Thank you for helping me cope. We’re in this together. All my love from Sydney, Australia. ❤️
That was so good. Thank you for posting it.
Oh yay – I’ve followed her for years and I am so happy she is using her powers for good because she can be very dark lol. I love her illustrations.
its amazing
This was very comforting! Just what I needed from COJ tonight.
I wish the media & gvmt. would share more ways to help. I know of a few things in my area (pantry packs for kids meals, restaurants donating) but I think people really want to contribute. Maybe cupofjo can start sharing ideas? Being able to help others helps me feel less helpless :)
I got laid off from my job as a graphic designer for a nature travel company on Friday. Today is day 1 of both unemployment and quarantine. I feel a bit low and it is THE MOST TERRIBLE TIMING (though I know it is directly correlated to the virus… tourism industry is taking a HIT!)
This helped. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe and indoors COJ community!
Devin – I’m so sorry to hear. That’s really hard and stressful. This is a scary time, and I’m sending you all my most positive thoughts. Stay strong.
I love Julie Houts! She is immensely talented. I have her first book and one of her prints. Thank you for sharing!
Currently staring out at grey skies from my bed while sick and scared in the Bay Area, and that gorgeous wash of summertime blue in the last image feels like oxygen to my soul. Hoping everyone is feeling safe and strong, or at least finding sustaining crumbs of safety and strength amidst all the difficulties.
Even the weather here feels apocalyptic at the moment, doesn’t it???
And yet, if it were sunny, I’m not sure that would be better. Tough days here in the Bay.
Fyi, an expat I follow in Hong Kong says that it is abating there and things are returning to normal and that the US can expect the same and to hang in there – flu season will be over soon! That really helped me, hearing that, hope it helps you too!
Thank you I needed this! On top of everything going on in the news, my 2 year old is doing appointments with children national hospital to figure out some things and this morning I got news that his blood results were off And needed more investigation. He was seeing a Neuromuscular doctor and Cardiologist, now he has an appointment with a Metabolic and Genetic doctor at the end of March. I feel scared for what might be wrong, and also worried his appointment will be canceled or we will get sick going into the hospital. And then worried that if he needs to go again will there be a shortage in something he needs. Or not able to have his blood draw. Also what if they don’t let us travel from state to state At some point, and we can’t go from Maryland to our appointments in Washington DC. Ugh it’s a challenging time for everyone but I feel like I am drowning in worry for my son and all that is going g on in the world, so deep calming breaths are very much needed.
This is just awful. I am thinking of you and your son. I don’t know how to stop all the worry but i hope we can take a bit of it on for you.
Mary, sending you my love
I’m so sorry Mary. Please continue taking deep breaths and try to focus on each moment. Focus on the breath to bring yourself back from your worry as often as you need. Try to focus on what you CAN control and let go of what you can’t. Try to remain steady and calm for your child but remember that he is also allowed to see you as human, with emotions. Focus on the color of your child’s eyes in the daylight. And the way he smiles at you at the end of the night when you put him to bed. Tell him I love you as often as you can, but focus on the syllables themselves and what it may sound like to his ears. Focus on your senses and have him focus on his too. Have him carry a smooth rock or fuzzy bear or anything that he loves and ask him to rub the item whenever he feels scared or nervous. Most of all, hang in there, and take care of yourself too. I’m a therapist and mindfulness teacher and really really hope some of these tips help. Sending Love and hoping your son is okay, XO, Shirley
Thank you all for your kind words and advice, really helpful and needed! I followed your tips Shirley, and felt myself focusing on my child and the now, rather than everything going on, and what ifs about tmrw, which I realized was making me miss the lovely, wonderful moments of growth that he was having everyday in my stress. I also love the idea of him stroking something with a comforting texture when scared, all the masks really scare him and blood draws with people in masks can be intense so anything that helps… I am sad as his physical therapy practice is most likely closing soon, and he gets so much from that. I worry for the much more vulnerable children that go there that could regress if not in care long term, and the parents that are trying to cope working from home, as well as being home school teachers and now potentially therapists for there children while working full time. I cringe when I see people ignoring the guidelines and being out and about in groups, they are really hurting so many people in so many ways. But I am thankful for the many acts of kindness and love that are happening around the world, people coming together and helping each other, and the tiny everyday quite things that if not ignored can be so powerful. Take care everyone!
Meera,
Virtual hug. You’ve got this. We’re rooting for you.
In my darkest hours, I held on to simple, but oh-so true words: This too shall pass.
You will overcome this, and be stronger for it.
Huh, I think i’m too jaded by agency life. This just read like a terrible client brief to me…makes me want to rage just a tiny bit. LOL.
She is fantastic!
A hug from me too! Sending you love from London xxx
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