Don’t tell summer with all its upbeat vibes and fizzy fun, but fall is my favorite. I love cozy without freezing. I love the variable temps across days that are still longer and layering up with sweats and sweaters. Helloagain my fuzzy friends, I missed you : ) !
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The one thing I do not love that September brings? The traffic, noise, & frustration that accompanies the world as it converges all around me during the UN General Assembly.
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I live & work in a tiny neighborhood in New York City known as Tudor City. It’s the equivalent of maybe about four square blocks, teeny tiny! So tiny in fact, that even a lot of native New Yorkers have never heard of our nearly 100-year-old historic enclave, nor have they been here. It’s nestled between Grand Central Terminal and the United Nations building, and most of the year–though not a glamorous location–it’s quiet and neighborhood-y, right here in the middle of the city. When we first moved here over 10 years ago, I cringed at the un-hip-ness. But the convenient location along with the charm of the landmarked old buildings and beautiful parks has won me over.
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EXCEPT in late September, when the seemingly endless sirens, honking, helicopters, and on and on that accompany the UNGA make me truly want to run away from home. I get crazy-eyes, I have to admit. Every year I say we are going to plan a getaway, and most years – for a variety of reasons – it doesn’t work out, and so we’re often here in town with the madness.
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It is madness, and wow does it test my patience and mood. Also, I feel frustrated & stuck. I know that this is the direct result of my choices (mainly to not either be able to or to not have the get-up-and-go to make it work to leave town). But I do not like feeling trapped; I do not care for feeling option-less. I get grump-y. Know what I mean?
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I’m breaking out all my most empowering, grounding, and focusing tools to help me navigate this situation I can’t control. Thought you might want or need them too:
- Grounding myself: I’ve doubled down on breathing techniques & grounding postures that help me feel normal. I start the day with 3 deep breaths and five things I’m grateful for. It helps so much to begin my morning with this positive lens. As the day and noise pollution churn on, I plant my feet on the ground, gently press my palms into my thighs, close my eyes, and take 5 deep expansive breaths, letting my ribs bellow open and drop my shoulders down with each exhale. I never feel worse after doing so.
- Visualize the end: Because all periods of intensity eventually do end. In this case, though not true for all such periods, I know that the vibes will shift here in a matter of days, and calm will be restored. I’m visualizing my smiling centered self, walking through the quiet neighborhood, once again enjoying my neighborhood. Feels great.
- Little actions add up to big impact:
– I’m going to bed early. When those helicopters start early I want to be rested and ready!
– Fitness – the last year I had been way more sporadic with my workouts. I’m renewing my commitment to health and while I certainly have gains to make, I’m happy I’m moving, feeling strong makes me feel so bold and confident.
– Played with my neighbor’s dog. She’s the cutest.
– Organized a closet, wow amazing how being able to see stuff better lightened my mood.
– Made plans with friends out of the neighborhood. Always feels great to connect 🙂
To be honest, I still feel stuck, but I don’t feel powerless. Though there’s little I can do to shift this external forces moment, I also feel empowered to soothe and care for myself and take little actions that can elevate me in moments. And moments of elevation stack up.
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Like I always say: Self-care is not meaningless, nor is it selfish. Ha ha, I would be a lot meaner and less effective if I weren’t taking care of myself right now! I could definitely make the case that to NOT invest in myself right now is cruel to those around me : ) .
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And anyway, by the time you read this, peak UNGA intensity will be over–so know that I’m already smiling.
Sweater Weatha’, I love ya.
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