A precious memory or imagined place

We can all benefit from a precious memory or special imagined place, a place we can literally or experientially go to retreat and recharge. A safe, secure, protective space where we can breathe, relax and get in touch with our felt sense of calm, peace and love.

A place, or many place, where we can ‘down regulate’ and relax. Where we can take some deep breaths and shake off the pressures of the day.

It doesn’t have to be complicated or hard to find. It may be as simple as taking off your shoes and walking bare feet on grass; breathing in the sent of perfume flowers or the salt laden breaths we take in at the beach.

It may be a memory from your childhood, your grandmothers hug or a more recent time, a friends reassuring words.

And if its hard for you to think of a place or a memory you create your own. Picture it in your minds eye, where would you most like to be; and how will it feel to be there.

I encourage to pick a time today or tomorrow and give it a try.

If your memory or special place is literally close by then take a moment to go there, close your eyes and be in that moment.

If you are going there experientially then choose a time where you have privacy and time to sit for 5-10 minutes.

Start by closing your eyes and make yourself comfortable. Feel free to move any body parts or shake out your day. Then notice your breathing. Breathing easily in and out, in and out.

Feel the soles of your feet resting on the floor beneath you, as if connected and rooted there. Feel your ankles and your calves and your thighs and bottom on the chair. As you keep focusing on your breathing feel your trunk and your upper limbs, you shoulder and your neck. Feel the inhale and exhale of your breath, your facial muscles and through to the top of your head.

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself yawning or sighing they are ways our body down regulates and comes into peace.

Now start to see yourself in your precious memory or special place. What can you hear, see, feel, smell, etc who if anyone is there with you. How does that make you feel. Lean into your felt sense of calm and / or peace, safety and / or security, whichever word is right for you.

Let the expression of the memory or place grow and expand, shift or change, lean into it and see if there are truths for you to know.

Continue exploring and growing this space until you feel it’s time to leave. Give thanks for this time and when you are ready, open up your eyes. You may wish to make some notes or create a journal entry it is up yo you.

Nb as you spend special time in your precious memories or imagined places you may not always choose the same one - different times and places can be a helpful resource for different situations.

It is important that we regularly take the time to step out of our everyday life and inhabit our special place. A great practice is to give this gift to yourself 5-10 -20 minutes a each day. You may literally go for a drive or take off your shoes and smell your roses, or you may create a safe space to close your eyes and go there - mind, body, soul, spirit.

The more we cultivate ‘down regulated’ time in our special memory or place, the more we can lean into it when we are pushed, stretched or excessively. stressed. Our precious memory or special place can be our oasis in the desert, that keeps us safe from overload, and overwhelm.

It is important to embrace and embody every aspect of these times. What can we hear, see, do? Are we alone or is there a connection with someone else. Is our spirit alive in this moment and our soul engaged? Where and what do we feel in our body, and what if anything, do we need to know or learn.

You may also find you are able to have a ‘felt sense’ of safety, security or peace within a section of your body without an image or story attached. This another great resource to explore and grow

You can cultivate your special memory or place by yourself or with support. In 1:1 Embodied Processing Sessions, I work with you to connect you with your resource - a precious memory, a special place or a ‘felt sense’ in your body and we take time so it is anchored and accessible for you throughout the session and beyond. Having an active resource available to return to at any time time during or after the session is key. It affords you total control of the session and maintains it as a safe space from which to explore ‘felt senses, ‘trapped emotions’, or ‘younger parts’ that are ready to be embraced and or released.

If you are interested in learning more you can private message me or reply on this blog. We can also arrange group resourcing sessions in the near future if there is an interest to do so.

Until next time

Liz