How is your self-care going? How are you doing with implementing practices to take care of yourself? 

As the Creatrix of Her Fierce Life, I’m embarrassed that it’s taken a global pandemic and shelter in place order for me to return to a consistent self-care practice. Eventually I’ll share more about where I’ve been and what I’ve been up to.  

I went back to the lessons that I learned from you when I launched the surveys and held interviews nearly two years ago. Her Fierce Life is a rich and vibrant community that can bring so much to the world. 

If you’re looking for accountability to gather virtually with the Her Fierce Life community to practice self-care, please let me know by clicking here. 

I don’t intend to teach or launch any paid courses at this time. What was evident in the surveys is that you already know what to do. 

If you’re interested in doing the free Self-Care Challenge again, let me know by clicking here and I’ll let you know when it’s available. 

What resources are you using to support you at this time? What’s working well for you? What could you be doing better? Hit reply and let me know. I’d love to hear from you.  

Take care and I’m sending you my very best wishes for you and your family’s safety and health at this time.  

Much love,

Margaret

Here are some tools and teachers that I’ve found to be effective:

1. Meditation: I’ve been on Emily Fletcher’s mailing list for a few years. She’s the founder and teacher of Ziva Meditation. I learned Transcendental Meditation 5 years ago, so I did not purchase her course, but I tried the first 3 days of her course for free and have attended a couple of her free Saturday group meditations on Facebook live at 12:30 EST (NY time). Currently she’s offering her course for free to healthcare professionals that are working on the front lines of treating COVID-19, and for 50% off for everyone else, until 31Mar2020.
2. Calm App: I sometimes use the free version of this app to help me fall asleep. They recently posted a blog post listing several resources available on their app and online.
3. Pillow Spray: My colleagues in the UK rave about Thisworks Deep Sleep Pillow Spray. In my search for hand sanitizer at my grocery store (all sold out), I bought this lavender EO deodorant spray thinking it could substitute since it has ethyl alcohol in it. However, the EO website confirmed it does not substitute for hand sanitizer, so I use it as a pillow spray, work space spray, etc. I also bought the citrus version, which has become a bathroom spray (a sort of poo-pouri if you will). 
   *Note: the Amazon links are affiliate links and if you purchase through the links, I may make a small commission, which supports the tech fees of running Her Fierce Life.

4. Online fitness programs:
   • Yoga Glo: I originally joined this a couple of years ago to do yoga when I travelled and it was an excellent way to take classes from some of my all-time favorite teachers: Annie Carpenter, Seane Corn, Marla Apt, Kathryn Budig, and Amy Ippoliti.  
   • The Mirror: my partner gifted this to me for my birthday. I enjoy the classes, from challenging workouts to stretching to restorative yoga. It’s pricey and there are cheaper ways to exercise out there. But a large reason why I use it is because he bought it for me and there’s a $39/month subscription fee. 
   • Tracy Anderson Method: I subscribe to the online studio but I’ve seen free YouTube videos of her method if you search for them.

5. Fierce Grace Collective: I signed up for this course in January and although the annual program is closed, Carrie-Anne Moss is offering Peaceful Tools for Panicked Times for free. 

Full disclosures: I work full time on a clinical trial for an investigational drug for patients with metastatic cancer. A few days a week, I take care of my elderly parents who have serious health complications. I may not always be consistent in sending emails or posting online. I’m taking things one day at a time with the intention of creating a self-care practice and sticking with it.