A is for Action steps
Little and one at a time.
Part 6 follows on from
H for Health First
E for Eating Anti-inflammatory Foods
A for Altruistic Behaviours
D is for Daily Practices.
A is for Action steps - the other year I recorded a mini-podcast, tune in and listen here.
Creating the healing acronym headache has enabled me to bring together all the layers as I’ve come to recognise them on my own healing journey. Each layer has made a significant contribution as to why my health improved year on year. This still being the case despite multiple relapses, dark periods and massive catastrophes such as the pandemic happening, also bringing an end to my income for a second time in as many years with it.
This month, we’re looking at the second A which is for Action steps, with a reminder that they are to be taken little and one at a time.
When I look back on the action I’ve taken over the years, I placed my attention (as best I could) towards what I could do, over what I couldn’t.
As my physical health began to rapidly deteriorate soon after my mental health had hit the deck, I was still able to give off the impression I was functioning. Alongside which, I had this deep inner knowing that “something big is coming” and even though I had no idea what (I know, right?), I knew it was going to affect my finances. (I really hope my learning the hard way makes what is the obvious more obvious to you than it was me).
From this slightly aware but not yet fully conscious place, I took action:
I reviewed my finances and reduced my outgoings repeatedly.
I advertised for a Monday to Friday lodger.
I moved food shops from Tesco to Aldi (which back then saved me 50%).
I stopped buying non-essentials.
I scrimped and scraped so I could save whatever I had left.
I’ve had it said to me a few times “at least you had the money”. Which is true. There is a great deal of privilege involved to be in a situation where you can make financial cut-backs and increase your income by bringing a lodger into the home. I deeply honour and recognise this level of privilege in my life more now than I’ve been able to in the past (it didn’t necessarily feel like a privileged situation to be in at the time, it felt like my whole life was falling apart at the seams and I had no one to hold me).
From this place of privilege, I acted.
From this place of connection, I acted.
From this place of deep inner knowing, I acted.
I eventually learnt to drown out the noise around me.
I tuned into my own inner knowing.
I turned towards what I could do, instead of what I couldn’t.
I was anxious and fearful and frightened, and I faced the difficulty of making changes often alone - many of which close ones around me didn’t agree with (creating change is something we’ll come on to in the next headaChe post).
I prioritised my health above everything.
I acted through ordering books. Books on migraine, hormonal health, healing, self-help and memoirs.
I signed up for the Migraine World Summit annual event.
I explored my options:
NHS (National Healthcare Service)
PIPs (disability payments)
Reviewed my situation
Researched
I reached out. I asked for help and support. Counselling (outside of the healthcare system) came with a yes. Healthcare came with a no. (Having to learn to do this for the first time, initially to help me survive and with practice and some no’s, as a tool to help me thrive.)
I later went on to put my home up for sale, knowing I would not be able to get another mortgage (an almighty material privilege - and deeply traumatic experience combined).
I sold up and moved into a rented room to give me some breathing space whilst I figured out my next steps - good job I did, I went spiralling into a massive relapse just as I was moving. Later (following a second relapse) moving on to buy a static caravan to live in for a few years.
There’s no way I would be where I am now without the level of mental, material and spiritual privilege alongside acting on my frightful situation.
Keeping a roof over my head and food on the table was 2nd only to prioritising my health. Neither were more important than the other. Both were essential ingredients to improving my health.
Taking action and doing something about the hideous situation I’ve found myself in – no matter how tough it got – has been an incremental part as to why I am where I am now.
Adopting the guiding principle of doing what I can when I can – which often hasn’t felt like much at all – has been a big part of the reason I am still here and why I’m doing so well.
As an example of how small action steps can be, there have been times when I have gone to write something, a piece of work or a post say, and I have only been able to write a few words – like a title – and that has been it. It’s an opportunity to remind myself that this is enough then come back to it later.
Certainly not an easy practice but is one I have found to be the most effective way. Bringing with it, a great deal of ease much further on.
Show up and share
When you think about taking action, what are your priorities?
What is it that really matters to you in this moment?
What is truly essential and most important to you this week, this month, this year?
Create action steps around what matters.
And just in case you need reminding – YOU matter. Your health matters.
This post is June’s instalment of the 12 Chapters club with
and Sparklers. WOO HOO I’ve made it to half way!! Though I’ve been guided to take a step back from the book I am intending to be an international best-seller. So it still feels like there’s a hill to climb atm. In the space of taking a step back, downloads for a follow-on book have come through. The book I am on with publishing will have it all mapped out for you, it will feel like I’m keeping you company along the path. The second will share with you the codes and keys to the secrets of the world. A gift I received a few years ago but is only just starting to become clear exactly what these codes and keys are on a conscious level.