“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation,
and that is an act of political warfare"
Audre Lorde
Emotional Intelligence
We know very little about this topic. Unless you’ve got a degree and days on end to study and read the philosophical and psychological theories and articles about it.
Emotional Intelligence or EI is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, and those of the people around you. People with a high degree of emotional intelligence know what they're feeling, what their emotions mean, and how these emotions can affect other people.
Again, we’ve had very little education, practice or support around self awareness.
Please, allow me to offer you access to tools that help you express your emotions, practice self regulation, cope in the moment and embrace yourselves as well as your emotions.
Wanna give it a try?
Let's start with an Emotional Weather Report
Lately, my Weather Report is mostly sunny with possibilities of new beginnings while the threat of storms from frustrations of limited connection hover off my shoulder. The wind brings me back to life as I walk each day while tree hugging is my new contact sport!
I would love to hear your Weather Report and any other thoughts you have to share, especially If you need a support circle, please reach out as you know, we are on your team!
Next, let's practice healthy ways to express your “Weather” - Dance!
SUNSHINE - Sing, Smile, Skip and Shine! We all can relate to the warmth of the sun and the joy it brings. We love to share our sunny emotions with everyone around us! Put on your favorite song, your shoes with the sparkles and spread you silly-shine all over the place!
WIND - I love the warm breeze in the summer and to watch the leaves dance in the fall. Twirling, tumbling and twisting like the wind help me untangle my emotions especially when I’m confused or unsure. Find some ribbon to run with, feathers to fly with and let’s blow like the wind
RAIN - Drip-drop, droop, plop. Dump, pour and piddle-puddle! There are so many ways to express when you’re feeling like a rainy day inside. Sometimes I use my rainy days to piddle around and organize stuff, or cozy up like a puddle in my favorite corner with my favorite book. Rainy days just give me space and time to think about all the things I’m feeling- how about you?
STORM - Stomp, Scream, Smash and Stew! We all need a good storm season to get our emotions out. We all have strong feelings that need to be expressed. Let’s make room for them in healthy and safe ways. Grab your pots and pans, spoons and symbols and release a storm!
Last activity, let's build your Self RegulationToolkit
Follow the steps in the link and have fun putting together the things that provide you understanding and grounding, empathy and peace, as well as give you time and space to recalibrate and bring yourself back into balance.
Grand finale! Let's share
A quick video or picture of your weather dance and/or toolkit so we know that we're not alone in our feelings and emotions!
In purpose and passion on the way to the root of us.
Fernell ~
Another way to interact with me is through our Root Work Response Form which will let me know more of what you need, as well as support you where you are now. I'm so thankful to you all for your personal support, as well as supporting the Root of Us.
Can't wait to hear from you!