Cotswolds

Page 19

Parenting & Guardianship with Roberta Smart

Who am I anyway? Living within a family unit is the default setting; a basic expectation of most people as they grow up. Many of us will naturally meet a partner, start a family together, raise children, work, pay bills and keep walking the treadmill of normality until something monumental happens to shift us into a state of shock. It may be bereavement, a divorce, a natural disaster or other outside influence which feels like it rudely awakens us from our passive slumber and we find ourselves asking, ‘Who am I now?’ This can happen to us at any age and when it does it should not be ignored. Big life events are certainly traumatic and difficult, but within them often lies a new path; a new way forward if only we can find it. If you, dear reader, have found yourself shaken out of your routine of parenting and caring for your family, and are facing a state of self enquiry, I would like to welcome you with open arms and invite you to walk a little way with me

The Local Answer

along a new path: the path of you.

Rest and look after yourself

future into excitement for what lies ahead, you will create pure magic in your life, almost accidentally. One day you will be sharing these magic tips with your own children as they navigate changes in the future – so why not become an expert right now?

Taking time to rest is massively important, when quite possibly your every nerve and fibre is urging you to ‘stay busy’ so you do not have to face the changes which Find joy in the everyday The most important part of are encompassing you. Please, find rest; in walks in the fresh self discovery amidst chaos is air, gardening, napping in the to find small fragments of joy afternoon, wandering in new in the everyday. Learn to places alone and discovering treasure quietness rather than things you had never noticed fear it, acknowledge your own before. Remember a rested skills which you previously took for granted and even parent is a happy parent! Nourish yourself, learn to navigate your way to turning cook a new signature dish, try things you used to do because foods you have never tried you ‘had to’, into blessed before, eat alone in a activities which bring you joy. When all is said and done, restaurant, all the time feeling into your own emotions, fears, you are amazing, you are valuable and you are so excitement and newness. Remember, anxiety and needed, no matter how you excitement are exactly the struggle or find life difficult. same sensation, simply You, in and of yourself, are a created for different reasons. gift to the world, and now may So if you can find ways to just be your time to present transform your fear of the yourself wholeheartedly. To advertise call   Page 


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