Pay Attention to the World: 7 Crucial Ways to Face, Process and Digest The Impossible (Without Being Triggered)

Last weekend I received a message that triggered something deep within me.

It was from someone very much from my past, and it wasn’t unexpected. But even so, my reaction surprised me. 

It was residual of an impact. One of deep pain and regret.   

Me from another life.

I had a lot come up... I needed to process it.  I cried a lot and felt very very deeply my sadness and regret that I wasn’t capable of communicating more clearly and cleanly those 15 years ago. 

And on Sunday I fell ill with a fever.

***

Well, within a few days, with clearness of sight (a great deal of sleep) I could step back, and witness this moment for what it was.

You see, despite all my work, all my experience over the years, I know that, throughout my past, I chose not to process what was happening in the immediate. I didn’t pay attention. I didn’t have the tools or support. 

I wasn’t able to fully face how I truly felt. 

I didn’t have the autonomy I would have needed to change things. 

(It’s no surprise then, that I held onto something so deep inside me, it needed to be karmically purged in the form of a fever.)

(And I have literally poured my life into acquiring these deep skills of processing and communication in these last 15 years.) 

Now as dramatic as this may sound, I'm not the only one. Scattered around the globe I see many people taking a similar line. Many are CEOs and leaders -- strategic thinkers. They’re used to carrying a heavy load. And yet… 

Every one of them tells me they have moments when they simply can't process one more thing.

One more deadline, one more headline.

One more piece of news. 

They’ve simply lost the capacity to pay attention. 

They are overwhelmed. 

And forgotten the power they have to change things.

Well, all this got me thinking… 

So much of my work is based around helping people face, process and digest what feels like the impossible. Events that are painful, difficult, and sad. Things that impact them directly, or threats they see from afar. 

(After all, we never know where the straw that broke the camel’s back will come from.) 

But that’s why it’s so important to learn how to pay attention, instead of falling into dissociation, or switching off. (Although God knows it might feel easier to open a bottle of wine, or binge watch Friends -- for the zillionth time.) 

The truth is, dissociation leaves us just as drained, in a different way. We’ll long to find meaning in our work, ache to fill our cup, all the while (as I found out, last weekend) unaware of when, where or how that pain and anguish may rise to the surface.

Yes, as scary as it may feel at times, clearness of vision is what we need right now. In fact, as modern, intelligent, lateral thinkers, I would say it’s crucial now more than ever.

You see, no matter what’s happening in your world -- in the world -- if you can pay attention to your body, your nervous system, your digestion, and your inner stability, that will help you best deal with whatever life throws at you.

So, the question is, how do you craft inner stability, AND honor your innermost feelings, when life is more unpredictable than ever? 

Well, this is a huge question. And I can’t try to give you all the answers in one post... 

But what I do know is this: when I feel overwhelmed, or futility tries to get the better of me, I follow a few simple rules to ground my body, and remind myself that I’m a sovereign being. There’s still so much I can do. 

Which brings me neatly to…

Pay Attention to the World: 7 Crucial Ways to Face, Process and Digest The Impossible (Without Being Triggered)

1. Sit with it.

Be with it. (Yes, simply be.) One of the hardest things is to allow yourself to just be, and without anaesthetising, let your deepest, truest, most profound reaction wash over you.

1. Regulate your nervous system.

Feel your feet on the floor. Put your hand on your belly and breathe deeply into your lower abdomen and pelvis. Breathe down, through your legs and into your feet.

1. Get outside.

… And make contact with the earth. Put your hands on the ground, even crawl on the ground. Whatever you want to do to feel at one with the earth right now.

1. View morning sunlight. 

I’m as fair skinned as they come, and need my sunscreen, but like Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman I’m a great believer in early morning sun. The blue light is proven to improve your mood, regulate dopamine, increase energy, and regulate our circadian rhythms. All crucial if you want to stay present to the world. 

(Five minutes is all you need, as yes, even winter sun counts!)

1. Orient yourself towards your environment. 

Be aware of what's actually happening in your space. And what's actually happening within you in relation to your space. 

1. Get into your body. 

Walk, stretch, exercise, dance, get a massage or take a bath. Eat real, nourishing food, and focus when you're eating.

Don't have any news on, and keep the TV turned off. No external stimulation if you can. Just be with yourself, and the enjoyment, taste and experience of eating.

1. Write down, speak though, and release exactly what’s triggering you

Speak into your voice app. Talk through your thoughts as quickly as they come. No one is listening, be as candid as you like. (And, if you write it down, you can burn it -- which is always a good thing too.) 

Okay, I’ll leave you with that for now. ❤️

If you implement any of these, and notice a difference, I’d love for you to shoot me an email, and tell me what comes up for you.

Until next week, 

Love and Blessings, 🙏🏻💛🪷

Naomi

P.S. Oh I nearly forgot: my fever? I’m doing so much better, thank you. ;) But I’m in no doubt it was a mixture of emotion: within and without, long overdue processing, and holding the world a little too close for my own health.

It just goes to show, despite all the work, none of us are immune. We all need to take some time now and then, to digest the impossible -- and come back to our autonomy. 

So, if this is something you needed to hear today? Take a moment to shoot me an email. I’d love to hear from you.