Self Care For Storytellers

Chances are, if you’re here and reading this right now, it’s because the title resonated with you. ‘Self Care for Storytellers’.

These are some heavy times we are living in, and for us storytellers, the weight of it all can feel overwhelming at times.

You see we creative types feel things deeply. We have a tendency to over think, over analyze, and over empathize. And, when we don’t stop (at least sometimes) to process all of that intensity, we can start to feel like we’re unraveling.

However, I’ve learned to embrace my storyteller’s sensitivity…

Self Care for Storytellers Tips to Make it Happen

First, give yourself permission to press pause.

When you feel like the weight of the world is getting you down, it is ok to declare a self-care day (honestly, I do this all the time now and I have lived to tell the tale). Unplug from social media, brew a steaming mug of your favorite beverage, and decompress. This can involve digging in to a book you haven’t had time to start, getting outside for a walk in the sunshine, or binging the latest and greatest on Netflix. You get the idea – just fill in the blank with whatever it is that you know will help you to relax and unwind.

Second, lean on your people.

Not everyone in your orbit will understand what this heaviness feels like (and that’s also ok), but there are guaranteed to be at least a couple of people who do. So, call or text a friend, or, if you’re feeling like it, write someone a little note of gratitude. It is a known phenomenon that when we focus on something (or someone) that we’re grateful for, we have the power to calm our brain and our nervous system.

Third, put your gift to use.

Painters paint, musicians compose, and storytellers tell stories. As you well know, the art of writing can be extremely therapeutic. Whether you are writing in a journal or creating a great piece of fiction, you may find that honing in on your craft can be incredibly helpful.

And, last but not least, speak kindly to yourself.

Negative self-talk when you’re already feeling stressed is not the solution. If you find that your mind is running away down a negative path, it is time for a mindset reset. This is where you flip the script on what you’ve been thinking and replace it with something positive. Instead of, “why do I even bother? I can’t do this,” try, “I remember feeling the same way last time. And what happened? I killed it! I am capable of hard things.” And then? You press repeat on that talk track, because it’s one that’s worth keeping around.

We’ve got this, right?