Looking outward rather than inward
Over the last 4 years, I’ve become more aware of my body than ever before.
Every symptom, every sensation, every thought and feeling.
I need not explain this to any other chronic illness sufferers.
You know what it is like to be hyperaware of what’s going on in your body.
Now in many ways, looking inward has greatly benefited me.
Somatic tracking, and meditation - these have all been things that have helped me become less alarmed and more accepting of what’s going on in my body.
That being said, following a silent retreat, and practising somatic tracking (nearly) obsessively, I think there is a time and a place to look more outward.
My therapist recently pointed out to me, that whilst it is a valuable skill that I have crafted, this ability to notice and feel what is going on inside, but is likely that I may be over doing it.
Some people struggle to feel into their bodies and struggle to visualise, and this itself can be a problem.
But so can being so consumed and internally focused, that none of your presence is shifted into the outward world.
This made total sense to me, and it really dawned on me that in an effort to get better, I had become consumed with looking within.
And so she suggested a different exercise.
Not not neglect the somatic and inward focusing work of course, but something to balance the scales. Something to get me looking slightly more outward.
The exercise is quite simple and can be done when out and about.
- Firstly, you pick something with distinguishing features that you would like to focus on, maybe this could be a shape, or a colour, say yellow.
- You then gently bring your attention to objects of this description as you’re going about your day. Maybe it’s a sign, a building, a car, whatever.
Something that also really helps me in being more present is to talk through (in my head of course!) what I’m looking at.
‘Hmm that’s an interesting shade, hmm that’s kind of yellow, though maybe more orange I guess?’
Being so descriptive really helps me to stay with the object that I’m present with, and keeps me staying outward.
I’ve found this really beneficial recently, so I thought I would share it with you all, in the hope that it might help you as well!
Let me know how you get on!
