Image from Bare Faced Femme
Keeping our wellness intact may have gone either one way or another for Women in Progress®️ the past few months.
According to Frontiers, Filipinos, in particular, felt a significant amount of anxiety and worry and if you find yourself relating to that, you're not alone. Take your time in picking yourself up; sometimes we forget slow rises still count. When you find you're course through re-navigating your way towards wellness, keep this as a steady reminder: Women in Progress like you are going through it (and looking out for you,) too.
In that spirit, we asked them, all in the process of rediscovering their wellness what they could share about the journey so far. We narrowed it down, giving you the key takeaways— from one Woman in Progress®️ to another:
On being gentle with oneself.
Image from Nikki Cruz
"I really strive hard because I know I can do well. But in this pandemic, circumstances made me realize I can also rest and be gentle with myself."
What to take away:
We've all felt like we still need to work at our hundred-percent capacity despite challenging times. Our lesson from a Woman in Progress®️ herself: healthy, restful breaks will never bog you down or hinder your ability to be the best version of yourself. We'll be able to save ourselves from burning out, and the physical manifestations of life under constant stress or pressure.
On realizing the importance of having hobbies.
"I used to think it's always about what I work on, and under lockdown, when that went away, I felt a little empty. I think it was my push to find something I like beyond work and do things I've always wanted to try."
What to take away:
We have to have our identities beyond what we do when we clock in and out. Doing so gives us a bigger sense of purpose and self-actualization— realizing we're so much more than we think we are. Allow yourself to explore, be curious and pursue what you've always wanted. Slowly, but surely.
On saying no to opportunities.
Image from Valerie
"It can be tempting to chase after projects and responsibilities under the guise of productivity while staying at home. I learned to take a step back and evaluate if it's something I actually want or something I only think I want."
What to take away:
Understanding what's productive for us might not be saying yes to everything. Redefining productivity into something that we know would benefit the Woman in Progress®️ we've yet to meet might be the answer to keeping us ourselves in check.
On discovering enjoyment with being active.
Image from Moded Amour
"During the pandemic, I learned that I love being an active person— I used to hate any sport or any form of physical activity outdoors. I also got into fitness and taking care of my health seriously."
What to take away:
Deciding to focus on our wellness not only takes care of the person who we are right now and who we ought to be, but it also gives us time to explore. We're keeping in mind what would've skipped in the past and include it in our to-do lists. Our favorite thing might be there.
What we're experiencing now isn't a way to learn these lessons, but as we navigate our way through lockdown (and hopefully soon, post-lockdown) it as experiences we just have to go through. Pack them until we enter what it's like when lockdowns ease up. Keep Women in Progress®️ who learned bigger, heavier lessons in mind— see what we can do to make it better for ourselves and those who come next.
Thumbnail from Fulya Celik and James Tralie