Self-Compassion: Validating Your Process Amid Pandemic

Woven in Truth Podcast

This episode is like a hug for your soul as Simara Blair stops by to refresh our minds and perspectives. Our hearts are deep waters, and Simara’s words help us articulate and validate what we might be experiencing. Coping with a global pandemic is no small feat; many of us are unpacking big emotions in unknown territories. Simara reminds us to give ourselves permission to feel what we feel, then we can cope and adapt out of that honest space. Your feelings matter and we need to be gracious with ourselves as we navigate this together.

About the Speaker

Simara is a creative and compassionate Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Ft Lauderdale Florida. She is the owner of Strength & Serenity Counseling Services, a private practice that addresses Perinatal Mental Health and Couples Issues. Simara has been practicing therapy for over 10 years and has a history in Youth & Family Ministry. Simara has been a Christian for 12 years. She’s a wife, mama bear of 2, and a lover of DIY and essential oils.

Episode Notes

Proverbs 20:5 “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.”

-Anticipatory grief- Attempting to cope with current crisis as well as the anticipation of possible future implications or losses. People are experiencing loss of what they were hoping for or dreaming about. Many of us aren’t equipped for how to deal with loss.
-We need to give ourselves and others a lot of grace right now.

-We need to stop placing judgements on what we feel. Your hurt is valid. Someone else’s experience doesn’t negate your own.

-Let whatever you feel “be”— healing happens when we operate out of an honest space. Acknowledge your experience.

-It’s human nature to adapt. God created us for adaption. We will learn how to adapt- but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.

-Give yourself permission to feel what you feel, then you can heal and adapt from that honest place.

-Feeling lethargic or extra tired? You’re very normal! Stressors mess with sleeping patterns. Your body physically responds to the emotional weight you are carrying. We are experiencing so many changes.

-Practice mindfulness - Create intentional transitional moments as you switch into different “gears” or “modes”

-We need to create safe places where we can be honest about the hard or negative things. Take the time to name your feelings so you can process them and adapt.

--Staying Connected is obviously important- We are women that are used to "doing" for others, including God - how can or should we adjust to this new normal?

• Create “space” for people
• Check in with no agenda
• Listen, Affirm, and Resist the urge to “fix” what the other person shares
• Practice basic “Thoughtfulness”- thinking of others
• Adapting socially- we can intentionally shift from thinking “I don’t have community anymore” TO “How can I create community now?”

Feel empowered to create new experiences to cultivate social exchange.

Simara’s mantras that are helping her cope:

• Anyone can suffer for a short period of time.
• This is temporary.
• God has given me everything I need. (Take the time to figure out what you need and how you can find and use the resources God gave you)

For more of Simara’s content visit for website: https://www.strengthserenitycounselingservices.com or follow her on Instagram @simarablair

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