Welcome to The Survive & Thrive Support for Summer Newsletter.
As many of us are reaching the end of the school summer holidays, you may notice a very specific kind of exhaustion can set in. It’s not just physical tiredness; it’s a feeling of being completely disheartened, dispirited, or disconnected from who you actually are outside of your parenting role.
When life gets this heavy, the very first things we drop are the small acts of joy, creative expression, and quiet that keep us human. We stop playing music, we don't have the mental capacity to engage with stories, we rush through every spare second, and peaceful silence feels like an impossible luxury.
If you are feeling dispirited today, we want to share a simple, gentle check-in framework. When a soul is weary, it is often helpful to look back and ask these four questions:
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When did you stop dancing?
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When did you stop singing?
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When did you stop being enchanted by stories?
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When did you stop finding comfort in the sweet territory of silence?
These questions aren't meant to be another stick to beat yourself with. They are simply a gentle map back to yourself.
This Week’s Journal Prompts
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When did I last experience a tiny moment of singing or dancing?
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This doesn't mean going out or putting on a performance. It could be humming along to a favorite song in the car, or having a silly 30-second kitchen dance while waiting for the kettle to boil. How can you invite that micro-moment back in today?
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Am I still allowing myself to be enchanted by stories?
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When our brains are overwhelmed by research and worry, we often default to doom-scrolling. Is there a story, a fiction book, an immersive podcast, or a snippet from a beautiful movie, that could give your mind a safe escape hatch for just 10 minutes tonight?
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How can I find a tiny pocket of the sweet territory of silence?
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True silence can feel impossible to find in a chaotic house. But can you claim a micro-moment of it? Sitting in the parked car for two minutes before you walk through your front door, or taking three deep breaths in an empty room. How can you claim that space today?
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If you are feeling a bit lost or disheartened this week, look at these questions without judgment. You deserve to dance, sing, listen, and rest.
Connect with us this week:
- Join the discussion: Head over to our private Facebook group [here] to share your reflections. Come tell us how you're practicing holding your emotional boundaries this week. *We'd love to hear whether this summer series has been helpful for you and whether you'd like to see more!*
- Looking for deeper support? Remember that you can also book a private 1-to-1 coaching session with us [here] to focus entirely on your own wellbeing, confidence, and needs.
Take care of yourself this week,
Katie & Kate
Co-Founders, The Survive and Thrive Collective
