“When was the last time I checked in with myself to see how I’m feeling?”

“When was the last time I really appreciated a deep breathe?”

“Do I need more rest?”

“Do I need more play?”

“How do I feel?”

These are the questions I’ve been focusing on lately.

I’ve started running again and noticed during one of my runs there was a tightness in my chest. I knew this was the physical manifestation of the feelings I’d been carrying about my job. I’ve felt this way before. I‘m guilty of carrying my feelings instead of feeling and releasing them. Sure, movement absolutely helps release some emotions, but some feelings you carry deeper. Some feelings turn into subconscious beliefs. Some feelings you don’t realise you’re carrying until you physically notice the tightness in your chest.

When this happens, it’s time to let go. These feelings, and the stories associated with them, are no longer yours to carry. For your own well-being, it’s time to let go. You deserve to feel light, valued and appreciated. You deserve to feel free. Please make sure you follow your feelings and trust that when you’re holding on, what you really need is to let go.

In the middle of my run, I stopped again. This time to take a full-bodied deep breath and to listen to the rainbow lorikeets singing overhead. In this moment, I was present. I wasn’t carrying feelings that were no longer mine to carry. Instead, I was aware that the time to let go of this tightness had come and I was open again to feeling free and ready to be supported and nurtured – much like the birds.

Stop, pause, check in, listen, let go, then start again.