I’m a cocooner….I admit it. Whenever anything devastating or stressful happens in my life, my natural instinct is to cocoon. Crawl inside myself, roll up in a fetal position, so to speak, and remove myself from the world. Given that I have a large family, a full time job, and a side career as an author and speaker, sometimes I just don’t get to do what comes natural. But that’s what I always WANT to do if I’m feeling sad or stressed. Can you relate to that?
Cocooning is part of the healing process, at least for me. Maybe for you, too. I want to validate that you may need that time, and it’s okay. The amount of time you need can vary greatly. Sometimes I only need to cocoon for an hour. Sometimes a day. Sometimes longer. Sometimes I’m cocooning while I’m still doing everything that is required of me….and no one knows it but me.
My point about cocooning is that while it is healing and sometimes necessary, it’s not healthy if it goes on for too long. ‘Too long’ is relative, and different for each person and each situation. But the truth is, you will know when it’s been too long. Something inside you, if you will acknowledge it, will nudge you. And you will feel that you need to open up again to life, and start moving again toward your next goal and your next adventure. You may start to feel antsy, or lonely, or guilty….or some other emotion that lets you know its time for a change. You’ll know. Trust yourself and listen to what it is you need.
I can assure you that when you get to that place, it will be equally healing to reach out to others and give some service or comfort to someone else. It will make you feel good about you, and it’s helpful to realize that life goes on and everyone you meet has their own struggles they are dealing with. You can be the answer to someone’s prayer on any give day, just as someone else was the answer to yours.
So cocoon away, my friend, if you need to. And then, unfurl those gorgeous wings of yours, and fly again.
Love,
Michelle
