Danielle here - we're trying something new

ASK OUR FOUNDERS

Hello Everyone,

Danielle from Before Noon here - 

Ann, Tash, and I thought we would try something new and kick-off a monthly message called "Ask Our Founders." The concept of Before Noon was born out of the desire to share the power of alternative healing. We each found solace and strength in alternative healing, and after sharing our stories of discontent, heartbreak, and anxiety, realized that our individual challenges were not unique. We started to rely on each other for guidance, connection, and support. 

Enter "Ask Our Founders":

"Ask Our Founders" is our place to vulnerably share what's happening in our lives, what themes we are tackling, and what self-care practices we are focusing on across mind, body, and spirit. We are grateful and honored to share our innermost thoughts in the hope that they will create more dialogue around your own personal growth and development.

This Month's Theme: Grief.

For me, July was a tough month. My grandmother passed away from cancer. Not unexpectedly, but still difficult to process nonetheless. The writing had been on the wall for a while and was only exacerbated by her being isolated as a result of covid-19. The pragmatist side of me reasoned that she passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, just as she wished. The emotional side of me, however, has struggled with accepting that she is no longer just a phone call away.

Grief is defined as the conflicting feelings caused by the end of or change in a familiar pattern of behavior. I feel it is important to share some of the lessons I've learned about grief, because we are collectively grieving. In the most extreme, grief can be caused by the death of a loved one, and in the least extreme, it can be caused by something as simple as having to wear masks in public. We are grieving the end of our "normal."

Here is what I've learned, so far, about grief: 

• Vulnerably sharing your emotions around grief has the power to bind a family back together. My family is like most in that emotions are avoided at all costs. Vulnerably sharing how we feel, or even just seeing and respecting each other cry, has made us feel closer than we have in years.

• Grief isn't a one and done feeling. It often creeps up unexpectedly. At the beginning, I tried to resist it, but instead was counseled to "feel it, understand it, respect it, and then release it."

• Releasing grief can take many forms. Sometimes it is a good cry. Sometimes it is sharing a funny story about my grandmother. Sometimes it is letting everything out through a long journaling session.

• Self-care is more important than ever when working through grief. It's important to give yourself the space and kindness to gently move through all of the emotions.

• You are more vulnerable when processing grief. Because of this, it's especially important to be conscious of who you surround yourself with. If someone in your sphere is extremely anxious, you may feel yourself picking up their anxiety more easily. It's okay to distance yourself from unwanted emotions.

My Self-Care Practices to Move Through Grief: 

MIND

• Talk Therapy - because sometimes talking it out is what I need
• My go-to is Claudia Chirico from Bloom Energy Therapy
• Journaling - journaling has always been a way of release for me
• Before Noon's journal is pretty great, and supports the creative arts
• I also recently discovered these hand-painted notebooks and am obsessed
• Reading - because one of my StrengthsFinder strengths is "Learner"
• This article about grief brings so much clarity about us collectively grieving the loss of our normal
• Tash gave me Melody Beattie's Journey to the Heart as a birthday present and I find it to be a great way to start each day with a mindful thought

BODY

• Getting Outdoors - I find grounding and balance in nature. This month I plan to visit:
• Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the US, formed by the collapse of a volcano
• Thor's Well, an awesome sinkhole at the edge of the Oregon coast
• Plant-Based Nutrition - last month I tried Sakara's 10-Day Detox and watched The Game Changes documentary and got hooked on plant-based eating. A few recipes I want to try in August:
• Zucchini Linguini
• 5 Ingredient Quinoa Pizza
• Working Out - I let working out slip from my self-care routine last month. To get back on track, I love:
• Nike's Training Club App, they have programs that give you a pre-planned workout schedule
• I haven't found a virtual yoga session I love yet, but YoYoYogi's platform is pretty good

SPIRIT

• #betterfeels hour - our next event is this Sunday, 8/9, at 9am PST. These events bring me so much joy. This month's session surrounds confronting and releasing grief
• Photography - I recently upgraded my camera to a Canon EOS 6D Mark ii and have enjoyed stepping back into the creative mindset while learning how to use it
• Intuitive Reading - the Lady of Lightning, Brooke Dabalos, conducts intuitive tarot card readings and healing sessions to illuminate your healing path forward

Thank you for allowing us the space to share. Please don't hesitate to reach out with reflections, comments, questions, etc. - we would love to hear from you!

Sending love and light,

Danielle