12/07/2025
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ
We live in an age where we have easy access to tools that help us self-regulateโto bring calm into our nervous system. There are certainly times when this is essential: to manage the moment or to retrain your system toward ease. And yet, I am beginning to notice that using these tools can sometimes become a reflex at the first sign of discomfort in the belly.
This monthโs practice is to unpractice, for just a few moments, when the ego begins to become more balanced and brings feelings of unsafety in the belly. If these sensations arise, take a moment to look around and notice that there is likely no real threat presentโotherwise, your heart would not open, and your ego would not be softening.
Rather than immediately reaching for long, slow exhales, closing your eyes, humming, or gving yourself a hug, try simply allowing the belly to be felt. Attend to it fully, without judgment. You may know your limits, or perhaps you donโtโbecause the default has often been to self-regulate rather than to build resilience and let the body register the safety that is already there.
Feel free to alternate back and forthโpendulate between noticing the sensations in your belly and using your familiar self-regulation tools. See if you can slowly increase the time spent with the raw sensations and decrease reliance on the tools, allowing your nervous system to gradually experience safety in the body itself.