12/21/2025
When I got home a week ago I was feeling tired and grumpy. My digestion was off. I noticed more arguments in my head and more self-criticism. And honestly, I didn't leave myself the option to slow down - it's a high season of work for me.
I also noticed that when I was not present when working. I always had something on in the background - reels, podcasts, noise. My body would feel exhausted when my brain was awake... then it would flip wired brain, tired body.
From a nervous system perspective this is a sign of moving between sympathetic activation and Dorsal vagal shutdown. Sympathetic is our "go" state - the gas pedal - when we push perform and stay alert. Dorsal vagal is a shutdown response - heaviness, fog low energy, disconnection.
Getting stuck in these two can feel like having your foot in the gas and the break at the same time. The body wants rest, but the mind won't slow down. Or the mind wants clarity, but the body feels heavy and resistant. It's a way your body signals it's needs.
Instead of getting upset with myself, I looked at the reality. My body is adjusting. It's a busy season. I had another emergency before I left Canada. My dog is also re-adjusting. I know this because I looked at my Somatic resource sheet and it showed me the patterns I know come with dysregulation.
So I chose a few non-negotiables. One walk on the beach or to the jungle with my dog. Reading before bed. Nourishing meals. Simple things that help my body find pace and adapt more easily.
This meant my house stayed messy for longer than I wanted. But because health is a core value for me, I let some things slide. Everything is caught up and clean today even though it took a little longer.
I wanted to share this as we are in the season of food, money, stress, resolutions and hangovers-
You don't have to push harder if your system is slowing you down. Feeling foggy, reactive or disconnected is a sign you should be gentle on yourself and stick to your basics.
You probably already know what you need - but if you don't I have lots of resources and courses to support you feeling your best :)