In conversation with a client yesterday, it hit me:

We’ve been on a cleanse- a social cleanse.

And those who have done a cleanse know that during the cleanse and after, everything feels heightened.

The ‘during’ period is the mirror that shows us all our coping patterns- by disrupting our ‘normal’, it invites in more awareness. It takes away the things we reach for to comfort, to numb out, to just be on auto pilot with. It’s one of the great benefits and also one of the things that makes sticking with cleanses feel so hard.

But if we stick with it, we get more clarity. Those unconscious things are brought to the surface and we can become more mindful, more centered, more self-aware and self-aligned.

Then comes the re-entry. If we’ve been on some kind of dietary cleanse, we have to slowly reintroduce foods. Too much, too quick, too soon has very obvious physical symptoms and repercussions. Things that don’t feel good but that we used to do without thinking... very obviously don’t feel good.

It’s like layers of skin were peeled back, sloughed off, and we’re newly born- tender and a little raw.

If you’re gradually reintroducing yourself back into social situations and groups, I invite you to go slowly. Reintroduce mindfully. And, if your mind and heart are excited but your body suddenly seems anxious, give yourself some grace.

Some people may not feel aligned with you anymore. That’s ok. I’m case you need it, this is your permission to feel what you feel.

And remember that your nervous system moves somewhere between geological speed and the speed of thought. Even where there is love and excitement to be back together- those hugs can feel good *and* they can feel like too much too fast too soon.

Be kind. Be patient. Things are functioning exactly as they’re meant to.