Your Safe Space - Inspiration from our community

The Carrie Elizabeth community is such an important source of support for me. I always feel able to share what I’m going through or feeling, knowing I’ll be met with kindness and understanding

Meeting members of our community is always special. At our Your Safe Space Retreat Day in July, I got to know ten extraordinary women, each with their own individual stories of strength and courage.

I asked if I could share with you all some of the inspiration and ideas they had. So, I'm delighted to bring you words of encouragement and wisdom, straight from our - frankly incredible - community.

Supporting each other in mental wellness

What is the best piece of mental health advice you've received?

Tasneem: "I've learned that with any kind of hardship, ease does follow after."

Alison: "The best piece of mental health advice that I have received is to be open, take your time and communicate your thoughts as honestly as you feel comfortable to do. When you share something, not only are you able to express yourself, but might also piece together why you're feeling that way."

What is your go-to reset ritual when you're feeling overwhelmed or in need of a boost?

Annie: "When I’m overwhelmed, my go-to ritual is breath. So, I take a moment to feel intentional with the way I'm breathing, and try to soothe myself into stress reduction."

Alison: "My go-to ritual if I need a bit of a boost is to pause, make myself a warm drink, and sit down quietly at home or at the library. A bit of quiet time helps me reset my thoughts and my body."

Tasneem: "I like to go for long walks in nature. I will take about an hour and a half, take deep breaths, and relax in that time."

Can you share a self-care tip?

Jade: "I think my tip would be to not feel guilty about self-care! I think there's always that sense of needing to look after other people first, and not having time for yourself or feeling guilty when you do. But you shouldn’t feel guilty. You need to fill your cup so you can help others."

Annie: Something a therapist said to me once was every day you should spend 15 minutes doing something just for you. And so I am religious about having something for me every single day - something that gives me purpose, something that makes me feel good. I just had a period of a lot of stress and anxiety, and the first thing that made me feel good and gave me purpose was making bread, so I was keeping a sourdough starter alive. And now, my latest kind of ritual and routine is throwing pottery, and just being really present with it."

Emily: "I have found that I really need to take time to take care of myself – going for a massage, having a bath, etc. Just taking time out for yourself is really important."

Community & inspiration

How do you reach out for support when you need it? What has helped you weather your storms?

Tasneem: "I have a very good circle of close friends and they can sometimes tell when I need help before me even asking! But I have learnt to ask for help when I do need it."

Emily: "I had EDMR therapy to help me cope with a very traumatic experience. It was amazing, I'd recommend it to anyone.

Do you have a song, a book or a quote that you look to when you need a bit of a boost or to change your mood? 

Jade: "I like to think of the Erim Hanson quote: What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?

I try to remember that yes, something could go badly, but it could also go really good – and if you don't try you're never going to know! Even with the retreat today; I wasn't going to apply, I thought, 'well that will never happen'. Literally within the last few minutes before the deadline I applied and now I've been able to be part of this amazing day with some really amazing people. So yes - what if you fly?"

Emily: "Something I always think of in times of real trauma, when I need it is, is a teaching from Buddha. It describes how holding onto anger is like grasping hot coal in the palm of your hand. By holding onto anger, you are the one who is getting burnt."

Annie: The book The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, actually changed my entire life! It explores how you can have this bigger dream for your future, and how you can lean into that, and how you can live your life without having regrets about the things that you left behind. So it's really inspirational and important to me - I try to read it once a year."

Finding Your Safe Space

Where is your safe space?

Alison: "My safe space is definitely at home! My parents live with me and they are my safe space. They create that for me, so anywhere that I'm with them is my safe space."

Jade: "I'd say my safe space is my home with my family, and also being out in nature."

Which piece from the Your Safe Space Collection have you chosen, and why?

Tasneem: "I chose the Safe and Protected Bracelet in silver. I like the fact that you can flip it, and I love to feel that I am safe and protected."

Jade: "I choose the Engravable Bar Necklace in silver. Because I can engrave all four sides, I’ve added my daughters’ names and a word that means a lot to us. But even on its own it’s so classic. It's sparkly but also nice and subtle, it's just a lovely piece!"

Thank you so much to all our Retreat Day guests 💛 

I was touched by their openness and honestly, and am so grateful they have allowed me to share some of their perspective and wisdom.

If you're not already part of the Carrie Elizabeth community, I'd love to invite you to join! 

You can be part of the conversation over on Instagram, or sign up to our mailing list for personal missives and news.

Love, Carrie x