28-Day Pit Stop (June)
On the 28th day of each month (in honor of PMS and that whole menstrual cycle thing), we make a Pit-Stop to rally support for each other during a particular moment of PSM. This month, again, we're a little late. What's new, right?
This month's little adventure is entitled "Venturing Out Alone".
Listen, I'm the first one to say that in the throes of PSM, the last thing we want is be told to "get out there". In fact, for me, nothing made me sadder, because I just couldn't, and, frankly, didn't want to. I understand that we need time to get through the first stages of PSM on our own and at our own pace. We need time to grieve. I want you to take that time to just be sad, believe me. Some days, nothing helps PSM more than a good cry or a spell of vegetation.
But the minute you see a flash of light at the end of that proverbial tunnel (and you will - probably in the Rehabilitation Stage), I want you to do something that I didn't do. Venture out alone. Take a baby step. Do something close to home. But it has to be something you don't normally do. On a new road. In a new part of your town. A different time of day. Maybe you never leave the house before noon on Saturday? Well, make sure to plan this for first thing Saturday morning. Even if it's a mile from home, go. And go alone. Take a tour. Or walk a path. Or go to a grocery store you've never been to. Or just drive. I think you'll be surprised how ready people are to welcome you. The PSM you. The new you.
I've been on a road trip of my own for the last couple of weeks, and I will tell you more about it as soon as I collect my thoughts, but there have been moments that I think may just be redefining me. I feel more confident, more comfortable, and more accepted than I ever have. And these were tiny moments in the scheme of things. Nothing major. Nothing earth-shattering. Just seemingly me-shattering. It's my first glimpse of that Satisfaction Stage I talk about.
Trust me. Venture out. Alone. One baby step at a time. If you need a shove, let me know!! Hey, I do what I can. : ) Email me at psm@psming.com. And if you do venture out, please share in a comment below.
June's Pit Stop Suggestions:
Just one: Solo Road Trip! Even if it's a mile from your house.
2 Comments | Email | Print | Share | tagged alone, road trip, solo, venture out | in 28-Day Cycle Pit Stops
Reader Comments (2)
While I am not completely PSM, I am close enough for all practical purposes, having had two leave 9 years apart and one more to go. Karen is correct when she says take baby steps. The hardest part is that very first step. Last month I took my step and went to a PSM meeting. It was awkward yes, but it didn't kill me and actually I found several people just like me and Karen, etc. (the only difference is I am not a great writer and would never be able to create a journal).
Starting today do something for you, call Karen or go to Meetup.com and find out where the next meeting is going to be. Get off the couch, walk out the door and drive to the location, get out of the car (don't just sit there waiting for people to know you are there and they should come get you), open the door, look for the meetup sign and a whole lot of others feeling uncomfortable, lastly sit down, open your mouth and share. Result: feeling/knowing that you are not the only one that is LONELY. Well, looking at this now, maybe all that is not just ONE SMALL BABY STEP, but a whole series of baby steps, but you know everyone needs to walk sometime. The worse thing that can happen, you spend time with people you dont know, laughing, and sometimes crying, but knowing you became stronger because of it.
Maybe next time I wont be so hesitant or maybe I will, but at least it will be easier knowing there are others in the same boat as me!!
Thanks Karen for creating our connection
Denise, I love this!!!! It's so true. It's very awkward. But I'm convinced that our biggest mistake is thinking there aren't others. We're just so hard to find, being on the couch inside the house under a blanket and a lot of sadness. LOL, and not funny, too. PSMers are a tough group to get up and out of the house, but I am determined!!! I mean, we all need time to grieve, but just knowing there are people waiting for us....means all the world.
I'm so glad to have met you and I hope we get more activity going with the group. I would just love to build a national community for us. We're a great bunch of gals who deserve...well...each other. Ha!
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience!!! Much appreciated.