April Showers Bring May Flowers

By: Nicki Reid, Bilingual BA

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Mama, how are you?

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Since the last time we connected, I feel like things were starting to look up; spring arrived, the patios were beginning to open up and then, BOOM — everything was taken away. We were hit with the news that we were going into yet ANOTHER lockdown; what the Ontario government is calling the “emergency break” lockdown (similar to the lockdown we had over the Christmas holidays). What is this, the 3rd lockdown since March 2020? I’ve lost count…

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In addition, the Peel Public Health Unity recently announced that schools in Peel region were going to be moving to online learning from April 6 through to April 18. More recently, Toronto Public Health announced that all Toronto Schools will be closed effective April 7th — April 28th. This leaves working parents in a last minute rush to make accommodations for their children. And to top it all off, the medical officers of health for Toronto, Peel Region, and Ottawa have sent a letter to Ontario’s chief medical officer requesting that the provincial government implement a provincewide stay-at-home order and consider additional restrictions amid the third wave of COVID-19.

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I shared in the last blog post how challenging this past winter has been for not only myself, but for a lot of other people as well. Processing all of these recent developments and dealing with all of the back and forth with us opening up and then having to go back into lockdown, has been disheartening to say the least. It feels like when we take a few steps toward, we take double the steps back. If you’re feeling anything like how I’ve been feeling, frustrated with all of these constant changes, I want to let you know that it is okay; it is all okay.

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Being in the Mommy space, some have shared that they feel like they are at their wits end with online learning and not knowing how much more of this they can take.

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In the past, I’ve shared tips on how to move through difficult situations, but now I would like to take a moment to create space to honour the uncomfortable emotions, the perceived “bad” or “negative” emotions that may be coming up for you. It’s important to acknowledge them because they are a part of the human experience.

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How are you feeling? How has this impacted you? Take a moment to sit with whatever is coming up for you.

You can use this opportunity to journal about what you’re experiencing.

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Breathe through it. Take a long and slow inhale in, hold your breath for a few seconds and then slowly exhale.

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Hydrate with some water or drink a hot cup of calming chamomile tea.

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On your time and when you’re ready, you can start to move on to the next step.

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How do you want to feel? What do you want to experience? What do you need in order to get there?

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For myself, being in warm tropical places such as a beach in the Caribbean is my happy place. While travelling to a beach destination won’t be happening for a while, envisioning it puts a smile on my face. In the interim, I am most looking forward to the brighter and warmer days ahead. What are you looking forward to? What is something that makes you feel good and puts a smile on your face? Hold that thought in your mind.

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As Martin Luther King Jr said, “you don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” I invite you to take some time to truly explore what it is that you need. Stay in community with others who are sharing this experience with you. Have safe spaces where you can vent your frustrations. Speaking of which, Mommy monitor has several resources that can support you during these times. Click here to visit their Black Professionals Database to find the appropriate service provider for you, and click here to schedule a counselling session with their clinical therapist.

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Stay safe and sane Mamas, be well.

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Nicki Reid, Bilingual BA‍

Certified Transformational Coach | Certified Essential Oil Specialist | Certified ARōMATOUCH Practitioner | 200 YTT , Wholesome Mind Health Coaching

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