It’s been almost five weeks since I’ve stepped foot on my school’s campus. When I left that Friday afternoon in March I didn’t suspect that I wouldn’t be back until the fall. It hurts my heart that our students won’t be welcomed into campus by the cheers and chants of our awesome City Year team. It sucks that our 8th graders won’t get to walk across the stage at graduation and our 6th graders have to complete their first year of middle school from home. It pains me that our educators were thrown into an entirely new professional and personal existence in the span of 48 hours. It’s all a bit overwhelming, scary and exhausting. In times like these and with all of those emotions and feelings, things could get dark.

In an effort to keep my head and my heart pointed towards the light I decided to use some of this time to deepen my practice of self. Inspired by a self-care bingo board a teacher created for her students that I saw on Twitter and a virtual woman’s circle I attended, I decided to create my own “Deepening My Practice of Self” board.

How it works:

I’m a visual person so I made it large so I can see it everyday as I'm working from home. I didn't have any butcher or chart paper so I made it on the last bit of wrapping paper I could find. (I think it’s appropriately covered in stars since I’m looking towards the light.)

I listed 25 things that either bring me joy or that I want more of in my life, one in each square. Running has been my saving grace during this time so I listed “Go for a run” in one square. I’m trying to get better at doing handstands so “Practice your handstand” is in another. I’ve been tearing it up in the kitchen so why not try some new recipes? One square reads, “Cook or bake something new.” More time at home has given me more time to meditate so another square reads, “5-minute mindful meditation.”

Every time I engage in one of these practices I draw a red heart in the box and my goal is to get at least one heart in each box. I'm being gentle with myself so I don't have a specific time frame. This is ongoing. When I need to take a break from my computer or back-to-back Zoom calls I check my board and find something to do.

The board helps me stay grounded, grateful, moving, and present. In this time of uncertainty, grief, and fear, going inward and doing small things that bring me joy has been beneficial.

I invite you to make your own version of a “Deepening My Practice of Self” board in a way that works for you. It could be a list you keep on your phone or written on your chalkboard wall. It can be created with a family member, friend, or by yourself. It could include 2 things or 100 things. Whatever it is, make sure it works for you and remember to engage in the practices that bring you joy and help you keep your head and your heart pointing towards the light.