Dance Therapy Breakthrough – A Post-Grief Comeback Story

Dancing for Joy and Post-Grief - 4 Minute Challenge

I won’t lie. It has been a gut-wrenchingly tough year since we lost our youngest sister as she lost her battle with depression.

With the grief have come screams, numbness, denial, guilt and loss of creativity. This is my first blog post in over a year and I am ready to share what finally helped me break through to a new day, a new sense of hope.

Have you ever lost someone you love or even yourself?

I tried everything I would tell someone else to do to bounce back – be kind to yourself, get therapy, give hugs, feel gratitude, eat healthy, eat chocolate, ignore the news and Facebook feeds. All of these things, especially when combined together, did nudge me closer to smiles and laughter. Also, It’s hard not to appreciate my kids’ infectious smiles and energy.

But…I still needed more.

That ‘more’ came the day my sister Pauline and I went to a Chalene Johnson Smart Success event. Imagine a couple thousand people getting inspired – but also forced into dance breaks between each and every speaker. Even the speakers came on to the stage dancing. As much I wanted to crawl into a hole, I forced myself to enjoy the fist-pumping beat.

Those dancing beats saved me….saved me from another year of numbness.

I realized that dancing, if you give it permission, refreshes the soul. It is the magic elixer to not only raise high spirits higher, but also to lift the darkness.

So my new mantras are either “Celebrate- Let’s Dance!” or “Just Dance (it off)” – depending on whether it is time to celebrate the magic in our lives, or to help shake off the blues.

Perhaps some of these examples may help (all REAL events in my life):

  • Step in poop with your favorite tennis shoes? -> Just dance it off!
  • Twins had a great day at school (no visits to the office) -> Celebrate- Let’s dance!
  • Lice hits the house full-force the night before the overnight camp bus is scheduled to leave -> Just dance it off!
  • The house is clean -> Celebrate- Let’s dance!
  • Bathroom floods and leaks down 3 floors below us -> Just dance it off!
  • Blog post finally goes viral -> Celebrate- Let’s dance!
  • Hubbie has a work trip the exact same timing as my favorite blog conference -> Just dance it off!

and…

Dance Therapy- #4MinuteDance Challenge - ClubChicaCircle.com

BUT – one more thing. Do you have 2 left feet? I do. I am the queen of 2 left feet dancing. This has held me back in the past – but no longer.

NO MORE excuses! Life is too short not to dance through.

Here is a 4-minute/7-day challenge I am giving myself to keep up the momentum. Will you join me??

  • Find your favorite infectious song that will draw you into the dancing mood
  • Set an alarm on your phone to repeat each day at the same time for at least 7 days
  • Find a spot where you can move and dance (even if it is in a private bathroom)
  • Before dancing, check in with yourself to see how you are really feeling (1-10 scale)
  • Dance to your selected song (a video is even better)
  • After the dance, check in with yourself again. Did you raise your emotional level?
  • Repeat for 7 days (at least)
Dance Therapy for joy and breakthroughs

Dance Therapy Challenge- 4 Minutes to improve your breakthrough potential

 Don’t leave me hanging…will you join me? It’s only 4 minutes per day for one week.

Here are some of my favorite music videos:

IMPORTANT NOTE: This challenge does NOT replace any professional help for those needing extra support. Please reach out to find the right therapist or doctor for professional support. You are loved and you are important.

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crafty is contagious

 

Lynnee Jimenez

Lynnee Jimenez -> I am a wanna-be crafter who is inspired by my crafty sister Pauline, my tween daughter and niece. By day, I work in high-tech. By night, I dream of learning how to best use gloss, glitter & my daughter's glue gun. I really want to create memories with my daughter to last a lifetime. 

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  2 comments for “Dance Therapy Breakthrough – A Post-Grief Comeback Story

  1. Sylvia Stacey
    June 20, 2016 at 12:23 pm

    Hi.
    Your e-mail today is a God-send!! Honestly!!

    I lost my husband 18 months ago. With completing 2015 taxes this Spring, I am at a real loss. That was the “last pressing order of business to take care of.” Now I am completely numb, depressed.

    Last week my daughter secretly made me a dr. appointment and insisted I keep it. He prescribed medication and counseling.

    Your newsletter re: dance therapy for those grieving is a wonderful suggestion. I have not danced in years, but this sounds worth trying. Thank you for the excellent post, complete with music videos! I pray everyone who could benefit from it sees it. EXCELLENT POST!!!!

    • June 20, 2016 at 12:47 pm

      Thank you Stacy! You made my day. Final taxes for our sister was tough really for me,too. I hope you find comfort soon. The dancing really did help me – and I still have the reminder alarm on my phone every day. Stay strong. Sending you hugs and a new tune. Lynnee

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