Sunshine and beaches and trauma. Oh my!
You've got to soak up all the good to build up a resistance to the bad
Do you ever have those moments where you are keenly aware that you need to take a mental snapshot because you know past you would be so pleased with where you are right in that very moment, and future you will need to remember it later to get by?
I had a prominent one the other day, where I felt like I needed to capture that “snapshot” moment. I was in my yard in the sunshine, wearing a bikini, enjoying a slight breeze, drinking coffee out of a mug with a unicorn on it, and painting a seashell that I found with nail polish. My dog slept under my chair, birds sang above me, and I could hear horse clops on the road outside of my fence, and the faint music of my husband playing guitar in the house, which I knew meant nothing was on fire inside. Nothing needed my direct attention. In that moment, I was okay. I knew it wouldn’t last forever, and I’d never expect it to, but for that moment, things were fine. Good even.
It’s important to note these moments because they are proof that life is never all bad. So the next time you’re having a tough time and just want to scream out, “My life is shit!” Remember these moments, and instead scream out, “My life is sometimes shit and the hard moments sure suck, but I know that I’ve had good moments before and accept that I am likely to have more in the future!” Which, admittedly, may not roll off the tongue as easily, but at least it’s true.
Stay kind. Stay curious <3
Nikki
After a traumatic event on the beach a few years ago, I lost my love for dogs for a bit. Reclaiming that joy took time, patience, and some fascinating brain science. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a fear response, this one is for you.
(cute dog pics included)
Read: The beautiful biology of bravery
🖤
Have you ever had to "re-teach" your brain how to feel safe? I'd love to hear your story.
Hey Look! A cool plant!
The Sensitive Plant
(Mimosa pudica)
Why it’s cool: This plant is essentially the botanical poster child for a "startle response." When it’s touched, shaken, or even feels a particularly strong gust of wind, its leaves fold inward and the entire branch droops as if it’s wilting. Once the threat has passed, the plant perks back up fairly quickly, within minutes, as seen here in this timelapse.
It’s utilizing a highly evolved defense mechanism called seismonastic movement. By folding up, the plant makes itself look smaller and less appetizing to predators. Researchers have found that these plants can actually learn. If they are repeatedly exposed to a stimulus that is scary but not actually harmful, they eventually stop folding, learning that they are safe and can stay open even in a busy environment.
The lesson: Most of us can relate to the Sensitive Plant, I think. When we face fear, especially of rejection, judgment, or failure, our instinct is to curl up and protect our softest, most vulnerable parts.
It’s a valid way to stay safe until the threat passes, and like the plant, we can learn to distinguish between a real threat and just a scary-feeling gust of wind. As we practice being unmasked and authentic, we teach our brain that it’s safe to stay open and catch the sun.
Some things I found interesting and thought you might too
Scientists discovered that rats actually emit tiny "giggles" when tickled, helping researchers map out the specific part of the brain that controls laughter and play
These resilient trees don't just survive in salt water; they act as living time capsules, trapping sediment and history within their roots to protect our coastlines from the changing tides.
A tiny parasite found in cats, Toxoplasma gondii, has the bizarre ability to rewire the brains of mice (and potentially humans) to make them less fearful and more impulsive.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear. — Franklin D. Roosevelt