Activate Holiday Protocol

Chomi, waitse di holiday di holiday di monate! No school, No waking up early. Mum and Dad off to work, wena o sala o lebelelletse di popo all day - di a ntsha!! Then there are holidays when everyone is home and then it’s a little less fun, eish. Waitse ke chores first, you have to make the bed, make everyone breakfast, clean up and then you can go see your friends. Can’t wake up ka ten when there are other people around.

That’s just home life and there’s nothing wrong with it. Unless it completely drains you because that snaaks malome who makes you feel uncomfortable is coming for the week. Or the cousins that are always putting you down, making you feel bad about yourself or your home. They might always have something negative to say, uzi buze ukuthi vele vele ba zo funani la - if it’s sooo awaful lana? Abahlali yini emakibo pho?

Chomi, when you catch yourself thinking those thoughts or worse 🤭it’s time to activate holiday protocol. Why?

• To regulate your nervous system
• To remind yourself that your are not entirely powerless
• To take the lead in prioritizing your mental wellness

So what does the holiday protocol look like?

• Safe space location - Find a place that makes you feel relaxed that only you can go. It could be your bestie’s house or church
• Involve yourself in the safe space activities - Go help clean up the place, or set up for an upcoming event scheduled for the holidays
• When leaving home is not an option - put your headsets on, ham your favourite music
• Read a book or 3
• Find an exercise video online - download it onto your phone and move your body

Moving your body flushes your nervous system with feel good hormones and energizes you. Music and being in a safe space have the same effect, Books are awesome, cos they are like Netflix without the subscription fee and data costs.

Hang in there- the holidays are almost over. And if it ever gets too much: hit me up! Nomanini, I gotchu.