Recently, I went on a fantastic trip to small village in Norway. My time there was blissful. I felt the noise of daily life just fall away, and I was left with a deep centered peace that permeated my entire being. Coming back home was a shock to my senses – the demands of running a business, the current political climate in the United States, household stressors, and what felt like an endless string of gray days was a heavy blanket thrown on top of my lighthearted spirit.
Everyone around me was carrying on as usual, stressing, hustling & bustling, go, go, going, and every part of my being was screaming “STOP THE INSANITY.”
Grieving the death of a pet can bring on similar feelings of being out of sync with the world around you. Sometimes it’s as if you’re moving in slow motion and everything and everyone else is continuing at a fast past. It can feel like you’re being left behind, forgotten. Or perhaps it feels a bit like being in a haze while everyone else is just going with the flow.
If this sounds familiar and you’re desiring respite, consider this easy practical act of self-care: a comfort day.
What is a comfort day?
Simply put it’s a day that envelopes you in self-care and kindness. It feels like a hug in the form of an entire day!
My Comfort Day Blueprint
Here’s what a comfort day looks like for me:
- Wake up and apply a hydrating face mask or under eye patches.
- Read a favorite or current book while enjoying breakfast.
- Go for a walk outside.
- Take a luxurious bath with a favorite Epsom salt blend.
- Enjoy a hot cup of lavender mint tea.
- Listen to a guided meditation on Insight Timer.
- Eat a fresh salad while listening to classical music.
- Take a nap in a sunny part of the house.
- Stroll through the garden and listen to the birds.
- Enjoy a favorite meal for dinner and then tuck in early & read.
Planning Your Comfort Day
For me, non-negotiables on a comfort day are: no scheduled events, intentional distance from my phone, comfortable clothes (usually Lake pajamas), and only practice activities that fill my cup.
A comfort day can take place during the week when you schedule a day off work, or it can take place on the weekend. If you have other people in the house, you can plan a day that you can be home alone if that feels best to you. This is your day, plan it around what feels best to you. The goal of the comfort day is to provide yourself opportunities to soothe overwhelm and regulate your nervous system so that your body and mind move towards wellness.
When you need it, I hope you’ll implement this wellness and care strategy, offering yourself the comforts you absolutely deserve. Remember, seeking pet loss support during a difficult time is a gentle act of self-compassion.
Comfort & Care,
Annie Ballantine
P.S. Another way to find comfort is with the Biscuit and Bertie Comfort Box. This beautiful gift includes thirty Grief Support Cards that affirm your feelings, help you process your emotions, and recount fond memories.
