I shared the other day that I’m working through some of my own more challenging life experiences. For a long time, I just pushed it all aside and got on with things — and sure, that can work for a while — but eventually those suppressed feelings and experiences make their way to the surface and demand attention.
One of the most common things I hear in clinic is that people keep themselves busy with work, hobbies, and kids — filling every spare moment so they don’t have to sit with their feelings. It’s a common coping strategy, but it can mean we never give ourselves the time or space we truly need.
I’m not sure if you and I have worked together yet, but I’ll admit something — I often find it hard to sit still, too. Movement helps me process my emotions: I like to run, ride my bike, and dance with the kids. But lately, I’ve realised those activities have sometimes been more about distraction than about actually sitting with what’s coming up.
Last week, my four-year-old was picking at her fingers so much she ran out of the little “picky things” (I don’t know their proper name — they’re silicone discs with beads in them, available at Kmart). So, we decided to make our own. We made jelly playdough that we could stick beads and bits into — basically a reusable fidget.
We got everything ready, made the dough, and wow — the texture was incredible. I’d forgotten how good that recipe is. The smell was lovely, too. We sat for at least an hour squishing, squelching, and smoothing the dough — hands busy, minds calm, fully present with ourselves and each other.
I’d forgotten how relaxing it is to simply sit and play with playdough. It was a beautiful sensory pause and a little call to mindfulness: slowing down, being with my kids, and being with myself.
The more I sit with people in clinic, the more I notice how often I encourage others to tune in to themselves — to slow down, explore their feelings, and get curious about the root causes. And yet, I so often find myself keeping busy to avoid my own feelings.
How’s that for honesty? There have been times I’ve done this really well — sitting with my feelings, processing them, exploring thoughts and memories — and other times life has felt too busy. But right now, as I work through some of my earlier life experiences, I feel called to slow down, savour the little moments, and use mindfulness techniques as tools. The bonus? I can share them with my kids.
A few of you asked for the recipe we used, so I’ve written it up in this short blog post. My hope is that it encourages you in your own journey — whether that’s parenting, healing, or simply connecting more deeply with yourself and your emotions. Credit for the recipe goes to the wonderful blogger Little Bins for Little Hands — but I couldn’t resist putting it in my business colours.
Let me know how you find it, and if you enjoy it as much as we do in our household.
xx Corinne
