Fall has finally hit here in Charlotte, and among other changes darkness has started to come a little earlier in the day. I offer evening appointments a few days a week, and the other night I was packing up and locking doors, and I noticed that I was the last one in the building. As I was locking the outside door and heading to my car, I became acutely aware of the dark and that I was alone…in a dark parking lot. At that moment, I did something I’ve done before…I positioned my keys between my fingers, and checked my car before I unlocked it and got in. I was on high alert.
I’ve reflected on that night a lot in the past few days. At some point I learned this tactic as a safety tip. This instance stands out to me, partly because that isn’t a regular part of my routine anymore. Lots of us have routines and practices that help us feel safe and comfortable in our environment. Those routines are important; however it just happens that those haven’t been mine for awhile. So, why now was I going back to what I learned years ago?
Enter #MeToo.
Most of us have seen #MeToo on social media or heard about it on the news. Many have credited Alyssa Milano’s call to action in response to the Harvey Weinstein scandal with the #MeToo movement. It actually started over 10 years ago by Taran Burke, a sexual assault survivor. Ms. Burke started the movement in 2006 in an effort to raise awareness about sexual violence, particularly against women of color (read more about Ms. Burke).
Raising awareness and reminding us of what 50% of our population experiences is obviously valuable. But, it’s also important to recognize the impact of this awareness. Whether we see #MeYoo as a part of our story or not, it makes sense that a movement like this might be both empowering and uncomfortable. It’s important for us to acknowledge these moments as possible trigger moments for us. You might find yourself on high alert, experience changes in your mood, sleep or appetite, or just feel more vulnerable.
I’m always a supporter of women telling their stories and breaking the silence around violence and sexism. I’m also always a supporter of women taking care of themselves. When we’re under stress, it’s always helpful to return to the basics: make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eat enough food (especially nutrient dense food), connect with others, exercise, set and maintain healthy boundaries. And, if those things aren’t working or aren’t enough feel free to reach out.
We have the capacity to experience more than one emotion at the same time. For now, we can do what we need to take care of ourselves, but we can also send out an “I hear you, and I see you, and I believe you” to each and every brave woman saying #MeToo.
