I like the list that follows (from a Berkley therapist). But I don’t believe it happens in a vacuum. Let your emotional work be there, under what you chose to do with your hands.

Do things each day; Occupy yourself with small things that matter, that advance you, that please you, whether they ‘work’ or ‘fail’ in the moment. They might be momentous accomplishments. Or they may be ‘small’ things. You decide: whittle wood, accept a job, feed the fish, cook supper, read a book, go eat the ice cream at the new library, throw a softball with your family….

And in the background be quietly aware of letting the following happen:

I was reminded of this at the Dr. Ruth Lanius conference in recent past days. Strength-based, she kept reminding clinicians to listen to their clients’ experience and self-knowledge.  The digital story-telling was just a comment, but I was reminded of having heard of it before – something that can ground us in our creativity while feeling the power of our voice. Our stories matter; no matter how we tell them: