Why Comfort Counts: A Reminder to Save Time for the Basics
As we shift into the fall season, a lot of us are eager for cooler weather, warmer clothes and cozy treats. We may look forward to the festivities of the season and celebrating the opportunity to slow down and see people in our lives that we haven’t had the chance to catch up with during the busy summer season. And, I believe, we absolutely should prioritize these intentions, as they’re not just indulgence.
Working as a Family Advocate at the Life Stories Child Advocacy Center, I have the privilege of supporting children and families from all backgrounds and experiences. However, despite all of us having different stories, we can all be brought together in the fact that we need comfort, especially in times of extra stress. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs’ two base layers of the pyramid are Psychological Needs and Safety and Security. This means that we all need adequate food, water, warmth, rest, security and safety- or, to simplify it, we all need comfort before we can sustainably tackle the rest of our ambitions. And, as many of us know, it’s not as easy as it sounds to consistently maintain these things. The basics, however, are what matter the most and its often what families are most grateful for when they have an appointment with us at the Child Advocacy Center. It is such a gift to be able to connect with people where they’re at and to offer comfort in the form of a safe place to rest, with some snacks and a moment of peace, knowing a team of people are on their side and doing their best to make tomorrow a better day. Comfort is the key.
As the days get shorter, we may encounter being in the dark and feeling disconnected from what brings us comfort. It can feel like an isolating experience, so much so that it can drain the sense of comfort even quicker and make us feel even more alone. Sometimes the solution is finding and building a community to surround yourself with that brings the light and warmth back to your life. Little reminders from the connections that we make can be very impactful, make a big difference and offer comfort in ways that we don’t always expect. I personally think that we are wired for connection and keeping up on the simple things in life can be easier to manage as a team. Whether it is meeting up with friends to cook a meal together, planning a movie night to relax with the family or finding security in making time for traditions and celebrating together safely, we all have a variety of ways to experience comfort. It is also a delightful experience to learn from others about the ways that they find comfort and expand your tool belt of ideas to create comfort for yourself and others.
That all being said, I encourage everyone to lean into accepting comfort this season, in whatever way makes sense to you.
Have fun, stay safe and be well!
Respectfully submitted by Miranda Sommer, Family Advocate