Tag: insomnia recovery

  • The Next Layer of Healing: From Liver to Lungs to Letting Go

    The Next Layer of Healing: From Liver to Lungs to Letting Go

    Hey hi hello! Happy Saturday, everyone! 💜

    Unfortunately, I am still not sleeping through the night. Although, the experience has shifted. I am no longer waking up drenched in night sweats (HOORAY! 🙌) — but now, instead of 3 AM, my body stirs at 4:45 AM.

    At first, I chalked it up to the time change and my system still adjusting to my new sleep rhythm. But when it continued, I got curious — and looked into what that time means through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

    🌬️ The 4:45 AM Connection — Lung Time

    According to the TCM body clock, 4:45 AM falls within the Lung time, which governs breath, grief, letting go, and renewal.

    So what does that mean for me? It’s actually a good sign.
    It means my liver is no longer stagnant — the focus has now shifted to my lungs for deeper processing and emotional release. The energy is moving, evolving, and finding balance.

    It feels like progress — slow, steady, sacred progress. ✨

    🍃 What I’m Doing to Support My Lungs

    I asked ChatGPT to help me map out a gentle plan to support lung qi, and here’s what I’m incorporating this week:

    🌿 Herbal Support

    • Continue nightly tea (peppermint + milk thistle + dandelion root) for liver support
    • Add morning peppermint tea to open and nourish the lung channel

    🌸 Breathwork

    • Gentle breathing exercises when I wake up at night
    • Deep, slow inhalations through the nose; soft, extended exhales through the mouth

    ☕ Nourishment

    • More bone broth, oats, and warm lemon water for moisture and warmth
    • Soothing, comforting foods to nurture lung energy

    💫 Movement + Ritual

    • Upper-body stretching morning and night to open the chest
    • Rubbing castor oil + peppermint essential oil on my chest before bed (using an old shirt or castor oil pack because castor oil stains!)

    While I’d love a full, uninterrupted night of sleep, I’m also proud of how attuned I’m becoming to my body — learning its signals, honoring its wisdom, and celebrating each new layer of healing. 🌙

    🕊️ Healing, One Step at a Time

    This journey has transformed every part of me — physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. Each small shift feels like a new chapter opening.

    On Thursday, I reached out to a therapist whose profile deeply resonated with me — and within hours, I was on a consultation call with her. We talked about trauma, healing goals, and approaches to therapy, and the connection felt instantaneous.

    By the end of our call, I cried — not out of fear, but out of relief. Because for the first time in a long while, I felt truly seen and understood.
    It just felt right.

    Now I’m scheduled for my first appointment on Tuesday, and I couldn’t be more excited to continue this healing process with her guidance.

    I know that I’m doing a pretty great job with everything I’ve been doing on my own, but I also know I can only go so far solo. I need support, coaching, and encouragement for the moments when things get heavy again. So I used the positive momentum I’m riding now to take care of the future version of me who might not have the energy to ask for help when she really needs it. 💫

    💖 Following My Intuition

    Over the past few months, I’ve made so many intuitive decisions that have reshaped my life:

    • Chiropractic Care: I reached out expecting a wait — instead, I got in the very next day. Now I go three times a week, and my body feels significantly better. My chest feels more open; I literally feel like I can breathe easier. 🌟
    • Boudoir Photoshoot: A long-time dream I finally said yes to. I found the perfect photographer, booked the shoot, and every step of the process has felt like my gut saying, “Yes. This is for you.” 💃
    • Therapy: I decided to find support now, while I’m doing better, so I’m prepared for the harder moments ahead. I did my research, found someone who checked all the boxes, reached out, and she was able to speak to me that very day. 🧠💜

    Every time I show up for myself, the universe meets me halfway.

    🌞 My Daily Reminder

    Each morning, after my Morning Pages, I write this affirmation:

    “If I keep showing up, life will reward me.” 💫

    And it’s proving true, over and over again.

    I’m learning that showing up for yourself — even when it’s hard, even when it’s quiet — is the most powerful spell you can cast.

    Life really does reward those who keep choosing to heal. 🌿

    🌷 If these words brought you comfort, consider sharing them with a friend who might need them too. Subscribe below to stay connected — we’re healing, growing, and showing up together. 💫

    Love always, Bailz 💜

  • 🌀 A Spine-Tingling Update (Literally)

    🌀 A Spine-Tingling Update (Literally)

    Well, I had my follow-up with the chiropractor this afternoon, and MAN is my spine jacked up, y’all! My hips are rotated in ways they should not be, my mid-back is all kinds of tight, and I have some scoliosis in the top part of my spine and neck. Seeing the scans and X-rays definitely got me in my feels.

    I knew it was bad—bad enough to seek help—but I didn’t think it was that bad. Still, after hearing Dr. Lauren explain everything, it all makes sense. A lot of the things I’ve struggled with can be symptoms of a misaligned spine: difficulty sleeping, depression, focus and memory issues, anxiety and stress, allergies and congestion, even ADHD. Crazy, right?

    🌿 The Plan

    We’ve created a 90-day treatment plan, and I’ll be going three days a week for adjustments. Every 30 days, we’ll redo the scans to track progress and fine-tune as needed. I got my first adjustment today—my first in a long time—and oh my goodness, it felt amazing. Especially my neck! It was all kinds of snap, crackle, and pop. She told me to expect some emotional release afterward… and she wasn’t kidding. I cried almost my entire drive home. It felt like a dam finally breaking.

    🧘‍♀️ Movement & Mindfulness

    Before my appointment, I did a short Yoga with Adriene practice to center myself and stretch out. After I got home from my appointment, I hopped on the walk pad—but I changed up my approach. Instead of my usual 45 minutes, I walked for 20 minutes at a slow, steady pace. I wanted to move my body gently today, and that’s exactly what I did.

    Now, as I’m writing this, I’m feeling sore and tired, so the rest of my day is all about gentleness and rest. My plan? Cozy clothes, dogs on the couch, and a good book or two.

    📚 My Healing Companions

    I’m currently reading The Artist’s Way, How to Do the Work, and The Body Keeps the Score—a powerhouse trio for healing the mind, body, and spirit.

    💤 The Ongoing Battle with Sleep

    I’m still really struggling with sleep. Falling asleep feels impossible some nights, and when I finally do, I wake up drenched in sweat—like full wardrobe-change, move-to-another-spot-on-the-bed levels of sweat. It’s exhausting, and I know my lack of rest is affecting everything else. I’m hopeful that with continued chiropractic care and the other work I’m doing, I’ll start seeing some improvement soon.

    💜 The Gentle Reminder

    I’m proud of myself for sticking to my goals—but I’m also proud of myself for listening to my body. Yesterday, I wanted to walk and do yoga, but my body said, “Nope, not today.” So instead, I rested and read, and that was the right call. That’s growth, too.

    I’m not at 100% yet, and that’s okay. I’m still in recovery, and healing takes time. I’m learning that giving myself grace is part of the work. I have a plan, a path, and patience—and that’s enough for today.

    As always, thank you for being here. I am so grateful for you. 💜

    Love always,
    Bailz


    ✨ If you’ve been on your own healing journey too, I’d love for you to come along with me. Subscribe below to get new posts straight to your inbox — no algorithms, just authentic connection. 💜