Step 1, con't

Note: some changes made in August with Persephone.

So, I spent a couple of days on The Roadmap to Self-regulation at autismspeaks, which really got me thinking about sensory issues and giving myself a sensory break when needed, but I wasn't sure how to put it into practice.

I've now found the 4 Zones of Regulation (which I had used before in the childcare field) and the 5-point scale of self-regulation. 

Color-coded zones with visual cues feels really doable for me. I'm thinking of doing a rainbow scale in this tree:

The scale would go something like this:

Level 5. Red -  Artemis outburst, destruction, regret, guilt, shame, consequences. Hecate, a friend and cousin to Artemis, keeps a safe place (in the house or a plan for when out and about) where Artemis can rage safely. Hecate and her dogs guard the boundaries and prevent anything from getting past them, for the safety and comfort of Artemis and others. A change from something to fear to somewhere protected and safe.

Red Image: etsy, medusa

Hecate Image: Carolina Mylius, cover art for book Duesas Negras by Eddie Van Feu.

Level 4. Orange -  Artemis is overwhelmed, Kali steps in to force me to deal with the problem. This picture of Kali shows her riding a lion, a symbol of power and anger, something that she can help control. Shiva, her consort, is under her foot. Kali had been rampaging out of control, finally he put himself in her way. She started to calm down once she noticed that she was hurting him, her tongue is out as an expression of her embarrassment and remorse. Kali's presence means she is forcing me to face what is happening and to do something about it, instead of ignoring it. The more I ignored Artemis's struggles, the more desperate I became and I made desperate decisions. Ignoring her distress hurt me and everyone around me. 

Kali Image: internet

Artemis Image: Tammy Wagner, etsy.com. Check out her work, it is amazing!!

Level 3. Yellow - Artemis Struggles, Adult Persephone comes in to help. In mythology, Artemis and Persephone are besties. Here, they support each other to help me deal with stress. Artemis is not left alone and ignored while she struggles to control the dogs. Strategies are implemented, this time they include lots of de-escalation techniques at this early level, instead of waiting until I'm overwhelmed.

Image: sisterhood, pamela mathews, grail.co.nz

Level 2. Green - Artemis living her best life. Doing self care, in control of the dogs (emotions), connected with others, social, healthy. Independent, confident, helpful.

Image: internet

Level 1. light greenish blue - sick, tired, etc. Adult Persephone, Artemis together. Artemis comes in to help out her friend Persephone. To be with her, make sure she is doing her self-care and getting rest.

Image: Elena Kukanova

Level 0. Navy blue - Persephone in the underworld, disengaged. This time, she is not dragged there screaming, in terror at being trapped. She is not there to wrest control away from Artemis, as Artemis destroys their world. She is there to stay safe, and to use the down time to think. As Queen of the Underworld, she can come back whenever she wants to. As Queen, she masters her fears (Cerberus) and is not trapped behind the gates of Hell. Mahadevi Kali is here to keep Persephone safe, remind her not to ignore Artemis, and to remind her that she has mastery over my fears. This is not a place to fear, it is a place to be safe and rest before heading back into the struggle.

Persephone

Level minus 1. Deep Purple - Click on the link under the picture of Persephone. Persephone has given up. But as Queen of the Underworld, she will not truly die. As she recovers, Hecate, a friend and cousin, has come to be with her and will guide her out of Hell when she is ready. This is no longer a place to fear, but a place with love, support, and time to heal. 

'Be comforted, for I have come to guide you through the dark.' says Hecate.

Hecate Image: Iren Horrors, https://www.deviantart.com/irenhorrors/art/Hecate-848171076

Persephone Image: Mary Metzger

I have had another appointment with Donna, and we talked about how I would hang by fingertips, trying desperately to hang on, to not drown in the pit. She suggested that I gently let go and come to rest in a good place, not a scary place. So as you can see above, I am changing my internal story from one of fear, to one of comfort and safety and rest.

Now to fill in the blanks - what will I do in each of the rainbow zones?