We're Reopening.
Are You Ready?
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In this issue:
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BOUNDARIES: do we really need to set them?
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ADVOCATING: the benefits it brings
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ENGAGING others
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BOUNDARIES
It seems like the word has become more present, prevalent, even popular? Are they important? Honestly, do we need them?
What we learned as we all huddled at home, worked from home, and did everything from home we rapidly realized that everything could blend and that the hours all melded into each other and we learned that boundaries for most became difficult. Work and when to begin and end the day, answer the phone, and allow everyone access into your home with video conferencing. For goodness sake, raise your hand if you were caught off guard while on video.
My answer to boundaries being important is yes, with the understanding that setting boundaries can be complex. It is not to say we should not carry out our responsibilities, but it is to say that when we feel stretched too thin, we take a minute, look around and understand where and how to step back or take a beat.
We need to care for ourselves.
As we move towards opening the world again and our COVID stay at home is relaxed, especially for those who are vaccinated, our schedules and routines will probably shift or are shifting again, along with our concerns.
Setting boundaries can feel like you are not doing all you can do but consider setting boundaries can allow us to:⠀
➡ care for ourselves⠀
➡ help us grown⠀
➡ shows strength⠀
➡ feel pride⠀
➡ demonstrate self-esteem⠀
➡ care for ourselves It can help us avoid becoming:
- resentful ⠀
- angry ⠀
- imposed upon⠀
Boundaries can help us feel positive and help us avoid getting stretched too thin.
When you think your limits are being pushed, go for a walk, take a breath, gain some perspective and understand the best way to proceed.
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ADVOCATE
using your voice & being heard
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Advocating
it’s not protesting – it’s using your voice; it’s heard.
One of the best ways to care for yourself is by being your own advocate.
Being heard, being understood, and getting your point across is essential to feel recognized and confident. I’m breaking this down in a way that impacts your personal life and can be expanded to the world at large.
On a large scale or individual level, consider using your voice for what’s important to you. It can be big or small, what you want for dinner or feeding the hungry. Consider ways in which your voice can be heard?
👉 First, identify what you want,
👉 second, understand what you need and how you feel about the issue.
👉 Second, know what you are thinking and why this is important to you.
👉 Know who you want to communicate with (one person or the world).
👉 Plan how you will provide your message to others.
As a little exercise to contemplate, consider all the times you have spoken up for something you thought was not just or right (someone being rude, an incorrect bill, a medical test, a promotion, a candidate running for office). Think about what it took and how it felt. Now, image planning or it
Advocating is empowering; it can cause a bit of anxiety while also being exhilarating. Advocating lets you know you did not sit on the sideline; you took action for something that touched you.
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My Advocacy efforts have been focusing on Normalizing Third Party Reproduction. The goal of this effort is for everyone to feel comfortable in how they were conceived. Starting with the medical community, the request is that the question of donor or adoption is added to the medical intake process and form allowing for the conversation and improved health outcomes both medically and physically. A series of Instagram lives have been held, a petition put forth, a webinar held, and a letter-writing campaign underway. We need everyone’s voice to make this happen. Please go to my 3rd Party Reproduction web page or Instagram page instagram page @lorimetzlcsw.
A special thank you to all those who have helped to move Normalizing Third-Party Reproduction forward. Some of those who have participated in Instagram Lives and webinare include; @camilleguaty @jennjaypal @drserenahchen @resolveorg @donor.concierge @thecenterforfamilybuilding @gostorky @risaalevine @drtiajacksonbey @jpmfertilitylaw @familyinceptions @artcompassivf @fertilitybooks
The next webinar is scheduled for early Nov and focusing on the parent and donor conceived person, Instagram Lives are ongoing.
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Quick tip on engaging others, a simple tip to try - a simple smile and verbal or nonverbally- can show and elicit warmth.
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LIFE discusses ways of coping with life, the emphasis on moving forward and enjoying.
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We've been talking about:
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The COVID-19 Vaccine & Fertility with Dr. Serena Chen, MD, Director for the Division of Reproductive Medicine at IRMS, (to listen please click here )
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Donor conception, the impact emotionally, and more with Dr. Lauren Berman, Ph.D., Founder of Fertility Psychology Center of Atlanta, American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Chair of the Mental Health Professional Group, (to listen please click here )
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Integrative healthcare, conventional and holistic medicine to optimize your health with Dr. Anna Barbieri, MD, OBGYN. Founder of TaraMD, an integrative gynecology practice, (to listen please click here )
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The Male Factor, Male Infertility with Dr. Lowell Ku, MD, Reproductive Endocrinologist, board-certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and OBGY, the senior physician at Dallas IVF, and recognized by numerous organizations and publications as a top Dallas physician, (to listen please lick here)
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Solo parenthood with Mel Johnson, a solo mom, and coach, (to listen please click here)
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The COVID-19 Vaccine & Fertility—Part 2 with Dr. Serena H. Chen, MD, Director for the Division of Reproductive Medicine at IRMS (the institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science), Dept. of Reproductive OBGYN at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Clinical Assoc. Prof. Rutgers, UMDNJ Medical School, and St George’s University School of Medicine, and Resolve’s Hope Award for Advocacy 2020, (to listen please click here)
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Resolve’s Federal Advocacy Day with Jesse Fiest, AD Committee CCo-Chair, (to listen please click here)
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Resolve, The National Infertility Association, with Barbara Collura, President, and CEO, to listen please click here)
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Disparities in fertility treatment with Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey, Reproductive Endocrinologist, Fertility Specialist, (to listen please click here)
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Part 2 of the Male Factor, Male Infertility with Dr. Lowell Ku, MD, board certitude in Reproductive Endocrinology and OBGY, senior physician at Dallas IVF, (to listen please click here)
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Go Stork, a platform that allows you to “Find, Compare and Connect with Top Fertility Providers” with no costs to access with Eran Amir, founder and proud father of two, (to listen please click here)
I would like to thank everyone for listening!
Is there a specific topic you'd like to learn about? Please let me know.
all available on a YouTube too!
My most recent talks include:
A Dwelling Place, to watch
@FertilityBooks, IGL
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I Dreamed of You,
the story of an egg donor baby
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I was inspired to write this book by the work I do with so many on this journey. It was written to assists the mom in embracing her journey, becoming comfortable in telling her story of the love, caring, nurturing, and desire she gave to her child from contemplation to birth and beyond. Officially released less than a year ago, in three languages (English, Spanish, Mandarin) it is now available where ever you buy your books online (including Target), and in a NYC book store too!
I am excited, humbled, honored to provide you with this update and happy to announce that currently,
all proceeds will be going towards the
Let's Normalize Third Party Reproduction initiative.
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If there is something you would like to hear about please reach and let me know. |
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I encourage everyone to take time to care for themselves, in their own way.
We are always told we have to care for ourselves before we can care for others,
please try to incorporate this practice into your life.
(for more information on the benefits & practice of self care please follow me on Instagram @lori.mm)
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Tele-Mental-Health for
Individuals, Couples and
Support Groups continue.
as reminder I'm board certified in tele-mental-health since 2018
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Fertility Groups on-line
- Intended parents of children being born through donor egg, sperm, embryo & surrogacy.
- Born through donor egg, sperm, embryo & surrogacy
- Fertility support group forming in January
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for more information please contact lori at lori@lorimetz.net or 917.655.9776 |
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