How a Personal Symbol of Strength Gets You Through the Hard Times

By Caryn Gehlmann, Clinical Aromatherapist

We’ve all heard the expression, the straw that broke the camel’s back…just one small thing, on top of everything else, was all it took. Maybe you’ve felt that way — you just can’t take any more. Surprisingly, there’s a nugget of truth in this saying that gives us hope! Just as one small thing may break us, one small thing can put us on the path to greater well-being. And for many people that becomes their personal symbol of strength. This is a powerful lesson we recently learned from one member of our community.

What’s a Personal Symbol of Strength?

When we add one small, positive thing to our lives, we can add another, then another, making a big impact over time. And when you combine these things with a personal symbol of strength, you have a powerful ally for your well-being.

People use symbols of strength to visually represent and evoke feelings of resilience, courage, and the ability to overcome challenges; it’s a reminder of personal power and perseverance through difficult situations. Think pink ribbons for Cancer Awareness Day.

One of our readers contacted us and revealed what helped her when she experienced the grief of losing a loved one. We were blown away by the simplicity of her solution. She said that wearing our bracelet with a specially calming essential oil reminded her to be patient and kind to herself as she grieved. It was her personal symbol of strength. Her comments gave us this insight:

The combination of scent, touch, and intentionality makes the bracelet more than just jewelry — it becomes a personal anchor for navigating grief with grace and strength.

e3’s lava bead bracelet infused with seasonal essential oils can provide profound emotional and sensory support during grief or emotional turmoil. Here’s a quick video showing how to use it.

Why is this aromatherapy duo so powerful?

The Bracelet – Accessible Aromatherapy Anytime

1. The lava beads on the bracelet allow you to carry a comforting aroma throughout the day, offering a sense of grounding and familiarity. When emotions are overwhelming, inhaling the aroma can provide a calming moment of respite.
2. The small charm (just breath, love & peace, hope, or dreamer) provides a gentle reminder to take a moment to calm, quiet, comfort, and reset to a positive state of being.
3. The gemstones carry their own supportive energy and properties.

The physical presence of the bracelet can act as a tactile reminder to ground yourself when feelings consume you. Touching the beads while taking deep breaths can help you stay present and mindful.

The Essential Oil Blends — Supportive, Synergetic, Seasonal 

Living attuned to the seasons is a way to encourage supportive rituals for each season of our lives. (Not necessarily calendar seasons, but seasons we go through — retirement, grief, divorce, moving, buying your first home, starting a new career, first child, etc.)

Having a ritual for each “season” lets us celebrate the good times and bear up with grace through the hard times. It makes it more likely that we’ll prioritize our well-being.

For example: grief is like a cold winter— a season where we need to slow down, warm and nourish ourselves, and patiently prepare for “spring” to come. As you read through the descriptions of each seasonal blend, which gives you a moment of “ahhhh that’s the one for me!”?

Make Your Symbol of Strength More Powerful — Rituals

Rituals — actions and thoughts you practice regularly and with intention — are particularly healing during grief or times when you feel like you’ve lost control. Ritual creates structure and meaning during times of emotional upheaval. Intense emotions like grief often impact our breathing, making it shallow or erratic, so you’ll notice that these three rituals focus on deep breathing:

• Every morning, choose an oil, take a few deep breaths as you apply it to the bracelet, and set an intention for the day (e.g., “I will allow myself grace” or “I honor my loved one”).
• During the day, read the charm and hold it as you inhale the seasonal blend aroma. This can calm frayed nerves, reduce stress, and keep you grounded.
• Before bed, hold the bracelet to your nose, inhale deeply for a count of 4, hold for 4, and exhale for 6. Bring to mind three things you’re grateful for, then drift off to sleep, holding this gratitude in your heart.

Whatever you choose as your symbol of strength, remember to combine it with aromatherapy. You’ll reinforce the idea that you are supported — by the memories of your loved one, your inner strength, and the tools you’ve chosen for healing. We invite you to sign up for e3’s Free Aromatherapy Newsletter and get more life-affirming reminders in your inbox.