Happiness

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

You can’t necessarily judge your mental health by your emotional ups and downs. Feelings are important and definitely have a lot to tell us, but they are always colored by "the stories we tell" about our experiences. Mental health is about experiencing a full range of our emotions without denying, shaming, or becoming overwhelmed. Emotions are innocent, it’s what we do with them (i.e. "act-out") that can get us in trouble.

Journaling T.I.P. for mindfulness & self-compassion

Journaling T.I.P. for mindfulness & self-compassion

Writing about how we're feeling allows us to observe and manage our feelings as they arise, instead of being knocked over by them like a tidal wave. Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, try this journaling TIP:

Take deep breaths

Identify thoughts

Practice self-compassion

5 Ways to Use Your Journal Right Now

5 Ways to Use Your Journal Right Now

Want to get started writing in your journal? Here are 5 simple, yet effective methods you can try right away.

Learning by failure: life on the edge of the comfort zone

Learning by failure: life on the edge of the comfort zone

I’ve always learned by failing, like getting lost in a new neighborhood, in order to find my way around (pre-Google maps!). But, this can come at a cost to my self-esteem, as I’m constantly in what Brene Brown calls “Fu*king First Times”.

To get me through the feelings of being a stranger in a foreign land, I’ve had to focus as much as possible of my WHY. Why did I want to make this course/book? How do I wish to change the world/give back to my community? Focusing on my why (mostly) gets me through the rusty machinations of the unknown.

My WHY : Creating and delivering inexpensive and accessible mental health tools to as many people as possible so they can take charge of their own healing.

Hindsight 2021 - Reading the mind of teenage me

Hindsight 2021 - Reading the mind of teenage me

To celebrate the beginning of the process to write a comprehensive guide to journaling for “non-journalers”, I have started a new series on Instagram celebrating entries from my very first journal, beginning back in 1987. You can watch the series unfold here while I try not to cringe.

Netflix Therapy

Netflix Therapy

10 entertaining and uplifting documentary programming available on Netflix. Sometimes, all we have room for, is a little passive relaxation. Best to watch something that will leave you feel better than it found you.

5 Ways to Relax with your Partner in 15 Minutes or Less

5 Ways to Relax with your Partner in 15 Minutes or Less

How can stressed out couples unwind together? What are some ways busy parents in particular can relax with their partner? Since many parents are on the clock what are some things that they can do? Here are 5 quick ways to connect, even if kids are in the mix!

Process Journal: Active meditation for busy minds

Process Journal: Active meditation for busy minds

What is the Process Journal?

The process journal is the dynamic cousin of your high school diary. It is a creative, effective tool for self-growth and professional development - not just a landing pad for capturing the day’s events.

What does it do?

It acts as a powerful release valve for internal pressure. Amazingly, studies have shown, that just knowing that you have access to a trusted outlet, is enough to reduce anxiety. A regular practice provides even more benefit, like illuminating deeper insights and helping halt negative patterns.

How to stop being hard on yourself as a parent

How to stop being hard on yourself as a parent

When you hear that inner mom-guilt voice whisper, "you're not good enough," here's what to say to yourself instead

Parenting is hard enough without a pandemic to navigate. We should be congratulating ourselves for just getting through the day, instead of us beating ourselves up for not measuring up to the Pinterest post next door.

We all want our child to internalize the best of us and leave the rest. That's why modeling self-love and kindness for yourself is a gift you give your child. Lead by example and you will end up raising a compassionate adult, with healthy boundaries and lots of love to give.

The Loneliness of Smartphone Addiction

The Loneliness of Smartphone Addiction

Cell phone addiction is when, instead of choosing to use our phones, they are just somehow always in our hands, glowing their electric blue promise of being the answers to our every need and desire. They create a dopamine fix of pleasure that keeps us hooked, lusting for next like, engaging text, or candy crushed.

People are addicted to social media now more than ever. We think it will fulfill the Covid sized hole in our social lives. Some connection does happen online, but more often than not, readers leave feeling deflated by how much fun Everyone Else seems to be having. Then, ironically and tragically, we stayed logged-on, scrolling for the happy thing that will bring us up again, or at least back to our baseline.