Self love

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

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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.

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Hindsight 2021 - Reading the mind of teenage me

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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.

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Process Journal: Active meditation for busy minds

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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.

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How to stop being hard on yourself as a parent

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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.

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Illuminating Stories of Color: 6 Shows to Watch Now

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Illuminating Stories of Color: 6 Shows to Watch Now

I love how so many artists are finally being given a platform, to expose all the hidden ‘isms that are somehow so much more glaring under Trump. From #MeToo to Black Lives Matter, I hope we’re on a roll that doesn’t end, until we are completely free from all pervasive systems of injustice.

I wanted to take a moment to highlight some great programs that provide beautiful insight into ugly truths:

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Beyond Mental Health: Journaling & Immunity

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Beyond Mental Health: Journaling & Immunity

Stress is an inevitable part of our lives (especially these days). To many, it may be obvious that how we handle stress, can make a big difference in our mental health. It’s perhaps less obvious, how proactive stress management, can support our physical health.

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Family's Here...to Stay: When Extended Family Moves In

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Family's Here...to Stay: When Extended Family Moves In

There are a lot of advantages to having extended family close at hand (it takes a village!), but it would be helpful to understand that it will also bring some challenges. Here are some tips for mindfully navigating a smooth transition.

1. Self-Compassion…

2. Nuclear Family Meeting…

3. Establish Ground Rules…

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Mindful Integrity: An 8 Week DIY Mindfulness Course

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Mindful Integrity: An 8 Week DIY Mindfulness Course

During times of great upheaval, there’s a sense that we should “to live today as it were your last.” This sounds really appealing, but what does it really mean?

Spiritually speaking, living each day as your last isn’t bestowing worldly possessions and checking-off bucket lists, but about holistic integrity. As Adlai Stevenson famously said, “it is not the years in your life, but the life in your years.” The following are topics of contemplation, calls to action and operating instructions for more mindful living. Try using one of these teachings a week as a focus for your meditation, as journal prompts, or for deepening conversations with loved ones.

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Therapy as Emotional Coaching

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Therapy as Emotional Coaching

One myth, stubbornly persistent in our culture, is that needing therapy means one’s mentally ill. In reality, most people seek out therapy for what I like to call emotional coaching. A holistic therapist serves as a translator between heart & mind, helping create a pause, between stimulus & response. Therapy does not have to be about what’s wrong, but about uncovering all that’s right.

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Soft Addictions: Crutches Can be Useful, Sometimes

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Soft Addictions: Crutches Can be Useful, Sometimes

Soft addictions are practices and behaviors we latch onto when we are trying to avoid unpleasant realities, painful truths, or mundane tasks. There is absolutely no shame in using a crutch when we need support, but there is harm continuing to ignore the problem at its root.