An Integrated Experience

A simple reminder as we move towards the election tomorrow. If you or someone you are speaking with is feeling stressed, anxious or simply out of sorts over the next few days, be kind.

Self compassion, media breaks, time outs, deep breaths, a hug, listening to someone, validating their experience (not the same as agreeing) can all go a long way to moving through hard emotions.

May you move forward with more ease than anything else.

I often talk about finding ways to focus. 🤓

Here is me .. taking my own advice and taking a "field trip" to the library on this hot day. What I thought would take me 2+ hours to work through was completed in just a half hour in a nicely air-conditioned space on this very warm fall day. 🎉

How do you stay focused?

When a client feels stuck in a situation, unable to move or change. Only able to focus on the things that are outside of their control, I like to ask a simple question.

"What can you do?".

Often the first answer that comes back is "nothing".

But after that doorways open and we can look for what is possible.

A perspective shift, an action that wasn't seen before, a person who may have some wisdom to offer.

There is always possibility. It sometimes takes a zoom out to see it so that you can show up the way you want to feeling empowered and able to make a choice, a decision or take an action that you didn't see at first.

You got this.

Sometimes a change in scenery helps creativity/productivity.

If you are finding yourself stuck a change of place can help.

My secret spot is a library. Something about the light and the smell of books helps me focus in.

I can set aside the pressing to-do list and focus on one or two tasks to knock out without interruption.

I know others that love cafe's or restaurants for this reason, rent studio spaces, offices or in nicer weather find a space outdoors.

What works for you?

This morning the youngest handed me a ziplock full of thank you notes from classmates for being a chaperone on a recent field trip.

What a great way to kick off a day. My heart is full. ♥️

Tip Tuesday is coming today at noon PST.

I'll be sharing my favorite tool for getting UNSTUCK. It's simple. And simple isn't always easy, but can lead you to great places!

Join me inside LESS STRESS MORE YOU!

Today 3/8 is International Women's Day.

I encourage today that you take a moment to thank the women in your life who have led, supported, nurtured, and loved you.

While our wage gap is closing as of March 2024 women are earning .84 to each dollar a man earns while carrying 56.8% of the workforce (2022).

I am so fortunate to have had the pleasure of learning from many different women in my life. Mothers, Teachers, Leaders, Friends, and Peers.

Thank you for all you do. Today and every day. I am inspired by witnessing you succeed, persevere, and lead in the big and little ways you show up each day.

I used to write often in the mornings and am returning to this practice. New blog up today on my website. Sharing with you all.

Focus and Ritual

It's raining today.

Again.

I don't mind it at all. I completed my early morning workout, sat with the kids for breakfast, gave into the weather and drove to school instead of walking, and granted myself a bit of time before readying for my day's work.

It is a lighter day today after 2 very full ones.

I'm sitting in soaking in the quiet. The sound of the rain on my window and the occasional splash of a car passing by.

My to-do list is long, but it can wait a bit longer.

My thoughts have turned inward. Toward self-care. The time and energy I'm putting into healing and strengthening my body. My energy level. My wants. A thought of care for my family comes in as I think. Is what I provide enough for each of them? What else can I do, be? I gentle that thought with the reminder that having it most likely means I am already doing these things, knowing that the journey is always moving. We are always growing, changing, and evolving into who we will become. I return to my thoughts.

I light a candle. It is a return to a daily ritual. For me, it is a reminder that I am here, that I am light and a wish to provide that reminder and support for the people around me. It helps me stay focused as I meet with clients walking through all types of change.

It is a simple ritual. Most are simple and often we overlook them. For me, they are the parts of the day that ground us back into ourselves. Especially important as the world changes quickly these days. It is as simple as routinely making your bed when you rise, methodically measuring the grounds for your coffee, and always saying I love you before a goodbye. Infusing intention with the routine elevates it from the mundane to magical.

And with the candle lit I breathe into it, cupping the container to feel its warmth and I am ready. Focused. To serve you and myself as we grow together.

Happy New Year!

How's it starting for you?

While the adult humans in our house were happy to reconnect and get going today, the furry co-worker was not.

I heard a weird noise near the bed and turned in time to catch Arlo peeping up from his hiding spot behind the pillows.

😂

Noticing today those things we don't ourselves.

It can be so easy to get into a downward spiral with the should have and ought tos. Our ideas around perfection and success can cause us to stumble when we have a (gasp) human moment.

We all do that. And we don't all the time.

Finding a way to become aware of it and create the space to bring in curiosity can really help us to just let it go

(Side note.... singing let it go to your self may or may not be helpful as well )

Stay curious and gentle with yourselves! Choose your next thought in support of who you are and who you are becoming!

There is a lot going on in the world.

There always is, and yet sometimes it feels more. Heavier. Closer to home.

In these times remember to come back to you. Your present. Breathe deeply. Offer yourself a word of gratitude for coming this far. Find just a moment of stillness, peace.

Once stilled, return to the world that needs you.

You make a difference every day. Remember to take just a minute or two for you so you can continue. ✨❤️

Have you ever had that moment where you realize you are annoyed or angry and don't quite know why?

Chances are something could be rubbing up against your values.

So what to do with that??

✅ Jump into Less Stress More You today at noon PST and I'll be sharing more in this weeks Tip Tuesday!

(Pic of Dora who values being attended to, and wasn't getting it)

*Link in comments*

Ever find yourself in the middle of the work day and feeling a bit out of sorts?

You know you need to bring your best into that next meeting, but you really need a break?

I've been there. So I captured a list of things you can do in 5 minutes or less to get clear.

I'm reviewing my guide Quick Tips for Reset today at noon PST in my group Less Stress More You.

Join us! (See link in comments)

Ps.... can't make it live? That's ok! The replay will be pinned in the group 🌟

It's often funny how insight works.

I was pondering this morning about the old saying "I can make something out of nothing" and while I guess it can be viewed from many contexts, to me it's really not true.

See You CAN make something out of nothing but you have to THINK of making something first. It all starts with awareness and an idea.

Fast forward to not only an hour later and my daughter was sharing about something she can do as we talked about what how creative she is. She said, "It's pretty easy Mom, I think it, then I create it" .

I agree.

And yet-as adults we often make it much more complicated than that-by allowing thoughts and "what ifs" to get in our way.

What if you took that great idea you've been carrying with you and dropped everything around it? What would it take for you to take one step toward it--even if you don't know how you'll finish?

What is it costing you not to?

**If you want more inspiration on the journey for doing your thing (whatever that is) I'll recommend this. A book. Not just any book, but a magical Children's book. It's short, sweet, illustrated and makes this point so well for children and adults alike. "What Do You Do With An Idea" By Kobi Yamada . **

When it's cold out even half ferals want to get cozy. (He tucked himself under the pillow)

Wishing you gratitude and clarity aplenty on this Valentine's day.

Implementing a gratitude practice was a key for me to reduce overwhelm and build clarity. It started the mental shift for me where all I saw was lack to a space where the first thing I see now is abundance.

It does this dance subtly over time for most and my hope is that you are finding ways to cultivate this in your life. It's one of the keys to feeling as successful as you are.

There is a "should" somewhere in your life. Think through your task list today and I'm certain you will find one.

My encouragement today is to locate one and think through transforming that. How can you let it go? How can you shift it to something you "get" to do or be?

If you can't--how can you make peace with this should and get it done so you can move forward.

Committing to releasing the shoulds of our lives sounds simple, but often takes honest assessment and a bit of courage to do.

I see you. I know you can do this. On the other side of "Should" is a lighter you.