“Take up space.” I’ve heard that from therapists, coaches, and even my workout videos. But I don’t. It seems that even if I wanted to, I can’t. It feels wildly uncomfortable and unsafe when I try. Maybe it’s trauma informed (okay, it IS trauma informed) and I know I’m not the only one. This is most apparent to me when I travel. I try to minimize what I need as much as possible. I am always ready to quickly and easily pack it all up. In 15 minutes or less. If I take up space, it means more time and…
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(when it feels like you can’t for all the reasons) Four years ago, I took a RYT 200 Yoga Teacher Training Course. I have never wanted to be a teacher (of anything, yoga or otherwise). Still, for some reason, I had this feeling that this was what I needed to do with my time (and $$) that summer. So I spent almost every weekend that summer in a yoga studio, taking a comprehensive yoga teacher training course. I have always loved and attempted to practice yoga and started when I was in college. Back then it was VHS. Then I…
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There is talk around me of one of those January challenges this year – actually there are plenty of them. But the one I’m talking about for this post is the movement and outside one. 2 miles outside everyday – all in one sitting. This article (really the picture) struck me years ago. Really it was the colors in the sky that pulled me. Only then did I realize that the prettiest lighting, the most jewel toned and pastel skies happen only in the winter. And I had to be outside to experience it. Over the last three years (since…
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It’s summer and hot. This is when I want nothing more than to stay inside with the fan going (and the AC turned down as much as my bank account can handle). I get my room temperature herbal tea and all my books. Not just any books. But all the books with any form of writing in them. It’s time to sort, categorize and rip. A long time ago I used to set aside a morning or an afternoon for this process. I would have so much writing spread across so many journals. Now I do it in shorter sessions…
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If only… This month is all about WHY you feel so weird and creepy when you see some of these “positive inspirational quotes” on social media or listen to a friend or co-worker quote it while trying to “coach” others through their stuff. This week’s quote: “The worst thing that can happen is a feeling.” I have heard this one A LOT. I’ve been told it. I’ve heard it said to friends and family. I’ve seen it all over. The whole “It’s just your thoughts. You are holding yourself back.” And my response is, “Well, yeah, maybe…” It is true…
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Though I mentioned that I try VERY VERY hard not to schedule things in January (or after 5 pm), I acquiesced a few weeks ago for a beginner climbing class at the gym. Things to know before reading on: Sprained my left ankle last year (and it’s still hurting), I have zero arm or grip strength (I drop things all the time), I am definitely of a bigger body and I’m not good with heights. So why did I sign up for this class? Well, four reasons – I found myself with two other beginner climbers (we were all women)…
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Thank you to Beth Kempton and the Winter Writing Sanctuary for this piece. January has me cleaning, organizing, settling things from the old year before I get into the new. (Because as far as I’m concerned, February and March actually start the New Year.) And as the dust settles from December, I notice there is SO MUCH stuff. I get nervous with too much stuff around. It piles up and all of a sudden, I have to get rid of it. All of it. More than I probably should. It’s like a light switch goes off. And I “MUST DEEP…
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Okay, I must admit, last week got kinda depressing… Maybe that’s why I’ve been avoiding writing this post, still in the doom and gloom of the last one… Start of recap: Pervasive Self-Care Myth: You deserve the *$80 lotion*, *$600 dress*, *$1,200 coffee maker*…whatever your gazingus pins are. I’m going to use lotion here for this example… Continuation of Pervasive Self-Care Myth: “Yes, you could use the $10 drugstore lotion. But isn’t it so much better (And don’t you feel so better?) when you use the pricey $80 bottle that smells like gardens and money?” Because: THINGS are just that…
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(but this time it’s not about lotion) I get anxious about a lot of things. You would never know it to look at me. And honestly, you will likely never hear me say it when it happens. But I do get it. And I do have thoughts. And these thoughts definitely tie into this (though it’s not about the lotion.) It’s about how we all still think – this + that = this result – no matter the circumstances, timing, or the MYRIAD OF MILLIONS of other factors that influence a result. I am currently in a health program –…
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Last week I talked about the myth below and how it’s bogus. Pervasive Self-Care Myth: You deserve the *$80 lotion*, *$600 dress*, *$1,200 coffee maker*…whatever your gazingus pins are. I’m going to use lotion here for this example… Continuation of Pervasive Self-Care Myth: “Yes, you could use the $10 drugstore lotion. But isn’t it so much better (And don’t you feel so better?) when you use the pricey $80 bottle that smells like gardens and money?” Because: THINGS are just that (things!) and the MAGIC is us. AND… THINGS matter. “Wait, didn’t you just say that THINGS are just THINGS…”…