June 2021 - Holding Space

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June 2021 - Holding Space

Simply said, the idea of holding space for yourself and others is about slowing down and mindfully creating an opportunity for deep presence.

As we begin to emerge from the pandemic and all that it has wrought, it is starting to feel a little easier self-soothe and bring ourselves to a more regulated state when we're stressed. The restorative quality of summer vacation can also support the cultivation of calm and groundedness.

This month's invitation is to hold space for self-inquiry and honoring your own needs. This can take the form of checking in to see what you may need to allow into your life. It can also look like giving yourself permission to let go of whatever is no longer serving you.

May 2021 - Completing the Stress Cycle

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May 2021 - Completing the Stress Cycle

This month's theme is inspired by the book Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily and Amelia Nagoski.

While the entire book is fantastic and valuable, I was so impressed by the first section that I made it this month’s theme. First, a reminder that stress takes a physiological toll on us. When a stressor occurs, we might have an increased heart rate, or our blood pressure may go up -- you know what this is like.

What you may not realize is that we often physically “hold on” to our stress because we haven’t taken any action to complete the stress cycle and down-regulate to our homeostatic state. Here is the short list of ways to do this: physical activity, deep breathing, laughing or crying, physical affection, as well as creative expression.

For more information, read Burnout or hop in to my Mindfulness Membership, where we take a deeper dive into all this.

April 2021 - Feeling Your Feelings

March 2021 - Letting Go

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March 2021 - Letting Go

You know that feeling of lightness and joy that comes when you're at the cusp of something filled with promise? It can feel like falling in love. It can feel like the first day of a long-awaited vacation. It can feel like getting really good news instead of the bad news you were dreading.

This is what it feels like to let go.

There is a freshness to the mundane. A sense of lightness that buoys you through challenges. You feel a refreshing sense of relief that gives you strength and momentum. My invitation to you this month is to reflect on what you could let go of (even temporarily) that isn't serving you, and get a taste of this feeling.

February 2021 - Self-Compassion

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February 2021 - Self-Compassion

Cultivating self-compassion is exponentially beneficial.

When we choose to question our inner critic, we begin to dis-empower it. All of the precious energy that you might be tempted to waste on beating yourself up can instead be used more productively.

When we decide to be kind to ourselves, especially when we misstep or feel overwhelmed, that kindness is far more supportive than self-flagellation.

The invitation for this month is to offer kindness to yourself instead of criticism, and to be accepting of your human imperfections instead of judging yourself and wishing you were different.

January 2021 - New Year, New No

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January 2021 - New Year, New No

This month's theme of saying no can take many forms.

It can be the more literal interpretation of refusing to take on new, additional responsibilities that present themselves in the coming months.

It can also be about asking yourself what current obligations you can "put down" for a while (if not permanently).

It can look like saying no to doing it all on your own. Can you ask for help with tasks at home or at work? Can you ask for help by requesting people honor your boundaries?

This isn't about shirking your responsibilities. It is about choosing not to overburden yourself with things that don't fill your bucket or give you joy so that you can hold the space for what does.

December 2020 - Slowing Down

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December 2020 - Slowing Down

This is the time of year that we may find ourselves feeling more naturally inclined to slow down. Fewer hours of daylight and colder temperatures invite us to seek the comforts of hearth and home. Paradoxically, the winter holidays can make us feel that we can't slow down because there is too much to do.

Perhaps this is the December where things are simplified.

Less travel. Fewer errands. Slowing down and savoring the simple pleasures without all the pressure. This can look like taking time to be intentionally unproductive. But resting and reflecting have value. By allowing yourself moments of solitude and stillness, you are "sharpening your saw" so when the time comes, you have more energy, clarity and focus for your important work.

November 2020 - Gratitude & Savoring

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November 2020 - Gratitude & Savoring

Amidst the profound challenges associated with the worldwide pandemic, many of us have come to an unexpected realization --

We still have so much to be grateful for.

This isn't about rejecting the truth of current circumstances for a blind, pollyanna-like optimism. Instead, it is about acknowledging how difficult this all has been, and allowing this suffering to deepen our appreciation for the everyday pleasures that still remain.

As we embark on the quickly approaching holidays associated with giving thanks, my invitation to you is to let your sense of gratitude expand to include the unremarkable, and to savor the simple joys of our lives as they are right now.

October 2020 - Self-Embodiment

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October 2020 - Self-Embodiment

You know what is in your body's best interest.

There is no shortage of information available about all things healthy: rest, hydration, exercise, nutrition, etc.

We have the knowledge, but we often miss our body's signals. We're so busy, we forget to drink water. We're so drained, we can't imagine exercise. We're so stressed, we can't sleep. It is a problematic cycle that goes on until we interrupt it, which may not happen until circumstances are dire. This month's invitation is to tune in to what your body needs and do some of what we all know is good for us.

This isn't about achieving some kind of fitness or health ideal. It is about honoring the one body you're given and keeping it well so you can keep doing the important things you do in the world.