Blog
Enjoy mental health musings, insights, tips and tools for this wild ride we call life.
Thanks for being here!
Some of the Best Advice I've Ever Received
It was my seventh grade year and my English teacher assigned my first BIG essay. I had a vague idea where I wanted to go with it, but I was STUCK. I didn’t know how to start, what to say, or how to spell most words. And I especially didn't know how to move past the paralysis. Then, a family friend shared some key advice that I've used ever since.
Have You Taken Your M.E.D.S.
As we move through Mental Health Awareness Month, I thought I'd share one of my favorite tools for checking in around my HEALTH. And by health, I mean all the "healths," physical health, mental health, spiritual health, sexual health, emotional health. Because let's face it, they ALL impact one another and they all make up HEALTH. Our culture often thinks of physical health from the neck down and mental health from the neck up. But isn't your head apart of your body?
What's Up With Your Nervous System?
Do you ever feel in awe of the human body? I sure do! In the blink of an eye, if it senses danger, it increases your heart rate, oxygen intake, and body temperature. It instantly produces chemicals, hormones, tenses muscles, decreases your metabolism, AND shuts off part of your brain. It does this to prepare to fight an attacker, run away, or freeze until it's safe. Just by thinking a simple thought the body automatically fires off those messages.
Why I Don't Do Self-Care, and Why You Shouldn't Either.
If you google the term self-care, you'll receive over 4 billion responses. It seems to be viewed as the cure-all for almost every ailment. But if you ask anyone who is exhausted, burned out, anxious or depressed if they’ve tried adding more self-care to their life, it might take everything in their power to NOT smack you.
How Do You Make Hard Choices?
One year ago my life changed dramatically. I said yes to the adventure of a lifetime; living on the road, in a 22 foot long Sprinter van with my partner. And this weekend, on the one year anniversary of this journey, things changed. We made a new choice. One that is scary, unsure and empowering.
Don't Let Fear Overshadow Your Dreams
Last year, I was working with a coach who asked me, “What would you do if your memoir was already published?” And I knew the answer immediately!
What is Weird, Free and Releases Pent-up Emotions?
Let me ask… what is weird, free, and releases pent up emotions? The answer: BREATHWORK! But what exactly is breathwork?? Before I explain, let me see if you can relate to some of the challenges I've experienced over the years.
Why I couldn't Meditation for Years
I get a lot of questions about meditation from my clients. And it makes sense. Ask anyone these days if they think meditation is good for them and most of the time you'll hear a resounding YES. But, ask if they meditate and you'll hear all sorts of reasons why they don't.
New Year, New You? I Call BS
Has anyone else felt like this year is off to a SLOW start? 🙋🏻♀️ Maybe it's that we started the year with Mars in Retrograde, or maybe it was the INSANE weather we faced here in Sacramento. Or maybe that's just what I like to tell myself. 😂
Do You Feel Like an Animal in a Cage?
Have you ever had one of those thoughts that feels so automatic and natural you don’t even question it? You just ASSUME it's true. The thought makes sense, maybe there's data to back it up, so you continue on.
How To Self-Soothe
My mom sent me this picture yesterday. I was in 7th grade and it was probably a school day. Not so fun fact: I started refusing to go to school in 4th grade. It was a daily battle until my mom started bribing me with Starbucks.
What's Been Good About This Year?
One year ago next week, I registered for arguably the second-most influential investment for my life so far. The month prior, my sister-in-law had sent me a newsletter from a friend of hers who helps women write their memoirs. And I was DESPERATE for guidance in that department.
We're All Basically Appliances.
My first thought when I saw the above sign on an electric cart at the grocery store was, “I NEED one of those!” Imagine, what if we all had a sign to wear when we needed to recharge? 🪫
What's Your Morning Routine?
What’s your morning routine? We all have one. Hitting snooze on the alarm 5x is a routine, rushing out the door, grabbing coffee to go, these are all routines, but they might be UNINTENTIONAL routines. But are there INTENTIONAL routines that you want?
The Happiest (or Hardest) Time of the Year
The weather is turning, boots are out and the holidays have officially started! At this point, we’ve survived Thanksgiving and have one month to go. So, this is your check-in… How’s your MINDSET? How are you FEELING?
What Does Your Intuition Say?
Recently, the topic of intuition has been popping up in conversations. Does it exist? Do only some people have it? Is it a mystical force outside yourself? Or is it based on your subconscious and past experiences? All great questions and all kinda unknown! At least to the average person.
Feelings, Feelings, Feelings!
Feelings, feelings, feelings! Sometimes when I’m overwhelmed with emotions, I actually don’t feel anything at all. Shutting down and numbing out is a defense mechanism that has been protecting me my whole life. This is often why people do things to “feel alive”. But the numbness is usually a result of OVERWHELM by ALL the feelings. It’s a double edge sword really.
Do You Believe in Signs?
Yesterday, I was driving along a backcountry road when I spotted a huge coyote running full speed through an open field. He was on a direct course to HIT my car.
The Rainbow
Rainbows remind me that even though there is dark, there’s also so much beauty.
Which Tools Do You Use?
I wanted to share a little story with you that happened while I was in Italy with my family. It all started with an ego bruise.