“Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain.” ~Unknown We hear the words authenticity and integrity often used as if they mean the same thing. But while they walk hand in hand, they aren’t twins; they’re companions with distinct roles in how we move through life. Authenticity is about being you, honest, …
Self Care
Return to Sender: Protecting Your Emotional Energy
“We can’t control what people say, but we have a say in how we react. Refusing to give others power over our feelings is a mark of emotional intelligence. It’s worth asking: has this person earned the right to influence my emotions? If not, return to sender.” ~ Adam Grant We’ve all been there: someone makes …
Escaping the Chaos Trap
“Almost everything doesn’t need to be done right now.” ~ Unknown Do you ever think you can cram a million things into ten minutes? Maybe you’re already late, but you’re still firing off one last email, scrubbing dishes, or tearing the house apart for your keys. You tell yourself it’ll only take a second, but somehow, …
The Wisdom of Stillness
“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” ~ Hermann Hesse, poet and novelist Sometimes growth feels like movement, momentum, and visible progress. Other times, it feels like stillness; like waiting, resting, or even disappointment. It can be tempting to believe that if we …
You’re Enough: Flaws, Sparkles, Confetti, and All
“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.” ~Maya Angelou In a world that constantly nudges us to be more, do more, achieve more, it’s easy to fall into the belief that we are not enough as we are. The endless comparisons to peers, to strangers online, even to the “ideal” version of …
That Story in Your Head? It Might Be Wrong
“The problem with making assumptions is that we believe they are the truth.” ~ Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements We’ve all done it. They didn’t text back—are they mad at me? He was short in that meeting—did I do something wrong? She didn’t smile when she walked by—what did I say? Assumptions are the silent scripts …
Untangling the Fear of Judgement
“When I notice myself worrying about ‘what other people will think,’ I find I’m usually not worried about any single person’s opinion.”~ James Clear, author of Atomic Habits How often do we pause before making a choice, sharing a thought, or wearing something that feels truly “us”, not because one specific person might disapprove, but …
💛 How Good a Friend Are You… to You?
“Be careful how you are talking to yourself because you are listening.” — Lisa M. Hayes, coach and author When was the last time you truly checked in with yourself, not to critique or correct, but to listen? We often extend compassion, patience, and encouragement to our loved ones. But when it comes to ourselves, that same kindness …
Take Well-Being Off the Back Burner
“Mental health isn’t something to put on the back burner. We can’t keep good habits in storage until we need them.” ~ Adam Grant, author and professor Mental well-being isn’t something to save for later when we have “more time” to invest in it. It’s something to fold into our day-to-day life. It’s easy to fall into …
Leave a Little for Tomorrow
“The best way is always to stop when you are going good and when you know what will happen next. If you do that every day… you will never be stuck.” ~Ernest Hemingway, author Ernest Hemingway’s wisdom reminds us not to “pump yourself dry.” In a world that celebrates hustle and overdrive, this quote offers a …
Holding Back vs. Letting Go
“Holding back is sometimes safe, but it’s never where the magic happens.” ~Unknown This week, I’ve been sitting with the tension between holding back and letting go. These two forces live in the body, the mind, and the heart. And in the space between them? Apprehension. Holding back can serve a purpose. It protects us from overwhelm, gives us space …
“Dear Inner Critic: You’re Not the Boss of Me!”
Turn down the volume of your negative inner voice and create a nurturing inner voice to take its place. ~ Beverly Engel, psychotherapist To tame your inner critic, create first, edit later. When you sit down to create, whether writing, art, movement, or even a new idea, the inner voice of judgment might want to take …