One major thing this Coronavirus pandemic has called our attention to, is how little control we actually have in life. This has been and always will be the case. Viruses and other threats to our well-being have always existed and will always exist. I don’t mean to create even more anxiety by saying this, but we’re all about the facing the truth here. Even when it’s not a truth we like.
It's Always a New Year!
It’s well past January 1st so why the heck am I writing a New Year’s resolution post now?
Well, because I didn’t then. And ever day is a new year! In fact, every moment is a new year. An opportunity to make a fresh start, to make changes, to set new goals.
And how many of you have already given up on those resolutions you set back at the start of 2021?
No judgment here. But I will give you some tips to keep setting goals any dang time you feel like it!
The Dark Side of Mindfulness
Mindfulness will definitely lead to all kinds of “good” stuff, but (And you knew there was going to be a but.) being mindful also means that you’re fully aware of and present for EVERYTHING that’s going on in our life. And life isn’t always rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes it’s painful, frustrating, and downright uncomfortable.
How Mindfulness Helps
Now you’re at the part of your mindfulness journey where you get that it means being fully in the present moment (If you have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about, check this article out first before continuing.). But now you might be wondering, well, that sounds all fine and dandy, but why spend the time trying to do that?
A Reminder of What Mindfulness Is
Introducing Mindfulness IRL
On World Mental Health Day: A Few Favorite Mental Health Hacks
October 10th is World Mental Health Day as observed by the World Health Organization (WHO). I think we could all use some help with our mental health about now so here are a few of my favorite mental health tips in the style of an infographic!
On Taking Breaks
On How to Be the Change We Want to See
I had a whole other post to share. But it’s been quite a week. After quite a week. After quite a month. After quite a year. After quite a lifetime for some people. The other post, on the illusion of control, I’ll get to at some point, but I don’t want acceptance to be confused with not taking action to right a wrong.
On Things That Have Helped Me While (Mostly) Stuck at Home
On Mourning During the Coronavirus
On Having a Breakdown
On Things to Talk About Other Than the Coronavirus
On Gratitude During Tough Times (Aka Coronavirus Thoughts)
On Fun Things to Do When Stuck at Home
On Fear During the Coronavirus
Oh man, fear can be a beast! It can get right on in there, take over, and control everything. If we let it.
Fear is our most primal emotion. Absolutely necessary for survival. Yet, we live in a time when there’s actually the least amount of threat to our survival in history. Still we experience the highest levels of fear and stress.
On Life and Death
In the last week a lot of people have given some extra thought to death. And to life. Neither of which the average person thinks much about on the regular. We all logically know that we’re alive and that someday we’ll die, but part of us also believes in immortality. It can’t happen to us. It can’t happen to our loved ones. Not now anyway.
On Service to Others
Every single year, the third Monday in January is a day to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy. Most often, I hear people talk about how excited they are to have this day off work or school. While you can’t hate on that, the day is actually the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service. This means that the MLK Day of Service is intended to be a "day on, not a day off." According to the Corporation for National & Community Service, the day is meant to “empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, create solutions to social problems, and move us closer to Dr. King's vision of a ‘Beloved Community.’”
On a Resolution for a New Decade
So here we are again. Another new year. In fact, a brand new decade. And to celebrate, another new year’s resolution post. I’ve shed light on different ways to set resolutions. I’ve also touted self-acceptance as the only resolution you need.
This year I’m going to revisit 2018 and a new year’s resolution I failed miserably at. Okay, maybe fail is a bit strong. Or at least miserably is. But “being” is something that continues to be more of a challenge in my life than I’d like it to be (See what I did there!). So much so that I decided to make it my 2020 resolution theme. Perhaps for this entire decade. Probably the rest of my life.
A Few of My Favorite Things in 2019
And you get a trip around the world! And you get a trip around the world! And you get a trip around the world! Okay, not really, but I’m imagining what will happen when I have Oprah-like status. In the meantime, if you haven’t finished your holiday shopping or are looking for some things to entertain you over winter break or in 2020 here are my 2019 recs: