Decluttering and Mental Wellness
I recently cleared out a storage unit that I’ve had for nearly eight years. It’s something I had intended to tackle for ages, yet consistently found excuses to put off. However, it was always in the back of my mind, and as the storage cost steadily increased over the years I felt a gnawing guilt to finally do something about it. So, I set a New Year’s intention to relieve myself of the unit and the majority of its contents. The reality is, I honestly didn’t know what I had in there anymore. I had a vague idea that there was some furniture, random items from childhood (such as old report cards, worn out dolls, and crafts from kindergarten), as […]
Moving Mindfully: My Favorite Fitness Programs
Physical movement has always been a key piece to my mental health and has brought me much joy over the years. It’s something I’ve turned to throughout every stage of my life, especially when moving through periods of deep loss, grief, and life transitions. It’s been essential to my overall wellness and my ability to ride the waves of life’s stressors and uncertainties. The endorphins released through exercise are a natural mood booster, and the strength you feel in your physical body is an important connector to the strength you possess within your mental/emotional being as well. After a workout, no matter how gentle or intense, I always feel a greater sense of balance and peace that carries me through […]
Inviting Hygge Into Your Life
This winter I’ve been craving a sense of deeper peace and inner calm. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the stress and holiday rush this time of year. While at times it hasn’t been easy, I’ve become more intentional about finding time each day to ground into my body and connect with my breath. I also recently picked up a book about Hygge, which I’ve always been curious to learn more about. It’s so important that we learn to give ourselves permission to slow down and to feel good. The book that I picked up is called “The Little Book of Hygge” by Meik Wiking. It talks about how Hygge – the art of coziness, intimacy, and pleasure – […]
Taking Care This Holiday Season
Moving into the holiday season can bring up a myriad of feelings, especially if you are grieving. Gathering with family and friends may bring a sense of comfort, yet also can be emotionally charged if one of your loved ones will be missing from the table this year, or if you are moving through a season of change in your life. If you are anxious or even dreading this season, I wanted to share a few tips to help support you through this time. It’s always important to be authentic with your feelings, so if you don’t feel like you’ll be up for certain festivities or gatherings this year, I suggest finding ways to support this truth. This could mean […]
Supporting A Grieving Loved One
Supporting a loved one through grief can feel overwhelming, confusing, and even uncomfortable. We’re simply not taught specific skills or language around grief in today’s culture. It can be challenging and frustrating when you want to be helpful and yet you find yourself getting tongue tied or frozen around what to do or say. While there are many things you can do (and also avoid doing) I thought I’d offer a few tips that may come in useful when you find yourself in a supportive role. It is very important to allow a loved one time and space to grieve. Healing happens at its own pace, so it is essential to have patience and remember that everyone’s journey will look […]