Ah, the classic battle of wits against the gaslighters and underminers! It’s like a soap opera where the villains think they’re winning. But fear not! With a pinch of confidence, some firm boundaries, and a sprinkle of self-care, you can strut through their nonsense unscathed. Remember, their drama isn’t your responsibility—keep thriving!
“Oh, You Tried It?” Read More »
Reclaim Your Energy After a Tough Week Last week felt like walking through a storm with no umbrella, no shoes, no raincoat, with wind whipping around you and Florida’s signature sideways rain falling as if it was getting extra credit to fall. In a nutshell, it was a dumpster fire of a week. And listen, it wasn’t just one thing. No, no, no. Life had to go full drama. It was a combination of heartbreak, tough decisions, and some serious physical exhaustion. I had to say goodbye to a friend I just made in this new city (which still doesn’t feel like home), deal with the emotional pain of laying off nine people (yes, NINE), and on top of that, I got hit with some kind of bug that left me too weak to keep anything down. The week wasn’t just tough—it was a full-on dumpster fire. By the time it was over, I didn’t feel like myself. I felt drained, like my energy tank was running on fumes. I mean if there were gold medals for dumpster fire weeks, last week would have been a contender. It wasn’t bad enough to be tragic, but it was stressful and uncomfortable at every turn. Every time I thought I’d found my footing, something else knocked me right back down. By Friday, I was spent—exhausted, frustrated, and completely over it. But here’s the thing: somehow, I made it through. And if you’ve ever had a week that slapped you around like this one did me, this one’s for you. Because even when life decides to throw everything at you, there’s a way to rebuild, recharge, and come back stronger—without losing your mind in the process. Here’s how you do it. 1. Give Yourself Permission to Rest! Look, I know we’re all conditioned to push through everything like superheroes, but after a week like this, I knew I had earned a break, not that I need to earn one. Rest is not optional—it’s mandatory. Your body and your mind are practically begging for it. And don’t you dare feel guilty about it! I chose to roll back the amount of activities I engaged in throughout the week. On Friday, I signed off early cause I was managing a migraine and took a nap. And on Saturday, I took some cognitive rest. I went to test drive a car that I was interested in purchasing, went out for lunch with Rodney, and spent some time upgrading this site, all of which made me happy. How does this apply to you? Glad you asked. Tip: When life is throwing punches your way prioritize your rest. One way is to schedule a “do-nothing” day. Yep, I said it. Plan a day where you don’t answer emails, selectively answer your phone, don’t tackle chores, and don’t even think about tomorrow’s to-do list. Your job is to rest, recharge, and indulge in whatever brings you peace—whether that’s binge-watching your favorite shows or sipping a chai latte in total silence. 2. Feel All the Feels Last week, even though I was feeling like trash both physically and emotionally, I had to show up for my team. So even though I was feeling a lot of emotions, I was trying really hard to not to show them. But even though I tried hard not to show them with my team, the truth is, it’s totally okay to feel all the emotions: frustration, sadness, anger, whatever shows up. Trying to act like it’s all good when it’s not will just keep you stuck. Honor what you’re feeling, even if it’s not cute. I waited until the end of the day to let all my feelings out, but I did let them out. My sister and Rodney heard a lot of it, and they were great about holding space for me. Tip: When life has you on an emotional roller coaster, take a moment to check in with yourself. If you’re a writer, grab a journal and spill it all. Or if writing feels too formal, hit record on your phone and just talk it out. Let those emotions have their say—because once they’re out, you’ll feel a little lighter and a lot more clear. 3. Reconnect with Your Happy Place When life feels like it’s taken everything out of you, it’s time to reconnect with what makes you you. Your happy place might be the beach (yep, that’s me), a good book, or even just sitting in total silence for five minutes. The point is, find what grounds you and lean into it. This week was kind of cold here and I was feeling like trash so even though I didn’t go to my happy place, I played a lot with my plants and made space for them in my office. I also may or may not have engaged in some retail therapy with accoutrements for my plants but that’s another story for another day. Tip: Take some time when you’re feeling off kilter to do something that brings you back to center. For me, it’s sitting by the ocean, chai latte in hand, just letting the sound of the waves calm my spirit. Maybe for you, it’s putting on that 90s R&B playlist and dancing in the living room, or calling your bestie for a vent session. Whatever it is, make time for it—it’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity. 4. Focus on What You Can Control Not everything is under your control, and that’s okay. What is in your control is how you take care of yourself and how you respond moving forward. You don’t have to fix everything at once. Start small, and watch how those little wins start to rebuild your energy. There was not a whole lot that I could control last week, but I focused on what I could. I appealed to hiring managers I know to try to help the folks who were getting laid off get some leads, I worked on my
Recovering from Burnout Read More »
Life’s been throwing punches like it’s training for a championship match—injuries, hurricanes, and work chaos all at once. But amidst the jabs, there’s a silver lining: you can bounce back! Embrace the “life quake,” tackle small wins, and keep moving forward. Remember, even superheroes need a snack break sometimes!
Surviving Life Quakes: Rebuild and Thrive Read More »
Simple Habits for an Abundance Mindset Have you ever felt stuck in that scarcity loop, where all you can think about is what you don’t have? You know what I am talking about. For me it hits after doom scrolling and wistfully and voyeuristically taking in what other people are doing on the interwebs. And you know that I know that they are only showing a snapshot but I still find myself wondering what I am doing wrong. You’re not alone. Our minds can be our biggest obstacle, constantly pointing out what’s missing instead of celebrating what we already have. But there’s another way to think that frees you from the prison of doom—the abundance mindset. It works. I tried it and it made all the difference. And lately life has been giving me many opportunities to practice. It’s all about appreciating the small things. The first sip of my ginger lemon tea in the morning, the feel of the sun on my skin as I water the plants, or being able to lounge in bed on Saturday mornings. Those simple joys make my whole day brighter. That’s the power of an abundance mindset. It’s more than positive thinking; it’s a lifestyle change that has transformed my entire world. Imagine moving through life knowing that there’s enough for everyone, including you. That’s what an abundance mindset is all about. It’s not just about money or material things—it’s about how you view the world and your place in it. When you adopt an abundance mindset, it changes the way you see opportunities, set goals, and handle challenges. Abundance vs. Scarcity: What’s the Difference? An abundance mindset says, “There’s always more where that came from,” while a scarcity mindset whispers, “There’s never enough.” People who embrace abundance see endless possibilities and know that success isn’t a pie where someone else’s slice makes theirs smaller. They celebrate others and believe that there’s room for everyone to win. But if you’re in that scarcity mindset? Whew, it can make you feel like you’re constantly in competition or that you’re going to run out of what you need. That kind of thinking leads to decisions made out of fear—whether it’s in relationships, your career, or even with yourself. Sometimes our scarcity mindset are leftovers from traumatic experiences, so don’t beat up on yourself. Decide what you can commit to changing and let’s make it happen. Why Cultivate an Abundance Mindset? When you embrace an abundance mindset, it doesn’t just change your thoughts—it transforms your life. Here are some of the benefits: Daily Habits to Build Your Abundance Mindset Of course you can’t just flip a switch to go from scarcity to abundance—it takes time and small, daily changes. But do not fret, I’ve got you covered. Here are some practical habits to get you started. 1. Gratitude Journaling Start your day by writing down three things you’re grateful for. It could be something as simple as the warmth of your morning sun or a kind word from a loved one. This habit is like training your brain to notice abundance, and over time, you’ll start to see more of it. As I have share before I am not a journaler but I know that it can be a really valuable tool. I prefer to wake up joyfully. I focus the first few moments of my day on things I am grateful for. I say my prayers when I wake up and say thank you for another wake up. I say good morning to Rodney and then I start humming a song that makes me happy. By the time it’s time to water the plants I start naming the things I am grateful for and if its sunny I spend a few minutes letting it warm my skin. That makes for a morning that sets me up for success and starts my day with joy. 2. Setting and Achieving Goals Goals are your road map to an abundant life. But don’t just set any goals—set ones that align with what really matters to you. So many of us are recovering people pleasers. It is important to take a moment to make sure that the goals we set are aligned to our purpose. When you have the aligned goals, break them down into smaller steps and tasks. Every time you complete one of the steps, celebrate because this creates momentum and reminds you that your goals are within reach. I am lucky to have Carol in my orbit who does the breaking down of the tasks for me because my brain is always thinking about multiple things at a time. If your brain is like mine there are all kinds of apps and software that can help you. The point of breaking it down is to make it achievable so that it goes from being a dream to being a goal. 3. Keep Learning Learning something new keeps your mind open and engaged with the world. Whether it’s reading a book, watching a documentary, or picking up a new hobby, continuous learning shows you that there’s always more to explore. Not to mention that it is good for your brain. Lately I have been learning a lot about gardening. I have killed some, but I have grown more than I killed. I am not trying to become a master gardener, I am just trying to learn more about nurturing and caring for plants that make my space more beautiful. I am also learning a ton about launching a new business, and building a brand. The joy for me is in the learning and I have noticed that keeping my focus on learning has changed the way that I approach challenges. I come in curious as opposed to judgmental and that is a huge shift for me. 4. Surround Yourself with Positive People We become like the people we spend time with, so make sure you’re around people who uplift and inspire you. Positive vibes are contagious,
From Worry to Wonder Read More »