Let’s be gentle with ourselves (and each other)

Oops - it looks like the owner of my originally planned content has decided to take a social media break (which I wholly support - breaks can be acts of wellness too!). As we enter 2021 there is likely a mix of emotions present... hope, fear, anxiety, relief, weariness and many more. The Proactively Kind Project is a beautiful place to read messages of encouragement and validation for your experiences and mental wellness.   While the Proactively Kind Project is taking a break, here is another of…

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Back to the Basics

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Whether you are living with a chronic illness or simply contending with the many uncertainties of 2020, most of us are experiencing some degree of anxiety and overwhelm this year.   We don't have any clear idea of the future and that leads us to feel helpless.  Further, many of our typical coping mechanisms are unavailable to us due to the pandemic restrictions.   In those moments when life is feeling like too much, it's powerful to acknowledge what we are feeling.  Naming our emotions helps us to…

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Self Kindness

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Today I'm linking to an Instagram post I saw in my feed from Tiffany Chambers-Katz, LCSW (@gratefulguidancellc).  She is a therapist in Ft Lauderdale and I love the breadth of content she posts.   https://www.instagram.com/p/CFJ8IwsDnOp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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My Current Podcast Playlist

Throughout the pandemic, my love for podcasts has been renewed.  With the reduction of real life connections, I find I can get fatigued from watching videos.  Podcasts are a great alternative that I can access while doing other things at home such as cooking or cleaning.  Here are a few of my recent discoveries (with links and descriptions from Apple Podcasts): Fireflies Unite with Kea - Fireflies Unite Podcast With Kea is a weekly podcast from the perspective of individuals thriving with a mental illness created…

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Between Two Lines

I have a new recommendation for those of you who live with diabetes or care for someone with diabetes.   Levi is a man living with Type 1 diabetes who shares helpful videos and posts about life with Type 1.  He has a great balance of humour and hope that is relatable to many of us who navigate the ups and downs of diabetes. I invite you to explore his offerings: Between Two Lines Instagram YouTube  

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Uncertainty

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I’ve written about uncertainty before: Uncertainty  It seems a topic that only increases in relevance in our world today.   Yet it is also one that remains a big challenge for most people.  Naturally our minds move toward things that we understand and can predict.  Those things are easier to plan for and to navigate.   It takes courage to face the unknown, not know what is going to happen, and step forward anyway.  Typically, in such moments, we have support from others who are likely not facing the…

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Proud of My Profession(s) and My Association

Each day I am grateful for the paths that have led me down my career path.  I am proud to be a Clinical Counsellor and a Speech Language Pathologist.  The majority of my work these days is in counselling and this month I want to extend my gratitude to the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).  Throughout the recent changes related to the pandemic, those behind the scenes have been a strong advocate for RCCs (Registered Clinical Counsellors) and helping us to navigate the quickly changing…

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Today

Today I have a headache.  I didn't sleep well so I'm tired.  My blood sugars are all over the map.  And I'm feeling saddened by the state of the world. So today I am giving myself permission to go slow.  To not accomplish everything on my list.  To make breathing, a cup of tea, and listening to the birds outside my window the only items to be added to my to-do list.     I am for once heeding words that I regularly share with clients.  "You…

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Calm Presence

In the midst of the current world situation, it can be a challenge to maintain the usual routines and strategies that soothe us.  Be kind to yourself and those you love - we will get through this and it will end.  It is understandable if you are finding it difficult to manage your mental health - we don't have a template for what is going on and uncertainty is hard for all humans.  For some tips and tools, I like the resources and offerings shared here:…

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Support for Gratitude

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After my post in November on Gratitude, I came across this lovely post with suggestions on how to work with gratitude in the midst of difficulty.  It seems like a great resource to help bring gratitude to the forefront for the new year ahead. When Gratitude is Hard, Try This Please take a read over there and explore how you can deepen your gratitude practices no matter what you are going through.

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