10 Tips for Learning to Trust Yourself
Things happen in life to throw us off kilter. A loved one cheats, we didn't see the break-up coming, we lose a job through layoff or being fired, we aren't the mom we thought we'd be, or the baby doesn't have the temperament we anticipated. We have certain expectations and somehow they are horribly unmet.
When we feel betrayed, hurt, shame or failure, we start to doubt ourselves. We doubt our abilities and our capabilities. We stop trusting ourselves. It can also happen when our caretakers give messages of comparison or doubt growing up. They may invalidate our feelings or experiences and place shame or rejection upon us. We grow up second-guessing ourselves and looking to others to define our reality.
How do we get back to ourselves after life gut-punches us? How do we learn to trust ourselves again? REad this post to learn 10 simple steps.
What I'm Learning From Atlas of the Heart
If you haven't read Brené Brown's new book, Atlas of the Heart, I recommend it. At first, I thought, "How much am I going to get out of a book that just lists emotions and their definitions?" I'm a therapist and a life coach, I mean I know feelings.
I was wrong.
As Brown says, she is exploring emotions and experiences and how we make meaning of them. Read this post to learn about feelings in a new way.
5 Signs You Might Be in a Codependent Triangle
Codependency isn’t a new subject. Unfortunately, it’s become something of a buzzword in everything from psychology to marriage counseling. However, while many people understand the basic definition of a codependent relationship, fewer have an understanding of a codependent triangle.
A codependent triangle comprises three roles; rescuers, persecutors, and victims. Read this post to learn what roles you play.
The Art of Savoring
Imagine your favorite food is in front of you. Tender and juicy. Or cold and creamy. Picture it in front of you, noticing the colors and textures. Now smell the aromas. Imagine tasting it and all the yumminess of it. Really enjoy the experience and drag out the bite like it were going to be your last.
10 Ways to Combat Anxiety
Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the world. It affects millions of people across the globe. While some people experience more severe symptoms than others, it can often feel like anxiety takes over your life when you’re struggling with it.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
10 Ways to Be More Efficient in Your Life
Maybe it's my German heritage or my smidge of OCD. Probably, it's both. I don't hate it. One way this combo has helped me in life is by making me what I call efficient. I tend to see problems and love to solve them. This makes me a great life coach and therapist. It also affords me more time to sit back and relax. I am a big believer in rest and relaxation versus running around frazzled! In fact, now that I think about it, I'm efficient because I'm lazy! Or, because I want more time to be lazy.
How to Determine the Health of your Relationship
Everyone wants to have a healthy relationship. You might feel like yours is struggling in some ways and thriving in others, and that’s perfectly normal. But, how can you tell if your relationship is on “life support” or if it’s truly healthy? Chances are, if you’re trying to keep things going and having a hard time, things might be in a dire situation, and that’s usually easy to see.
Do I Need a Therapist or a Life Coach
If you’re struggling with your well-being or you’re feeling anxious, you might think getting some help is the best option–and it often is! If you’re feeling stagnant in your life and you’re not sure where to go, it’s also a good idea to reach out for help.
5 Reasons to Sleep and Exercise
We live in a culture that goes “full speed ahead” more often than not. Self-care is thrown around a lot as an idea and concept, but not used as a practice. When you don’t prioritize some of the most basic forms of care, your mind and body can both suffer. That includes getting regular exercise and getting enough sleep.
10 Ways to Stop Being a People Pleaser
People pleasers tend to do whatever they can for others. While it’s often done out of genuine kindness, most people pleasers also really want to be well-liked. As a people pleaser, you might measure your value by what others think of you or how much they like you. So, you believe the more you do for them, the greater your odds.