I was trying to think of a time when I had to deal with a difficult person for the introduction of this post. Then I thought, how do I narrow it down? We have all dealt with a difficult person, whether it has been at work, at home, at the grocery store, or at the dining room table. Sometimes we just have differing opinions; other times it’s a matter of personalities that just don’t mesh. Either way, there are plenty of battles in life we just don’t have to participate in. Growing up, I had some bullies, and the girls in my class would exclude me (what felt like, exclusively).…
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Generally speaking, most people only ever think of a power move within the context of aggression or manipulation. In discussion, these moves are usually referenced when someone asserts dominance or control at the expense of someone else. In fact, this might be the only context where the term “power move” comes up. But—what if we chose to use our power to help people? To lift others up rather than push them down to “assert dominance”? The reality is, you can be more powerful than someone, and that standing never actually needs to be acknowledged. What if we thought of power moves differently? The Traditional View of “Power Moves” In my…
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When I first started talking with my therapist, one of the things he told me to look out for were patterns—patterns in myself and even patterns that I would notice in others. It wasn’t long before I noticed times where I would always respond one way or never do something in a specific situation. Sometimes, for instance, if I had any perceived rejection, I would resort to negative, unhelpful thoughts that might have served me at one time but don’t any longer. I would meet feelings of sadness and unworthiness and buckle in for a spiral through negative thoughts that I had as far back as childhood. Moments like this…
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When you look at a situation, ask yourself — how would I like to respond? When you give yourself even a brief moment to tune in to how you’re actually feeling, you create space — and in that space, you gain choice. In this post, I want to talk about embracing things as they happen — as a way of choosing empowerment, quieting fear, and moving more smoothly from one part of your journey to another. Life will always hand us the unexpected — delays, detours, moments that don’t go according to plan. But when you lean into those moments with grace and faith in yourself, your entire experience begins…
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People want certainty. It’s human to want to label and compartmentalize things in our minds so we can feel safe. If we meet someone new, we might call them a friend. Upon trying a new restaurant, we decide if we like it or not. When we go to a new place, we’ll find ways to describe it in relation to places we’ve been. A lot of times, when we make a new decision or feel a new pull, we tend to rush to define it. Whether we’re taking up a new hobby or meeting a potential partner, it’s easy to want to label and categorize our experience quickly. The thing…
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Jealousy is a powerful emotion. I think it’s something we all feel, but it’s not something we talk about very much. No one is ever proud to announce that they’re jealous of someone else. After all, jealousy usually stems from a sense of lack and fear, so it also reveals other insecurities. Depending on your level of self-awareness or the image that you maintain, that’s not really a good look. If you’ve ever felt jealous and yucky about it—or perhaps you struggle with jealousy—this post might provide you with a little perspective. What if you could simply choose a new alternative to this seemingly all-consuming emotion? We can start by…
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Who you let into your life is important. We might not always realize it right away, but the people we allow ourselves to be around influence us—sometimes more than we know. As humans, we can’t help but learn from each other. That’s why being mindful about who gets access to your energy isn’t just a nice idea—it’s necessary. Being discerning with my time and energy is something I’ve been actively working on. This post is a reflection on the importance of being choosy about who you share your time with—whether it’s a romantic partner, a close friend, or even someone you only see at work. Your time and energy are…
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There is always so much going on; most of us have a running to-do list that is a mile long. We’ve got deadlines to meet, errands to run, and don’t forget to clean the house because we’ve got company coming tomorrow. Of course, tending to our responsibilities is important. That also means that sometimes in life we have to sacrifice certain things to ensure that our responsibilities are met first. However, there’s something that you should consider when you think about how busy you are, and how you’re rushing around to get things done. Remember to take a break, remember to be present. Be conscious of how you use your…
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How many people do we meet over the course of our lives? Sometimes those people are with us throughout our whole lives, and sometimes they are only with us for the short term. However long the stay, everyone has something to teach us. The goal for this post is to remind folks to consider the greater good of their life journey when someone in their life chooses to exit. I tend to look at the end of a relationship as the end of a life lesson; what has that person taught me? Different people are meant to show you certain things. Someone who oversteps your boundaries may be teaching you…
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I feel like this saying is everywhere: Protect your energy. It’s become a kind of modern mantra—a shorthand for emotional self-care. Whether you’re navigating toxic work environments, draining relationships, or trying to avoid burnout, the idea of protecting your energy offers a sense of empowerment. It’s a way to reclaim your peace, and – there’s more to it than that. I mentioned the phrase “protect your energy” to my therapist once. In response, he paused and asked, “What would happen if, instead of using the word protect, you used the word curious?” It was a subtle shift—but one I’ve referenced ever since. What if protecting your energy is only part…
