Experience
The Blog
Are You Practicing Self-Care or Just Performing It?
I thought I was practicing self-care while finishing my website: taking breaks, playing soothing music, even reaching for coffee to push through. But when I looked closer, I realized I was performing self-care while ignoring what my body actually needed. This is the moment we usually lash out or berate ourselves. But what if we paused instead? What if we took the time to notice what we're actually doing and whether it's serving us or not. What might we learn?
Every Choice has the Possibility to create Coherence
Small choices. Big ripples. Real chemistry. Recently I chose to take a dance class for no reason other than it brings me joy and moves my body. A small thing, but here's the surprising part: the choice itself mattered more than the activity. The moment I said yes to something that delighted me, I felt the field around me shift. I was in alignment. The air cleared. Something new became possible. That's coherence. Not transcendence. Not escape. Just the simple power of an intentional choice rippling outward. What are you adding your energy to these days? What projects, people, ideas, and norms? Where is your attention flowing? And does that place feel like what you want to be creating more of?
Reset:Allowing the Nervous System to Soften
Reset your nervous system moment by moment by softening and allowing for pleasure. Last week we were in SunRiver, enjoying bikes, board games, and autumn's golden hues in the sunshine. Interestingly, I didn't think about work projects at all, which felt like a win, and the trip allowed my nervous system to reset in a deep and surprising way. Usually my mind is busy with ideas and projects, no matter where I am, so letting that go and simply being in the pleasure of the moment felt wonderful. The joy that simple pleasures bring is powerful medicine. I'm learning to value myself more in all things. These days, that looks like not continually producing, proving, or saying yes to opportunities that don't truly light me up. It takes courage, trust, and a willingness to live in the mystery of what is unfolding.
Tears…An Aspect of Who We Are
These times challenge us on all fronts—the news, our personal struggles, illness or death in our family and friends. We're holding ourselves together as best we can, and I'd like to gently suggest making time to let go. To cry. To scream. To stomp your feet. To release excess energy. But what about when you've cleared the afternoon space to allow yourself time to relax and restore, and nothing happens? It can be hard to open potential floodgates, unsure of what will happen. Maybe you sit and your mind is blank. You have a journal but nothing comes. Empty space. It is a tender time and we all need tenderness in our lives.
Relationships…Time To Evolve?
Many of us were raised with the same subtle instructions: Be kind. Be agreeable. Keep the peace. Don't make anyone uncomfortable. I appreciate this. It shaped me into an excellent observer. Generally, I'm calm, accommodating, and easy to be around. But it also tucked my voice deep inside for much of my life. Only in recent years have I truly met her, and this week she stood a little taller. As I near the completion of my current painting journey, my voice has risen to a new level. Part of that process involved unearthing pieces of myself that I had stored away long ago—beliefs, patterns—and inviting them onto the canvas where they could soften, transform, and become nourishment for new growth.
Pivoting…To Take Charge
Earlier this week, I began a four-month journey of system re-balancing. Instead of following the standard path often recommended for menopausal women—a prescription for every symptom—I've decided to take another route. What if, instead of simply managing symptoms, I could create balance in a more integrated way? What might it be like to deepen my relationship with my body, listening to its needs, noticing its patterns, and breaking cycles that no longer serve me? With the support of a functional medicine team, that's exactly what I'm exploring. It's early days, but already I feel a new calmness.
Presence as a Response
I'm doing my best this month to practice a kind of tunnel vision—filtering out the constant noise that comes at us from every direction. It's not easy. There are so many big topics vying for our attention, each one insisting it's urgent. But I keep asking myself: what kind of attention is really needed? The reactive, fear-based, OMG kind of attention is exactly what those in control would prefer. But we are far more powerful when we can respond from a grounded, centered place. Beneath the smoke and mirrors, what actually matters? What needs to happen now to take the next step toward a healthier, more loving world?
Calm, Clear & Reasonable
Today I am simply offering a couple of easy things you can do to help yourself recenter. Simple yet powerful. When you feel emotionally upset or stressed and need to calm down, these techniques work anywhere, anytime. The first uses the power of breath with triangle drawing to regulate your nervous system. The second is a Jin Shin Jyutsu hold—simply cross your arms and hold your upper arms. That's it. Just wrap the right hand over the left upper arm, and wrap the left hand over the right upper arm. Hold until you feel the tension melting away. Usually five to ten minutes should do the trick.
Just Do You…Release The Rest
There's a quiet kind of freedom that comes when we release the need to perform, prove, or perfect ourselves. Sometimes that release happens in the simplest moments, like cooking a meal or softening an old internal voice that says we're only enough when we're doing the most. This week, I've been reflecting on what it means to just do you, to return to the truth of who we are beneath the pressure. To truly create change in our lives, we can't just think about it—we have to actually move into it. Otherwise, we'll find ourselves being run by old systems, patterns, energies, and beliefs.
Easy Self Care Moments
How does one regain the inner quiet or maintain some form of balance during these times? Maybe you only have 5 or 10 minutes – great – start there. Here are several ideas to get you started.It's so easy to be hijacked by constant thoughts, busy lives, and overfull commitments. But it's essential to step away from constant activity and into quiet peacefulness. Maybe you only have 5 or 10 minutes—great, start there. Here are seven simple practices to quiet your mind and find balance: create breathing gaps, stop and listen, engage with nature, check in with yourself, take technology breaks, try simple art, or dance. Give yourself the chance to experience space between thoughts.
My Concussion Story ...
My son suggested I try VR, so I bought a headset for the creativity and art programs. Looking for entertainment, I discovered ping pong—and shelled out $20 for a highly-rated game. Playing in a beautiful Mountain Chalet setting, Mr. AI lobbed one and I went for a backhand slam. Had there been a real table to catch me, I would've made the shot. But there wasn't, and I flew outside my safe zone and crashed through furniture. Kevin came running to find me in a fetal position. Turns out, I got a concussion.
Calm Your Overwhelm Series
Calming your fear and overwhelm may have become part of your daily routine. Winter typically calls us to cozy in and tend to our deeper nourishment, our dreams and fears—the deep waters within. This 4-week series shares self-nourishment practices through daily emails, Monday through Friday. Each takes about 2-3 minutes to read and 10-15 minutes to practice. This class is currently not available, but if you'd love me to offer it again, let me know!
Empowering Holistic Wellness
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Those Secret Dreams
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Sailing with Stress
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The Co-Creative Cycle
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Here we are ... now what?
Activate the energies within that promote inner joy, peace, harmony and stillness. Fill yourself up so that what you contribute to the world is offered from a place of fullness and overflow.