President of Family Secret Helpers - Founder of its Projects - Master Coach & NLPEducator -Motivator- Author & Editor - Yoga Teacher - Host & Producer of Podcast www.nancy-rivera.com // www.bempowerwomen.com // www.familysecrethelpers.com
Anyway, 2023 is coming up and many people are looking back on a particular 2022. Despite the ups and downs, considering New Year's resolutions is a task that cannot be missed.
Half of New Year's resolutions are written on a piece of paper, in a forgotten notepad, or even in thought, this time that will not be your case, since we will tell you what you should include in your list of goals, the best tips to achieve them and what you should avoid so that this year you are part of the group of those who successfully achieve their New Year goals
The main cause of not fulfilling your New Year's resolutions is that you made an incorrect resolution, this occurs when you create objectives based on what a person (or society) tells you, and you have a vague idea of what you really want to achieve and you haven't created any plans to develop it in 12 months.
To create your New Year's resolutions and really stick to them you must: Choose a primary resolution and one or two secondary ones; write down your resolutions and post them in easy-to-see places; find a way to work on your purposes every day; Create habits related to your New Year's resolution, and keep track of your progress.
Make New Year's resolutions correctly
New Year's resolutions should also be defined under the S M A R T methodology: achievable, relevant, measurable goals with a determined duration
Most likely, at some point in your life, you have written your New Year's resolutions or resolutions and have not fulfilled them. If your resolution is to take better care of yourself and be healthy, it will be very easy to achieve it. Here are some tips to help you succeed.
1 Make your New Year's resolutions realistic and moderate
2 Be flexible and modify your purposes
3 Make a plan and detail what you need to get the final result
4. Create a few New Year's resolutions.
5. Let each resolution become a habit.
6. Work on one resolution per month or quarter.
7. Find people who have the same goal.
8. Make your New Year's resolutions fun.
New Year's resolutions to put on your list
Make important changes in your lifestyle with New Year's resolutions, try to improve these areas mainly:
• Improve your diet
• Increase your emotional well-being -- Practice meditation
• Control your finances
• Learn useful skills
Thanks for being part of
#TOUGHMOMdoesnotjustrepresentwhoIamandwhatIhaveaccomplished, #TOUGHMOMissomethingIwantallmomsorANYONEtofeelandembody.
MynameisJenniferCollins,anditismymissiontoempowerotherwomentovaluetheir selvesandtrulyseehowtoughthis“job”ofmotheringis!I’mjustaMidwestgirlfromIowa, butIseesomuchstrengthandgritinthewomenaroundme,yetthesamewomenIthink arefierceandunstoppableoftenlookinthemirrorandfeelsmall. I’vetrademarked#toughmomtobearallyingcryforusall!Anyonecanrepresentthiscall: I’mlookingforwomenwhoembracetheirownversionofpower.Itcanbephysical strength,survivors,gymbaddies,military,teachers,specialneedsparents,caregivers, widows,policeandfirefighters,nurses,divorced,itcanbepetmomstoo,thereisno wronganswer!
Weallhaveastorythathasbroughtustothisplaceintime.Mymessismymessage,and I’veenduredamountainofpainandsufferingtocomeheretotheothersidetosharethe lessonsI’vegatheredfrommystrugglesandbeapositiveresourceforwomen everywhere!
JenniferCollins GuestColumnistI have personally survived cancer, divorce, sexual assault, trauma bonds, death, and more. These things have broken me in more ways than I can retell, but I’ve fought to be the #toughmom that I have become! I am at the top of my career and obtained my Doctor of Business Administration, I work full-time as an HR Director at a steel foundry, and I’m a full-time mom. I’ve also placed in a major body-building show, competed in a strongman competition, CrossFit events and powerlifting meets.
I will be 50 in 2023 and this will be my best year yet! I owe myself everything, and I want to share my brand #TOUGHMOM with the world! I want to shout from the rooftops, “You are #TOUGHMOM, WE got this!” I’d love the opportunity to be on your show and encourage other women to see beyond their struggles and embrace their toughness! Women rallying together and supporting one another is my mission! Getting women in my #TOUGHMOM apparel and joining in the movement to embrace our strength is everything!
Jennifer D. Collins, MBA
https://toughmom.creator-spring.com/
This message is for anyone with a LinkedIn account, and who wants to start standing out from others.
When it comes to having a great profile picture on LinkedIn, take into account two parts of your photo. Your appearance and the photo quality.
Your appearance is what draws your potential employer to n your profile. When we show up in photos as a leader and someone who can run a company, people are drawn to us just by our photos. When it comes to your image, you want to follow a few key steps and do just enough to be noticed and stand out from others
So here are a few recommendations you should incorporate into your new LinkedIn profile picture.
1. Your Attire- When planning what to wear for your profile picture, think about how the clothes fit you. You want to wear well-fitting clothes that aren't too big or too small I would also recommend tailor-fit clothing as they come off sharper in pictures. When in doubt, opt for your go-to interview outfit.
2. Jewelry- Wearing minimal jewelry will make or break your photo. If you love super big hoop earrings stick to small ones. Keep the extra-large hoops earrings at home. Instead, opt for a smaller pair or even studs Remember, this is just for the profile picture Once you get the job, you can gauge how others dress in the office and express yourself a bit more. So keep the jewelry at a minimum.
3. Makeup- Here's another piece that can make or break your photo. Having minimal makeup will keep the attention on you, not your contoured nose. We want to stand out, but not in a way where it may seem like we are more concerned about the makeup instead of getting the job. Minimal is the best way to go.
4. Hair- You can opt for your hair in a bun, curly, natural, or straight, but make sure it's done. I don't want to tell you how many profiles I've seen where the person looked like they didn't even take the time to brush their hair Having neat hair adds something else to your image I would stay away from colors as well.
5. Smiling- Who doesn't love a beautiful smile?! I know when I see someone it melts my heart. It's a sign that you're open to a conversation and easy to approach. If smiling and showing your teeth isn't your cup of tea, then do like Tyra Banks said and smile with your eyes lol
Most people aren't thinking about the quality of their photos, but it's important Imagine scrolling through Instagram, seeing blurry pictures, and thinking about what you would do. I'm sure you'll say scroll right past it. It is what a potential employee does on LinkedIn if yours is poor quality
1. Have a photo- I don't know how many times I've seen profiles where the person didn't have an actual picture. Listen, people will scroll past your profile if you do not have a picture. It's the same as any other social media platform.
2. Lighting- A ring light is your best friend! Great lighting will elevate your photo in seconds. The good thing is they are cheap nowadays, so pick yourself up one.
3. Quality- The importance of a clear photo is so underrated. When I see a crisp picture, it almost comes to life for me. So keep that in mind before loading a new profile photo to your LinkedIn.
4. Solid Backgrounds- Keep your background to a subtle color like gray or a subtle blue These colors do not drown you out in your photo Stand out, not blend in
5. Size- The correct size is another factor in your profile pic and will help with the quality If you upload a picture from your phone, and you're too far away and try to make it a close-up, you risk the photo becoming blurry or grainy Don't do that!
6. Angles/Position- Make sure you are capturing the best angle fit for you I would say stay away from straight-on photos as they can come off a look inmate Slightly turn your body, and you should be good Capture from the waist up or the chest up, absolutely no full-body photos I've seen it all, trust me
In the end, you want to come off welcoming and warm, and since this is your first impression before they dive into your profile, make it count
“I don’t know if love is a well-stocked craft room, but I know a well-stocked craft room is the sign of a lot of money well (or not so well) spent.” – Unknown.
As long as I can recall I have been involved with arts & crafts in some form. As a child summer vacation meant a trip to the local art supplies store and working on a new project every year The art pieces are still up in my mom’s home At school, I really enjoyed putting in extra effort for assignments that included an art component Of course, during university, it did get busy and I could not do much art & craft. When my kids were little I took a few art classes from a lady in my neighborhood. That used to be my “me time” and I thoroughly enjoyed it. When we came to Canada 20 years ago and I had some time in the beginning months I took membership at a local guild and painted some terracotta pots for the Christmas sale. Everything got sold out��. And now not a day goes by when I don’t get my hands dirty with some paint or plaster. That is my happy place. You can view some glimpses of the work I do right here.
Now the question is why are arts & crafts so important to me? Well, that is because this is my way of spending time with myself The thought of spending time with my art supplies lights me up I get energized and am more productive in my professional work when I get to play with color, beads, plaster, pastels, watercolor, etc.
Research proves a positive impact between stress management and any form of an art & craft activity. The levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone, drastically drop when you spend time making art. It really does not matter if you are artistic or not, we all deal with stress in some way. And making art is a fantastic way to divert your energies in the right place. A few years ago, I was presenting on “stress management” to a group of fathers who were dealing with divorce and custody issues. When I presented to them a short art activity that involved making art on grid paper and colored pencils they looked at me as if I was someone from outer space They all said, “we have never ever picked up a crayon in our lives” I asked them to just draw any random shape on the grid paper and begin coloring the small boxes with colors of their choice
Alka Chopra, Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator & Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor
To my surprise and even theirs, none of them even raised their head up to look around. They got so engrossed in the simple coloring activity. Upon asking them how they felt after they completed the activity each one said “it was so relaxing & calming”. Upon asking if they would try again they all said yes.
The bottom line is that when you create any form of art, no matter what your skill level is, we engage your mind, body, and spirit in a way that is healing and comes with numerous benefits. Practicing art therapy not only helps to reduce stress and anxiety but also increases self-esteem. Just avoid adding any conditions of creating “perfect art” because there is really nothing called perfect. Perfection is very subjective. Something might be perfect for you and imperfect for someone else and vice versa.
When we create art, it gives us the ability to look outside of ourselves and see the world around us with a new pair of eyes. When we create, we focus on getting details in place that are drawn for our lives. We also learn new things about ourselves. Some people even discover new talents. There is a lot of self-expression going on and that can be very freeing, healing, and soothing. We just need to be open-minded.
So, what is stopping you? Just get started. Here are some simple arts and crafts ideas that require very few materials:
1. Shadow tracing 2. Dot painting 3. Play Doh modeling clay 4. Painting with chalk pastels or oil pastels 5. Collage with paper shapes (use old magazines) 6. Acrylic pouring 7. Painting with alcohol inks 8. Sticker art 9. Art with masking tape or washi tape 10. Mandala drawing/journaling 11. Finger painting 12. Create a feel-good box
Start with one and then keep adding more to your toolbox. I would love to see what you create. Share with me! Send me an email – at alka@alkachopra.ca If you would like to follow along with all the programs and services I offer you can take a look at this page.
https://www.alkachopra.ca/
The end of the year is a great time for reflection and celebration While most of us tend to be more retrospective this time of year, many of us are more eager to set goals for our New Year's resolutions. However, if we don't reflect on the last year, how can our resolutions for the next one be meaningful and impactful?
In this article, I'll discuss the importance of reflecting and how to get started
Reflecting allows us to process what has happened and gain insight into why certain things may have happened- for what was in our control at least It should also provide us with a sense of closure from the past year so that we can move into the new one more confidently. Taking time to reflect helps us learn from our mistakes and recognize what we did well. It also allows us to appreciate the successes of the year and set realistic goals for the coming one.
Reflection is the key to moving forward with clarity into the new year, whether you're assessing your personal or professional goals.
There is no right or wrong way to reflect on the past year. Here are some questions to help get you started:
What was the best thing that happened this year?
What was the worst?
What were your biggest (and smallest) accomplishments?
What did you learn this year?
Jackie Kickish, Doctor of Physical Therapy and certified pregnancy and postpartum corrective exercise specialistWhat mistakes did you make? Why do you think these were made?
What did you do well?
What could you have done better?
What would you have done differently?
Where did you need more support or resources?
Who could you have asked for help?
What are the biggest changes that occurred in your life over the last year?
How can you use your experiences to set meaningful goals for the next year?
How did you grow as a person and a professional this year?
Sometimes, it can be hard to remember what we even did throughout the year- especially if you have a thriving business or kids! Here are some ways to jog your memory:
Once you've gone through the questions, it's time to process all the information you've gathered. You can see how the answers tie together and try to draw some conclusions from them. This will help you recognize patterns and form actionable steps for the new year.
Look back at old notes, journal entries, calendars, planners, or other documents that you created throughout the year. Reach out to friends or family and ask them to share their most meaningful memories of you from this past year (good and bad, if they're willing to be candid) Look through old pictures on your phone or social media accounts, if applicable. If you still feel like you're missing something, think about any big events that happened in your town or the world this year that had an impact on your life
What will you get out of an end-of-year reflection?
Reflection can be a powerful exercise to stay focused as the new year approaches. Asking ourselves meaningful questions will allow us to:
Recognize our successes (and celebrate)
Identify areas for improvement Set realistic goals for the upcoming year
This is the most rewarding part of reflecting, at least in the short term. Celebrating the wins from this past year will boost your confidence and help to put you in a positive frame of mind for the new year. No win is too big or too small. Celebrate it all and be proud of what you've accomplished in the past year You deserve it!
As a mom, I know goals aren't always met as quickly as I'd like But giving myself some grace and looking back on the progress I've made can be incredibly fulfilling.
For example, this year I am celebrating:
Launching Mama’s Core Connection
Created a postpartum exercise program- focusing on diastasis recti and pelvic floor dysfunction Having several podcast interviews with other moms
What are you celebrating this year?
As rewarding as it can be to celebrate the wins, reflecting on difficult times can also be incredibly powerful- if not more so. It's an opportunity to learn from our experiences and create a more meaningful plan for the future. While difficult times are unfortunately inevitable, how we let them shape our future is up to us.
This year, I'm trying my best to look back at those challenging moments with gratitude and appreciation because they forced me to grow in ways that wouldn't have been possible otherwise.
For example, this past year I struggled with the following:
Postpartum anxiety and stress around all the things motherhood throws at me.
Major water damage to our house in May 2022 and having to move into a rental for 6 months.
What are the difficult times that you faced this year? How did they help you grow and become more resilient?
Now that you've done the work of reflecting. You've now reached a great place to start planning for the new year. Now that you have a better understanding of what goals and strengths you can build on, it's time to make an intentional plan.
As you start setting goals, make sure they are small, measurable, and meaningful.
When you're ready to start reflecting, set aside a block of time- such as a quiet evening or morning when you won't be disturbed Give yourself the space to be honest and open with your thoughts, without judgment or expectations.
Remember that reflection is not about finding fault in your actions or decisions; it's about understanding how those moments have shaped you and what lessons they may hold for the future.
I hope the end of this year and the beginning of the new one is a time for self-reflection, growth, and celebration for you. Wishing you an amazing 2023 and beyond!
"A
can be remarkably difficult.”
Sexual needs vary. Many factors can affect your sexual drive, including stress, illness, aging, and family, professional, and social commitments. Whatever the cause, differences in sexual desire between partners can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation, frustration, rejection, or resentment.
Talk to your partner about:
Your intimacy needs. Intimacy is not just about sexual needs. Intimacy also includes emotional, spiritual, physical, and recreational needs. If you're not getting your emotional intimacy needs met, you may be less interested in sex. Think about what your partner could do to improve your emotional intimacy, and talk about it openly and honestly.
Differences in sexual desire. In any long-term relationship, couples can experience different levels of sexual desire. Talk about your differences and try to explore options that satisfy both of you.
If your difficulty persists, consider seeing a doctor or sex therapist for help. If you take medications that may affect your sexual desire, review your medications with your doctor. Your doctor can suggest an alternative.
Also, if a physical sign or symptom, such as vaginal dryness, is interfering with your sexual enjoyment, ask about treatment options. For example, a lubricant or other medication can help with vaginal dryness associated with hormonal changes or other factors.
Ensuring adequate health is essential for all women, especially as the years go by and both physical and emotional changes occur in the female body that you must learn to identify in order to give them special attention if you are experiencing them. Which leads to the need to take greater care regarding different factors of daily living.
Changes in the female body after 40?
Women are always faced with a constant transformation of their entire organism, however, with the arrival of the years, these changes can be reflected in health complications. This is usually conditioned by the lifestyle that has been had during youth and also by genetic and hereditary factors.
After the age of 40, women tend to experience several changes in their bodies, which could generate some anguish, this feeling should be avoided, and rather understand that we must embrace and value each stage of our lives.
For example, one of the notorious changes is that the fat that was found in the legs or buttocks tends to be redistributed towards the abdomen, which can cause greater risks of suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
In addition, it tends to increase flaccidity in the arms and legs, as a result of the decrease in mass and muscle tone. This is usually more common in those women who do not have or have had a healthy lifestyle and who tend to be more sedentary.
It can also be seen that the skin is losing elasticity and sun spots are denoting quite regularly. In turn, the lines of expression are forming in the dreaded but natural wrinkles.
Some care to keep this part of the body protected is hydration with face and body creams, consuming at least two liters of water a day, using sunscreen daily, eradicating the consumption of tobacco and alcohol, doing physical activity, and eating foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E.
Sexuality in mature women: Sexuality in mature women tends to have several changes, due to reduced libido, this does not mean that you will no longer feel pleasure or you do not want to be intimate with your partner, which What you will perceive is that this sensation will appear less frequently.
Jacqueline Rose Menopause Coach, Women's Hormonal Health Specialist, Yoga for Women's HealthCertified Instructor.Also, losing estrogen will affect the lubrication of your vagina when you have sexual intercourse, which could cause some discomfort. However, the solution, in this case, can be a good lubricant, which will relieve dryness.
Hormonal changes in women: Throughout their lives, women usually present a constant change in hormones, at puberty, in the menstrual cycle, in pregnancy, and in menopause. Normally, each hormonal change brings with it different physical and emotional transformations.
To identify them, you must take into account various symptoms that can appear in each of these stages. The most common are hot flashes, experiencing sudden changes in moods, and reduced libido. In addition, on a physical level, changes in the skin, hair, bladder, bones, body composition, and state of the teeth can be observed.
Although these transformations are completely natural and happen in the stages of each woman, all of them can experience them differently That is why healthy habits and physical activity should be adjusted.
Menopause represents a new stage in the life of all women, where each of the physical and emotional changes can have an impact on daily living. It is true, it is hard to get used to, but it is the ideal moment to reconsider all those habits that we have maintained up to now and that may or may not serve us; In this way, a great opportunity is presented for the transformation of our being.
These hormonal changes that come with menopause will allow you to discover a new facet of your body, in which you will have to work on different aspects, such as your way of resting, eating, sexuality, skin care and physical activity. Of course, understanding and embracing this new stage, being you, your highest priority
Physical Therapist Yoga Therapist Functional Nutrition Provider
As I considered a topic for the final article of the year, I looked back on past subjects I had written about which included incontinence, healthy eating, healthy habit formation, and acceptance of the Perimenopause to Menopause journey I realized I had put out a bunch of advice and recommendations to the readership without ever talking about my own journey and its associated struggles. How can I be considered authentic if my readers don't actually see me putting my same advice into practice? I admit it is often hard for me to follow my own advice because I tend to be so focused on educating and helping others that I leave little time for myself. But I am committed to changing that.
Writing this article is in fact a challenge for me I am an introvert at heart and historically keep my personal inner world under pretty tight wraps Exposing more of myself while not worrying about the perception of impending embarrassment, shame, and criticism has been a large focus of my journey since I turned 50 this year I have learned to live by the notion that when we stay inside our maze of safety, comfort, and fear we stunt growth, keep ourselves isolated and we miss opportunities to encourage others to step out into their own light, all of which lead to blocking the flow of love and acceptance into and out of ourselves. Acceptance of Self, warts and all, is the ultimate in self-care, so here we go.
I have been pretty regular most of my life, but in the past year or so I have noticed my cycles getting longer At first, I had a few mini panic attacks which drove me to take a pregnancy test (at age 50!) My partner then compassionately asked me how I was feeling about the indication that I was getting closer to Menopause. I realized at that moment I hadn't really thought about myself in this process. I spend the majority of my time counseling other women about their journey and I had not actually sat down with myself to consider how I was going to navigate this same path. Hence, this article!
The first thing I did was sit down in a quiet place and allow some reflection time. How did I feel about this moment of significant change? Without going into too much detail, I will say my thoughts ran the gamut from fear of the superficial aspects of aging such as losses in beauty, fertility, and sexuality to the sobering acknowledgment that I have likely passed the halfway point of my time here on Earth I thought about the regularity of periods as a reminder of my femininity and how it connects me to all women in a shared sisterhood I also considered how nice it will be to be free of some of the constraints menstruation brings (there is always a positive side!). There is so much to process during this time and it is important to allow ourselves time to do so.
Dr. Elaine Mele PT, PYT, FNCPAs far as the actual mechanics of the cycle changes, instead of feeling like a passive bystander or distracting myself with my work, I started tracking my symptoms, mostly using the Health app on my iPhone. This will help me notice trends and patterns so I can feel more prepared and less blindsided when things don't go according to schedule The Balance app for Menopause, developed by a female OB/GYN Dr. Louise Newson, is another very useful tool for tracking your symptoms and even includes guided meditations tailored to this phase of life (www.https://www.balance-menopause.com/balanceapp/) Knowledge is power
Oof this is a tough one. I am a pretty active and energetic person. I am curious about a lot of things and will generally try anything that is physically challenging, it has consistently satisfied my nervous system and is my go-to self-care outlet. Lately, though, my drive for intensity has diminished and my recovery time has increased significantly. I find myself sorer after exercise which sends negative thought patterns to my head such as “you’re getting old” or “you’re losing your drive”
Did I say fatigue was a tough one?! Ooh boy, then this one is a doozy. I already have a diagnosis of ADHD, which I have managed pretty well since my first diagnosis in my mid-20s. I got “re-diagnosed” in my early 40s because I had to learn the hard lesson that ADHD does not just get stuffed down by overcompensation and perfectionism.
I look back now at what caused me to seek additional help in my 40s and it was clearly related to the hormonal changes that start to take place during Perimenopause Estrogen fluctuations are intimately tied to ADHD symptoms. As estrogen declines so do dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that not only provides the “feel good” reward mechanism in the brain but it also functions in committing shortterm memory to long-term.
There is a significant drop in estrogen just before menstruation, which accounts for the PMS brain fog, even for those without an ADHD diagnosis. During Perimenopause, these highs and lows are even more dramatic oftentimes leading to greater intensity of symptoms.
A few of the changes I’ve made: Alcohol has been shown to contribute to brain fog, poor sleep, and hot flashes, all of these common struggles in Perimenopause. Cancer and heart disease risk increase once women enter menopause. Alcohol intake of even 1 glass per day further increases the risk of developing both these diseases. For example, one drink per day increases the risk of breast cancer by 5-9%. Studies have also shown reduced incidence of hot flashes and brain fog in premenopausal women who have eliminated or significantly reduced alcohol
wwwelainemelecom elaine@elainemelecom
Outside of the strong scientific evidence that is convincing enough, I just don't have the room or desire in my life to deal with a hangover of any kind or anything that impairs me from functioning at my best Even if it was only on occasion, it just takes too much away from my life experience
I have cut out or reduced gluten, sugar, and most milk products. This is a personal choice that works for my body. My energy peaks and valleys have been noticeably less dramatic, I feel less bloated and less sluggish
I make sure I meet my daily intake of protein, which I have increased to 55g for my 150 lb body (1g per Kg of body weight). Protein has been shown to help with the regulation of hormones during Perimenopause and menopause.
I have also added supplements of 3000 mg Omega-3 / day. Research is mixed, but Omegas 3 s not only helps protect me from heart disease, but it is also an important fat involved in neurotransmission (communication) of nerve cells in the brain and they also reduce overall inflammation, which is always a good thing.
I know that the week before my period I am not functioning at my most optimal, even more so now during Perimenopause. I am fatigued, more forgetful, and more easily frustrated.
There is often very little that helps to mitigate this so I plan ahead and try to get important things that require a lot of focus and concentration did earlier in the month or wait until after I have completed my cycle. I keep my schedule as light as possible, limiting extra activities that would leave me overwhelmed or with poor emotional regulation I schedule more self-care time during this period, which for me means activities that are minimally stimulating such as quality time with my partner, time in nature, meditation, or time listening to relaxing music.
Under time management, I will also include my copious use of sticky notes and write-on boards. Reminders keep me on track and save brain space which in turn saves me loads of time and significantly reduces the negative self-talk that often accompanies my lapses in memory and organization wwwelainemelecom elaine@elainemelecom
I have always been a proponent of regular exercise. It feeds not only my body but my mind and my soul As I have gotten older and have been experiencing more fatigue and decreased tolerance to the stresses in my life, it has been easy to allow too much time to go between exercise bouts To counteract this, I have put myself on an exercise schedule which I stick to, 2-3 days of weights and cardio in addition to a daily walk on my lunch break. The lunchtime walks in particular have tremendously improved my well-being as a caregiver in the healthcare profession. I have also modified my view on exercise, it no longer has to be about intensity and achievement but more about slowly and steadily doing something I enjoy.
Instead of muscling through and pretending, I have everything under control or that my needs can be suppressed, I work on accepting my limitations and speaking them to those close to me who may be affected I have learned, sometimes painfully and begrudgingly that ignoring my challenges not only drains and exhausts me but also negatively affects those around me including my partner, family, friends, and coworkers. And what do you know, when I have voiced my “weakness”, those people who love and care for me have not responded with shaming or criticism but instead have actually appreciated my vulnerability and acknowledgment of the impacts on our relationship This has been an unexpected and welcome bonus by deepening these connections
Acceptance, Compassion, and Celebration
Perimenopause and Menopause will happen to every woman who is lucky enough to reach the 4th, 5th, and 6th decade of life. It is a blessing that comes with its own challenges. Yes, of course, but what blessings don’t?
There is a Native American saying that embodies this trajectory:
“At her first bleeding, a woman meets her power During her bleeding years, she practices it At her menopause she becomes it ”
I believe the power is in accepting the inevitability of change while acknowledging and celebrating all the accomplishments, hard work, and growth experiences that have preceded it. Doing so helps us face this new stage armed with knowledge, resources, and consistent action that fosters participation and empowerment instead of victimhood and passivity
There is power in embracing your flaws. There is power in releasing perfectionism and practicing vulnerability with loved ones because hiding and suppressing only creates shame and fear of being exposed There is power in offering yourself compassion, and being the true support to the Self instead of solely relying on external means There is power in recognizing all you’ve accomplished, overcome, and created by midlife. There is power in action towards knowing Self and adding practices that support your overall well-being. We all deserve it. I am here to help if you need it.
Dr. Elaine Melewwwelainemelecom elaine@elainemelecom
Personal care tips that can help you improve your quality of life and both your physical and mental health Don't forget that when it comes to mental health, self-care can go a long way in managing stress, reducing the risk of disease, and increasing our energy.
Every act of self-care in your day to day can have a great impact on your mental health. Here are some of the tips that will help you achieve it:
Exercise regularly: joining the gym, starting a sport, going for a run, or simply reserving 30 minutes a day to walk can help you a lot to improve your mood and your health.
Eat healthily and hydrate: Something as simple as ensuring a balanced diet and staying sufficiently hydrated can greatly improve the amount of energy we have throughout the day, in addition to greatly benefiting our health. As for the intake of caffeinated drinks, soft drinks, or coffee, it is best that you limit them
A good rest is key: sleeping the necessary hours, in addition to making us feel rested and helping us recover energy, is vital for the development of learning, and memory and also to get away from anxiety and depression
In fact, there are several studies that show that lack of sleep causes discomfort and irritability, increasing the chances of suffering from anxiety disorder and depression. To do this, avoid the light of the telephone or television before going to bed.
Include some relaxing activities: today there are countless programs, applications, and activities dedicated to relaxation and well-being that can help you relax on a daily basis.
Incorporating meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises can also help you achieve this.
Establish goals and priorities: Do not stop being aware of what you want to achieve, what you can expect from it, and what you achieve and achieve every day Any small step can be motivating to take the next one Also, learn to say "no" when there is a new task that you feel is beyond your limits
Focus on the positive and be grateful to yourself: another equally important task is to be able to identify those negative and useless thoughts that prevent you from moving forward and directly challenge them to focus on the positive.
Practice being grateful to yourself, for this, you can write at the end of the day what you are grateful for in your day-to-day and reproduce it later in your mind.
Lean on your circle of friends and family: the emotional support that your friends and family can give you is also essential and if you consider it necessary, you can also rely on the help of a specialist psychologist who can give you the best tools and advice to work even harder. in-depth your mental health and well-being.
Especially if you experience difficulty sleeping, appetite changes, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in things, or inability to carry out your daily responsibilities, do not hesitate to seek professional help and do not wait for the symptoms to get worse.
Why entrepreneurs hit a wall around the 2-year mark of starting their business and what they can do about it.
There is a tongue-in-cheek meme going around which feels true for every entrepreneur starting their business:
If this rings true keep reading!
After all, even as a driven, highly motivated mompreneur following your passions and dreams, you thought it would be somehow easier.
Is your business going through the terrible twos or horrible threes with not much to show for all the sacrifice, time, effort, and money you've put into it?
There’s an explanation for it backed by science.
Your business started as an idea. A spark of inspiration. It felt light-hearted and expansive, and you were heartfelt in the right place as you envisioned this future reality.
But there is an energy shift whenever you bring a creative idea from the metaphysical plane to the physical reality. Whenever an idea begins to take shape in the 3D world, it must pass through something that I call The Crossing.
Iva Perez, Licensed RTTÒ Practitioner- Hypnotherapytheir business, completely uninspired by what was once their dream. Family life might start to take its toll and the business is taking too much energy in the form of time, physical vitality, and creativity, not to mention the money most of them aren’t earning during this time
Just like the meme, they feel they quit a 9-to-5, to start working 24/7 with not much to show for it. The irony is that they’re so close to making their goals a reality, but don’t have the energy they had at the onset of their journey to push through and enjoy momentum.
Your goals will be easier to achieve if you are energetically aligned. What this means is, as author Maria Nemeth once mentioned, “Success is doing what you said you would do with ease.”
Successful people know how energy works and successful entrepreneurs use the energy of their ideas, values, and purpose to bring goals and dreams into physical reality.
For many of us, doing what we said we would do is nothing new. The challenge is to do so with ease. Achieving your goals becomes hard when you’re not able to properly energize your goals. And you energize your goals by:
1 Knowing exactly how energy works
2 Using energy to energize their goals through aligned action
3. Preventing and managing energy leaks
Using the principle of subtractive knowledge, this article will focus on item number three. Preventing and managing energy leaks.
Subtractive knowledge is simply the practice of eliminating the unnecessary and the unimportant. In other words, it is more beneficial to first figure out what not to do
Why? Because in most cases, removing the negative will give better results than adding countermeasures.
The way your energy can be depleted at the juncture between the metaphysical plane and physical reality, aka The Crossing, can fall into three buckets:
· Mental depletion- when you confuse goals with tasks It involves falling into the trap of being busy but not effective. Giving priority to urgent but not important items on your list leaving you feeling drained like you’re constantly putting out fires.
· Emotional depletion- when you believe the Monkey Mind, aka negative looping thoughts Fear and resistance via way of old limiting beliefs give way to unwanted patterns of behavior like procrastination, perfectionism, self-sabotage, and even anxious feelings around control and trust. Working with a trusted certified professional on getting to the root cause of these issues is invaluable in freeing up emotional energy.
· Energetic depletion- failing to understand how your energetic baseline prevents your goals and dreams from manifesting in the real world. Your energetic baseline affects particles around you because everything in the Universe is energy. In quantum physics, this is known as the Observer Effect in which the act of observation alters the behavior of the particles being observed. You can speed up the rate at which your projects materialize by clearing your energy in the metaphysical reality using principles from the Observer Effect.
Because everything is energy, we are also energy We always have the capacity to move energy in the direction of our dreams so we can bring them to fruition. When we close the valve on these energy leaks, we have the energy to do the footwork in physical reality.
The reason your business might be going through the Terrible Two’s phase is that you’re beginning to move an idea from the metaphysical realm into physical reality, and at the juncture of both worlds, the inspiration and fun of the original idea encounter the energy requirement of physical reality. The energy in the 3d world is dense Changing objects and situations in physical reality requires far more focused energy For example, we cannot dream our way into washing our hair or doing the laundry
If you want to give your dreams a physical form, and truly energize them, you must take actions that focus your energy the right way in all three dimensions: mental, emotional, and energetic
Even taking one small step in any of these three areas and removing what is not needed already helps move things along.
For example, at The Crossing, the Monkey Mind gets activated bringing in all sorts of fears and doubts that create even more resistance
Here, the best bet when it comes to tackling overwhelm and anxiety would be to get to the root cause. Removing what is ACTUALLY causing the overwhelm and the anxiety will have a far bigger impact on your productivity and quality of life than the cumulative effect of adding more exercise, massages, nights out with friends or a good cry combined.
Also knowing how to clear up the energy that comes from the world of ideas and desires helps unblock the free flow of what we want right into the physical world.
This means that the idea of having a successful business would mostly bring feelings of joy, fulfillment, and freedom when it gets realized. But if you’re constantly operating from stressed and anxious energy, you cannot energize your actions to tune into the same hi-vibe energetic frequency.
However, despite how challenging the journey might seem, the good news is that all it takes to set the wheels in motion is a powerful intention.
As the New Year looms ahead, take a moment to ask yourself: Would it be all right with me if life got easier?
If you are ready to answer YES then let’s hop on a call today! where I can show you how to energize your goals in three easy sprints. No programs, modules, or boring note-taking. Simply quick action moves that get you closer to your goals with ease
As a Licensed Hypnotherapist, I have studied the science of the mind to help mompreneurs harness their unique mom energy into making their dream life a reality When we work together they clear themselves through short and fun practices that truly ENERGIZE THEIR GOALS.
“What will you do today to create a life you love? The choice is yours. ” This article may be more of a ‘call out’ than I usually do, but sometimes we need some tough love!
It has become such a common rhetoric: “I have no time,” “I’m too busy,” “I never have any time for myself,” etc especially for working moms I mean really, it’s an epidemic!
And it’s technically true, of course! We are busy, we do have a lot of expectations of our day and night, being a mom is a full-time job, then we may have a full-time job, or be building a business, doing all the housework, carrying the full mental load, and so on.
However, it has become a sort of ‘badge of honor.’ And that is just plain toxic.
Because when we encourage each other to be busier, compare our busy-ness with one another, and take pride in being so busy that our health (especially mental health) suffers, then it is harmful in our immediate life, harmful to other women who are struggling and then feel pressured to keep up and harmful to future generations who need to learn how to take care of themselves and be kinder to themselves!
This type of toxic thinking leads to burnout, depression, anxiety, and more. It is necessary to stop and rest. It is healthy to have fun. It is safe to take a break.
People constantly tell me how amazed they are by my time freedom I hear: “How are you sick AND productive AND getting all the rest you need?”, “How can you run multiple businesses, have toddlers at home, and spend HOURS a day on self-care? AND have a clean house?!” And yes, those things are true about me, but not because I’m so busy and never stop! They are true because I stop and because I get enough rest to hold all of that! And not just sleep…
I take pride in things like sitting on the couch doing nothing with a hot cup of coffee, or staring out at the beautiful sunrise before my kids wake up; just enjoying the SILENCE
Being proud of running yourself into the ground is unhealthy. It is false pride because nobody actually enjoys that (this is coming from a recovering people-pleasing, perfectionist, DO-ER). And it perpetuates unhealthy cycles in the world in general.
We, collectively, need to put a stop to this unhealthy habit.
I teach my clients about self-care, but not just one method; I don’t have the magical ‘ one right way ’ Everybody’s lives look different, and everybody’s solutions are different!
The most important thing is that you slow down and fill your own cup at LEAST once a day!
Brianna Hosack Parenting, Productivity & Accountability CoachThis can be accomplished by resetting our priorities and simplifying our schedules. We all have the same 24 hours in a day. And yes, some have more kids than others, and some have special needs & considerations that need to be included. That’s why every situation and plan is unique.
Here are four secrets that I use to create my ideal life and help my clients to do the same
Secret #1 that allows me to live a life I love:
You have as much time as you choose to have. Period, the end, no excuses, no exceptions. You get to decide.
If there are certain things that dictate your time, you still have a CHOICE. You can eliminate them, or you can CHOOSE them to keep them around If your kids give you a tough time all day every day, you can CHOOSE a different parenting style. If your kids don’t sleep well at night you can CHOOSE to try a different sleep schedule, a different sleep style; different sleep training methods exist! If you have a job that sucks your soul dry and has you working 24/7, it is your CHOICE to stay. Of course, the bills need to be paid, but you get to choose how that happens!
There is ALWAYS another option!
Secret #2: Your priorities dictate your time. And only you can dictate your priorities. They are what you care about.
If you care about your work at a job, you may allow a boss to prioritize your time during your working hours. If compensated fairly and if you allow it, you can have a job that chooses how all your time is prioritized, but this is not ideal for anyone, especially not for a mom with young kids at home!
Depending on your parenting style you may choose to allow your kids to prioritize your time for you as well, but you choose the parenting style You are the parent
And so on. I highly recommend sitting with your own thoughts regularly so that you can decipher what your priorities are. It seems like something we should just know instinctively, but it’s not.
How do you figure your priorities out if you’re not sure what they are deep down?
Brain dumps, journaling to dig deeper into your thoughts, discussing it with a friend, family member, mentor, coach, therapist, etc Trial and error The biggest thing is just to try!
Secret #3: Simplify your schedule to have all the time you need.
If you start feeling frantic and overwhelmed by daily life, it’s a good sign that you need to re-evaluate your priorities and remove things from your to-do list and schedule!
Take a good hard look at what you’re giving your time to Be brutally honest with yourself
Are you spending time on social media when you’re avoiding the housework? Are you making hours-long phone calls to friends or family, but avoiding taking the ten minutes to schedule a necessary appointment? Are you volunteering for five different organizations, but have to reheat your coffee five times just to have it be a little warm to drink?
What’s not on your calendar but taking up a lot of your time?
What things are you putting on your schedule that you don’t like to do?
What appointments or commitments are draining your energy more than is healthy?
What things can you remove from your schedule so that you can free up time for YOU?
Now REMOVE THEM. That’s right. Actually do it, or there’s no point in evaluating in the first place!
I resisted this one for a long time. I was raised in a highly religious environment, and it honestly turned me off religion (which was how I defined my spirituality at the time) for a long time.
Over the last couple of years though, my view on spirituality has expanded, and I’ve realized it’s not optional if you want to live a balanced life!
As with everything else I say though, this looks different for everyone. Some people might go to church every Sunday, pray daily, read their scriptures regularly, etc Some may simply practice yoga or meditation Some may go deeper into the ‘woo’ with Tarot, Shamanic Journey, Reiki, etc Maybe all you need is to stand outside and take some deep breaths of fresh air and take in nature’s beauty. It’s all beautiful. It’s all right. It’s all spiritual.
And if you spend time on your spiritual practice regularly, you will be able to find some semblance of balance in your life. Using intuition to direct what you put on your schedule, what your priorities are, and the choices you’re making in your life - is a game changer.
But when we’re caught up in the rush of day-to-day life, and we don’t stop long enough to tap INTO our intuition, we wind up making decisions and prioritizing from our heads, which can be too cluttered to be clear and on track! This is where a spiritual PRACTICE comes in Whatever you choose for your own practice, it should be your top priority, possibly included in your self-care time Getting into alignment regularly keeps everything else on track.
My views may be on the extreme end, but this is the top priority. Without it, our lives descend into chaos and accidents, instead of intention & calm.
Want more time for self-care? Slow your racing mind with some meditation, so you’re clear on when it will fit into your day.
Want to be more present with your kids? Get connected to your intuition so you can get your priorities in order so that you make the time for this Want a date night with your partner every week? Get clear on your priorities, and journal them out Lose something else from your schedule to make it fit.
Want to volunteer? Get brutally honest with yourself. Where are you wasting time elsewhere that could be removed so that you can fit something new in?
What will you do today to create a life you love? The choice is yours.
“Never apologize for being a powerful woman.”
Regina Robinson International Speaker, Publisher, Author & Inner Confidence Strategist
The concept of female empowerment in relation to the scope of gender equality has become very popular in recent years, both in the social sphere and within the business sphere. But what exactly does this concept imply?
Its origin dates back to the IV World Conference on Women in Bijing (Beijing, 1995) and refers to the "increased participation of women in decision-making processes and access to power" with the aim of advancing equity between genders. This is related to the axes of human rights, sexual and reproductive health, and education, considered fundamental for the advancement and increase of the participation of women at all levels in society, also in the economic sphere.
In the words of Sanda Ojiambo, CEO of the United Nations Global Compact, “the evidence is clear: when women are empowered, everyone benefits ” And is that empowering women in economic life and in all sectors is central to:
Build strong economies. Establish more just and stable societies. Achieve internationally agreed goals on development, sustainability, and human rights Improve the quality of life of women, men, families, and communities. Promote business operations and goals.
As we usually say, the commitment to sustainability, and in this case, to SDG 5, must come from the top of the business pyramid so that it can permeate the rest of the organization. In this sense, Principle 1 encourages establishing goals and objectives for the entire company in this matter and measuring progress through clear performance indicators Establishing, in addition, managers at all levels as those responsible for these results
Principle 2. Treat all men and women equally at work – respect and uphold human rights and non-discrimination
This principle have an explicit comm sign it must promote an in k measures, guarantee eq
Principle 3. Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all workers and workers
This principle adds the gender perspective to SDG 3 on health and well-being. In this way, the organization's tasks related to this Objective include the prevention of all forms of violence and sexual harassment at work, the guarantee of equitable access to health insurance for all workers, or the training of personnel to recognize signs of violence against women, among other measures.
Principle 4. Promote the education, training, and professional development of women
Training is a very powerful and valuable weapon in the field of gender equality. For this reason, this principle includes training and awareness in equality, equal access to training, as well as formal and informal programs for the creation of networks and mentors or investment in policies and programs in the workplace that advance the women of the organization.
Principle 5. Implement business development, supply chain and marketing practices in favor of the empowerment of women
Sustainability actions must also take place outside the walls of the company, involving the supply chain. In this case, principle 5 invites companies to establish supplier diversity programs including companies led by women, to eliminate gender stereotypes in all company media and communication material, and to encourage their business partners to adopt WEPs and report on their work on SDG 5.
Principle 6. Promote equality through community initiatives and leading by example
The impact of companies on local development is enormous. For this reason, this principle urges companies to take advantage of the influence of the organization to involve communities and interest groups in gender equality.
Principle 7. Evaluate and disseminate the progress made in favor of gender equality
It is useless to work on the above principles if we do not have a system for monitoring and reporting the results that help us move towards the objectives. That is indeed the goal of this last principle, which must be present in all stages of the entity's work on the matter.
Audrey Lingg Life Engineer Mentor
Mental illness, overwhelm, depression, anxiety, stress, social phobia, panic attacks, trauma & many others are happening more & more in this present time. With the holiday season approaching the need to reach out to or help someone with any or more of the above is crucial.
Here are some tips to help you through the holidays to elevate your mood, create more resilience & enjoy your holiday and life more.
Make Social Connection a priority - face-to-face is best
Few things can beat the power of quality face-to-face time with those you love spending time with, it relieves stress, boosts mood, and is energizing.
Regular exercise or activity may have a major impact on mental and emotional health, relieve stress, improve memory, and help with sleep. Activity is as good for your brain as it is for your body
If you are stressed or worried or have concerns, sharing these with someone who cares is an effective way to calm your nervous system and relieve stress. Talking it out with a friendly face is crucial
Listening to uplifting music, squeezing a stress ball, or taking a walk in nature and enjoying the sights and sounds, helps to calm, center and ground Everyone responds to sensory input a little differently, so experiment to find what works for you
Is it OK to not BE OK
on with life & not stay in the not OK!
Look into doing a relaxation practice
Yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing may help reduce your levels of stress
Make Leisure and Contemplation Time a Priority
We can all be guilty of being “too busy” to take some downtime, but leisure time is a necessity for emotional and mental health. Take some time to relax, contemplate, and pay attention to the positive things as you go about your day– even the small things. Write them down if you can, because they can be easy to forget. Then reflect on them later if your mood is in need of a boost.
Eat Brain-Healthy food that supports strong mental health
Foods that support your mood include fatty fish rich in Omega-3s, nuts, avocados, beans, leafy greens, and fresh fruits.
Get lots of Sleep
Sleep is the body and mind’s best way to recharge and rejuvenate.
Find Purpose and Meaning
This is different for everyone but finding purpose in your day is a big factor in good mental health. You might try one of the following:
Engage in work that makes you feel useful Invest in relationships and spend quality time with people who matter to you Volunteer, which can help enrich your life and make you happier Care for others, which can be as rewarding and meaningful as it is challenging Think of one good deed or gesture to do each day
Get professional help if you need it
If you or a loved one needs support, there are many programs and resources that are available to you in your area.
https://empowered-livingacademy.business.site
Recently, I was reflecting on my early days as a stepparent, remembering many times when I felt uncomfortable as a stepmom
Frustrated and consumed with tension, emotions, and split decisions, I worried about what everyone was thinking about me and what they wanted from me. So badly want to start off all interactions with my “best foot forward.”
This is the cycle I want to explore.
Should I attend my stepdaughter’s chorus concert? How about her back-to-school night?
If not now, when should I start?
Should I say something to my stepdaughter about doing her homework? How would I even say it if I did?
Should I offer to pick her up or drop her off to help out my partner? How will that work without my partner with me?
Sitting next to her mom at cheerleading games and competitions was always stressful… Will she be chatty? Or will she ignore me?
The worst was being an awkward bystander between my partner and my stepdaughter’s mother when they had uncomfortable conversations, such as my stepdaughter not turning in her homework during the week
The stress of getting these things “right,” or at least not getting them go wrong by adding to the tension, would make my stomach queasy and my knees shake.
As a stepparent, can you relate?
Knowing how you feel but also questioning how everyone else is feeling, how they might react and what’s best for your stepchild. Do you find yourself in a constant cycle of worry and uncertainty which only leaves you feeling more frustrated?
For me, the pressure was too much. I felt powerless and indecisive about how to handle things. I felt paralyzed, like I had no voice.
I was swamped with these thoughts and emotions, feeling like I was drowning in them. I remember thinking “no matter what, someone is always disappointed with me and I can’t do anything right.” I felt ineffective and hopeless. Sadly, these are common experiences and dilemmas for stepparents. You might even relate to a few of them yourself.
If you’re finding yourself in a similar situation and experiencing similar feelings, realize these feelings are informing you that something’s off. This is a useful first step to making a change for the better. You don’t need to live this way and there are things you can do to change it.
Imagine for a moment…
Clearly, rationally and calmly thinking through and going to a social event where your partner’s ex will be also and taking powerful action from an intuitive place…
Feeling grounded and content in your decisions and attending your stepchild’s school activities with ease…
Feeling free to confidently show up in your truth every time you attend your partner’s ex-mother-in-law’s Family Thanksgiving potluck dinner without worrying about anyone else’s opinions…
Growing closer in your relationships with your partner and stepchild and delighting in your time together…
All of these are possible for you if you are able to reframe the Worry Cycle into a positive and actionable Stepparenting Cycle. It’s what I did and what I want to share with you in hopes that it will help you as it did me!
When I was young and my parents moved us to America, I had to find my voice, not by choice but in order to survive, because my parents couldn’t help me.
They didn’t have a blueprint for navigating my childhood since we found ourselves in a new country with a new language and a new culture with opposite values that they themselves didn’t understand.
Here are some examples just to name a few (disclaimer: this is from my personal perspective and experience)…
In Soviet Russia, children were treated like possessions; American culture aims to help children become autonomous and independent.
In Soviet Russia, children were expected to listen to their elders who had all the answers; American culture values respecting boundaries and obtaining consent from youth.
In Soviet Russia, citizens were controlled by the government through propaganda, living in fear of retaliation; America values freedom and, at least back then, objective news.
What I was up against, having to move through the newness of the environment on all levels while discovering who I am and my place in the world – essentially becoming a person, was too vastly different from anything they had been through nor could reasonably understand.
It’s not a surprise that though my parents and grandparents had the best of intentions, they just didn’t know how to lead, guide or advise me through this experience, so I had to intuitively find guidance outside of this immediate circle.
My early childhood was spent in an environment where I was silenced. My mom was an only child who was very close with my grandparents and I was their only grandbaby. I was intensely loved, but the attention and energy I received all the time was too much.
My grandparent’s suggestions delivered often and intensely felt critical, controlling, and suffocating and I found myself consistently putting in the effort to quench a deep desire to please them to gain their hard-to-earn approval, which left me feeling depleted and empty.
Through it all, I lost my voice. Most importantly, a little question kept bubbling up inside of me like a quiet, barely audible whisper…What am I doing this for?
All along the message I was receiving was: be a “good girl and obey”. I was exhausted. Feeling like I was trapped in my life and didn’t have the tools to be heard.
Through exposure to different beliefs and a new perspective on life’s purpose and childrearing in American culture, I found freedom and encouragement to challenge the rules of my motherland that were forced on me.
And just like that, I awakened to the power within me to create a life on my terms, not other people’s.
This journey of discovery eventually led me to become a stepmom. I’ve reconnected to and amplified my voice and autonomy. And now, I have a wonderful family who supports me, I love spending time with them, and are my respite, rock, and touchstone.
I don’t believe in accidents. I believe that you are called into your stepchild’s life and the lives of the parents and caregivers that surround them. The same way that these people are called into your life.
To that end, as a stepparent, you are given a unique opportunity. You are coming into the family at a critical time. This season of change ushers in opportunities for growth and recalibration.
These changes are inviting your stepchild and everyone involved to stretch and to see how adaptive, strong, and resilient they are – yourself included.
I know that finding your truth from the little voice deep within and being truly free to make your own decisions are critical milestones and common struggles for most stepparents. Our culture may frown upon or chastise the choices you make to be exactly you and live in accordance with that.
But I believe finding yourself and your purpose is a rite of passage that each of us has to make in order to be truly free to own our unique gifts. We have an opportunity to profoundly impact the next generation by letting them own their full voice and autonomy.
These are things everyone struggles with at different levels even if you’re not aware of it.
In response to this, I founded Synergistic Stepparenting Breakthrough, a proven 5part process to help stepparents transform family chaos into harmonious coparenting by building meaningful and lasting relationships with ease and joy.
I know that you’ve invested a lot of time and energy in the people in this family and that you deeply care about them, you don’t need to give that up just because of challenges.
My methodology helps you build relationships that utilize your personal skills, knowledge, and experience so that you create a strong family foundation that lasts the test of time and weather storms.
All of that is possible for you and I will help you create that life.
I’d love to help you release any frustration and chaos you may be experiencing throughout your stepparenting journey and create harmonious relationships that bring you and your family peace and joy!
Check out my content or book a free call with me at synergisticstepparenting.com/work to find out more!
Until next time, be well!
https://synergisticsteppar enting.com/
Your heart rate increases, your hands get sweaty, and you start to feel a pit in your stomach You’re getting uncomfortable and can’t help but go on the defensive, even with someone you love. Or, especially with someone you love.
We’ve all had those conversations. We’ve all gotten caught up in our emotions Our assumptions Our fears We can all do better, though. Use your emotions and your physical body reactions like alarms that go off
Whenever you find yourself starting to spiral and maybe your sign is that you start making faces in reaction to what your partner says: faces to signal you ’ re disgusted, annoyed, or even eye-rolling.
Catch yourself doing that and just notice it. Notice what you ’ re reacting to.
Are you hurt? Do you feel alone? Do you feel like you aren’t good enough? Do you feel like you aren’t important? Do you feel misunderstood? Like you asking for too much? Not seen or heard? Like you ’ re going to be abandoned? Or, that you ’ re better off alone? Or maybe a combination of these?
NicoleJust notice it. Feel it out in your body. Explore it. Then, share it with your partner.
It doesn’t have to be shared perfectly. But, a genuine, in-the-moment response sharing what is happening for you is incredibly impactful for both people.
A simple pause and “That really hurt me. I need a minute to process this,” is a great way to start.
Once you’ve gotten comfortable with that, take it farther: “I’m uncomfortable with you going out with that group of people after work. I feel like I’m not enough for you to want to come home to so you have to go out on the town and that makes me worried I’m going to be abandoned.”
It can be vulnerable to share those feelings so directly, so work yourself up to that point. You have to feel safe to be brave in that way. And, be okay with it coming out imperfectly – the important thing is letting it out.
When was the last time you actually told your partner what was happening for you or in you, without making it about them? If you’ve been wanting to have a real, honest, and mature conversation, this is the only place to start.
nicole@relationshiptransformation.com
Let Go & Let Love: Free Yourself.
Mor Yelvington Energy Healer / Relationship Coach
Sexual abuse is when somebody uses your sex against you when somebody uses your sexual orientation, or your sexual characteristics to use and abuse you. To take away your power and put you down.
This is happening in this reality
by men to men by men to women. by women to men by women to women
Because this reality is all about oppression, The more you oppress somebody the more control you gain.
When someone uses your sexuality to control you especially if this was happening when you were a young child or a young teenager you will start being controlled from a very young age.
Then you've already given away your power. You are easier to control and manipulate but also you would carry on these patterns, you could possibly do the same to your children/ partners because that's all you know
Or you can choose to heal that place, that's broken AND stop this cycle of abuse By healing your POWERHOUSE and choosing awareness…
YOU can let go and release that trauma from your body.
Stop the cycle.
Even if you don't physically abuse your children or your partner, there can be an abusive demeanor to your behavior and your tone of voice.
It comes from the need to control because you lost control in the situation and so when somebody takes your power away, It's very possible you are going to spend your life, trying to gain your power back by controlling others because that is the place that you know how to control from this oppressive abused place.
Fear-based place
Not from awareness.
According to research one out of the three women, and one out of six men Have experienced some form of sexual abuse,
In order to eradicate sexual control from our planet we need to work together men and women to stop the use of sex, violence, and fear to oppress humanity into control
What we really need is awareness.
Because the truth is Once somebody abuses you Even though they get the notion that they're in control, the reality is, under the surface, it's creating a fire To Fight for your Life
Are you one of those people with the fire desire to heal the fire to shift the fire to change the fire to burn this reality
And create a whole new paradigm of people men and women that are willing to stand together.
Connect to their true essence
Activate their highest vibration And create the life, they desire.
That is my mission on this planet... To eradicate sexual abuse.
That is the lowest form of abuse.
Because it can literally take your power away And now it's held in the hands of your abuser.
until we release it, until we let it go, until we heal the cells and the molecules, until we heal the cellular memory, until we can erase the feeling of our body and reclaim our power.
When somebody sexually abuses you, they taint your body with their body and yourselves mixed together and emerged.
That's why it's so hard for so many victims to move on to healing because they’re particles of the other person still in your body.
YOU can talk about it in therapy for years OR you can shove it down, pretend it never happened, and pretend to move on.
But until you really clear and heal that stuff from your body it's not really going anywhere, you're not really going anywhere.
You always feel one step forward, two steps back, The pressure and the energy of carrying that is can create:
Stress anxiety, insomnia, Body pain and much more.
So I'm here to tell you that you don't have to suffer anymore, you don't have to carry it on you anymore.
Now, is the time and space.
To heal your POWERHOUSE and reclaim your power!
You are here for a reason I see you Mor
Thank you for the support in this edition. We are already working to bring you even more in the next edition
If you want to promote your business or be our Guest Columnist, write to bempowerwomen@gmail.com
Remember that you can listen to us on the podcast "BEmpower Women, The Talk Show"
