We live in a world where we don’t live from the inside out, more from the outside in, seeking validation from external sources. Following, striving, and numbing feelings to get to an often-unattainable vision of accomplishment—because there will always be something or someone else to follow. I often hear myself or friends say, “I should do this” or “I’ll be happy when I’ve achieved this,” despite true happiness being the absence of the search for it. Life is not a to-do list—a selection of goals to be achieved at the end of which is satisfaction. Isn’t that putting off true contentment? The here and now matters.
Read moreChoose life
I started journalling gratitude before COVID, but slowing down really made me understand that what I have in my life is more than enough. And the few days I spent visiting family were times that made me confront my own mortality and understand how lucky I am to have the gift of life.
Read moreForever grateful
Life as we know it has changed forever. Anyone else getting flashbacks of what life used to be like? Truth be told, I get overwhelmed with the constant stream of messages on social media to “power through” and “come back stronger” and the constant feed of memes and pictures of fancy home gym and office set-ups. Maybe the “brave new world” isn’t what some of us are ready for right now, and the discomfort we’re feeling is touch starvation, attachment issues, relationship conflicts, lack of purpose, anxiety…and sheer grief.
Read moreThis is for me and you.
A couple of my friends labelled themselves as “broken” when I was chatting with them recently about how they feel mentally or physically. Not only did this prompt me to think of what I could say to them to make them feel even a little bit better, but it made me reflect on all of the harsh self talk I bombard myself with and how I could fight back. Here’s what I came up with…this is for me and you.
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