Today I am practicing new coping skills to help reduce stress and anxiety. I've learned I need to practice when I am NOT feeling stressed or overwhelmed. I'm committed to setting myself up for success; and I invite you to join me in my latest experiment. Today we are going to practice Being Present.

anxiety, grief, depression, addiction, stress, coping, change, transformation, present, awareness

Over the last week I have used visualization to help me inventory the tools I have to reduce anxiety, and then to begin creating an Anxiety Toolbelt. The process has been more difficult than I had expected. The process has proven quite effective in increasing my self awareness about the coping mechanisms I currently use, as well as the ones I want to practice.

anxiety, depression, grief, self awareness, honesty, change, transformation, coping

I'm starting a new project...REDUCING ANXIETY! I am motivated to do the work required to make changes. I am determined to tackle this project honestly. I am hopeful I will succeed in this project once I have the right tools for the job. Today I began building my Anxiety Toolkit.

anxiety, fear, stress, coping, change, self talk, self aware, self esteem, self care

We all have stories of good versus evil, the heroes and the villains, the good guys versus the bad guys. Where do your stories come from? Are they based in YOUR experiences or someone else's? The villainous characters in the stories in our heads are just that...characters! Sometimes we need to change the story, and sometimes we just need to change the characters. This is my story of how the villain in my head changed, which completely changed the story and me!

mental health, disability, addiction, poverty, racism, sexism, bias, CHANGE

The Story in My Head this week was a product of my insecurities, my attitude and my imagination! I re-told an event in my head several times, and I changed it slightly each time. I ended up with a whole new version of the event and shot myself in the foot. Here is a mid-week quickie about changing the tone of your story.

anxiety, insecurity, communication, relationships, change, tone of voice, self awareness

The Story in My Head about being a failure changed dramatically (and quickly) when a man in a coffee shop called me a failure... and my insides went nuts! Today's mid-week quickly is my experience changing my definition of being a failure.

anxiety, depression, failure, success, change, transition, self image, self esteem, self acceptance, self love

The Story in My Head has completed creating Frank the Forgiveness Octopus. Today's quickie is the fifth segment of my story...my journey of forgiving myself and others.

forgiveness, amends, relationships, self care, transformation, healing, grief, addiction, change, marriage, communication

The Story in My Head has a main character named Frank. He's a forgiveness octopus. I'm focusing on the 8th aspect (Frank's leg, tenticle, arm) of my forgiveness octopus...forgiving myself! Today's quickie is the fourth part of my story...my journey towards forgiving myself and others.

forgiveness, self esteem, worth, anxiety, depression, relationships, self care, transformation, healing, grief, addiction, change, authenticity