Quote of the Month
We cannot decide what happens to us, be we can decide what happens in us. How we take the raw stuff of life and make it a thing of beauty. That is the test of living.
–Matt Miller (accident and head trauma survivor)
Confession: I’ve never liked roller coasters, haunted houses, or scary movies. My nervous system just isn’t made for those kinds of thrills. Yet these days I feel like I’m living in a haunted house without an exit. Can you relate? I know many of my clients can.
The benefit of this destabilizing discomfort is that it’s prompted me to double down on old and new strategies for staying grounded – not just for my own well-being, but so I can be the person and leader I want to be for others.
Here are a few strategies to help you be a leader in your own life even when facing internal doubts and external challenges.
- First, recognize that leadership begins with self-awareness. Take time to understand and ground yourself in your values, and strengths. One way to do this is to write 2- 3 examples of when you’ve been “at your best” in or outside of work. Notice the themes, the values, and the impact you’ve had. This clarity becomes your compass when everything else feels uncertain.
- Boundaries are your friend! Learn to say “no” to demands that drain you without guilt. Also – and this is a hard one for me – learn to protect yourself from too much news, doom scrolling, or social media comparison. Your energy is finite and precious—direct it intentionally toward what truly matters.
- Embrace progress not perfection. During turbulent times, small wins matter enormously. Break larger goals into manageable steps and celebrate completing each one. This builds momentum and confidence when everything else feels overwhelming.
- Practice resilience through self-compassion. It can be as simple as putting your hand on your heart or belly while offering yourself a few words of kindness – words you would naturally share with a friend who was hurting. “I’m here and I care” may be a place to start.
By focusing on these principles, you can navigate life even when it feels like a roller coaster.
Cool Podcast
Thanks to my sister-in-law Ronnet for turning me on to this super useful and inspiring podcast, “Gather at the Well: Human-Centered Leadership” with Lindsey Fuller.
Cool Book
What a joyful surprise to have my book, Where Have I Been All My Life? featured in the Reading is My Therapy Facebook Group!
As the page owner writes:
- What happens when the life we’ve built no longer feels like our own?
- How do we heal from the loss of those who defined us?
- Can we ever truly know ourselves if we’ve spent years trying to meet others’ expectations?
- This book is more than a memoir—it’s a call to wake up, to reconnect with our authentic selves, and to embrace the messiness of being human.
Cool App
The iChill app offers user-friendly tools to regulate emotion and build resilience.
Be gentle with yourself.
Leave a Reply