So often in this world, we are encouraged to push down our feelings, wants, and needs so that we don’t take up too much space or inconvenience anyone. We worry that if we embody our true self, we won’t be accepted or fit in with others. They may judge, criticize, dislike, or even outright reject us. These fears lead us to abandon ourselves and become chameleons who blend in and adapt simply to please others. We play small, conform, and eventually lose touch with who we are, how we feel, and what we want and need. This lack of identity can happen slowly over time without us even realizing it. This year, join me in re-connecting with your authentic self, learning to tap into your unique power and make a contribution in this world. We all have a special purpose and reason for existence on this planet, and it is our duty to share it with the world. We need the authentic YOU - you matter!

As this year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to celebrate YOU. Why you ask? Because you have done incredible things throughout this past year - each and every one of you. Big things, little things, hard things, easy things, surprising things, and things that have led you to being the amazing person that you are in this moment now. I’m very proud of you and have truly enjoyed being part of your journey throughout the past year. And you should be proud of you too! To help you tune into and recognize your success, I’d encourage you to look over these journal prompts and consider them. If you do nothing else, I invite you to identify 2-3 things that you did well this year or that you’re proud of – doesn’t matter if they are big or small. They are all an important part of our journey and they’re all worth celebrating. Happy New Year!

While the winter and holiday season can be a time of joy and excitement, it can also be a source of stress, overwhelm, and exhaustion for many.  The pressure to please and make everyone happy can be compounded by our own grief and loss, nostalgia for past memories, health issues, and concerns about the uncertainty of the world right now. 

Despite the pressures, I strongly encourage you to prioritize your wellbeing over the holidays, especially if you are someone who tends to neglect yourself, push through, and over-function at this time of year.  Here are some questions to reflect upon as we dive into this busy time of year and prepare for 2024.

While the high temperatures here in Pennsylvania do not feel like fall is on its way, I wanted to provide you with some ideas to consider because I will be on maternity leave within the next week.

As we say goodbye to summer and transition into fall, it can be a perfect time to reflect on the upcoming season. I see autumn as a time to take inventory of what needs to "fall away." Just as the leaves on the trees naturally change color and fall to the ground every year without fail, we can use this time to reflect on what needs to change in our lives and what needs to fall away completely as well. I've experienced that being in tune with the cycles of the seasons provides great value and harmony so I'd encourage you to explore what this new season may be offering to you as well. Here are some journaling prompts that I use - consider actual things in your life like an object or a relationship as well as things like habits, patterns, thoughts, beliefs, etc. Feel free to grab a cup of hot tea, snuggle with a cozy blanket, and consider some of these questions either in your head or by writing your thoughts down.

Because the summer often represents the halfway point in the year, it can be a great opportunity to check in with ourselves, evaluate progress toward our goals, and make any adjustments or additions as needed to meet our current circumstances. I encourage you to be curious, open-minded, and compassionate as you do this internal work rather than allowing that judgmental or harsh inner critic to take over. Celebrate your successes (no matter how small) and identify any shifts that you want to make as the second half of the year unfolds. Here are some journal prompts to consider as part of this reflection process. I hope you find them helpful!

While the winter and holiday season can be a time of joy and excitement, it can also be a source of stress, overwhelm, and exhaustion for many. The pressure to please and make everyone happy can be compounded by our own grief and loss, nostalgia for past memories, health issues, and concerns about the uncertainty of the world right now.

Despite the pressures, I strongly encourage you to prioritize your wellbeing over the holidays, especially if you are someone who tends to neglect yourself, push through, and over-function at this time of year. Here are some questions to reflect upon as we dive into the busy month of December and finish out 2022.

Fall has arrived....at least for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere :) Here in Pennsylvania, the leaves are starting to change, it’s getting darker earlier in the evening, and there is a chill in the air. I like to periodically utilize journal prompts for reflection, especially when a change in seasons occurs. Regardless of where you're located, it can be helpful to check in with ourselves every so often, examining how far we've come and where we'd like to go moving forward.