Programming My Personal Operating System
I was raised with a strict, old-world upbringing. I felt limited and wanted more independence. As a young adult, I rebelled, rejecting those ingrained patterns without creating new ones. The result? A chaotic life filled with last-minute scrambles to meet deadlines, the adrenaline rush of perpetually running late for appointments, and financial stress from late […]
First Things First
There are times when I’m working on a project and become constantly distracted. I try to write, but my mind starts bouncing from thought to thought: vacation plans, a lunchtime craving, even work-related detours like emails or project ideas. This likely happens because I haven’t truly committed to the writing task at hand. I sit […]
What Do I Get
I can lose sight of how sweet my life is sometimes. I get caught up in all the things I need to do and forget to notice what’s already there. On those days, weeks, months, I get caught in the grind of my daily work, I don’t notice my accomplishments, and everything turns into a […]
Getting to Know Me
We make countless decisions every day, all based on the information and experiences we’ve accumulated throughout our lives. Why did we choose that salad for lunch? Why didn’t we book that beach vacation? Why did we react a certain way when talking to that person? These choices, big and small, are shaped by the “self” […]
Resistance and Discomfort
When I start a new habit or make a change in my life, I can feel a strong resistance in my mind and body. I want to do the task, believing it will improve my life, but there’s a struggle to follow through. Our brains are wired to avoid discomfort. So, when I ask myself […]
The Power of Now
We hear it all the time: “be present,” “live in the moment.” But, what exactly does that mean? It’s not about ignoring your to-do list or forgetting about responsibilities. It’s about focusing on what’s happening right now. Our minds love to jump ahead, worrying about deadlines and errands. But that constant “what next?” can steal […]
The Fixer
When someone comes to me with a problem, my inclination is to find solutions. I think we’ve all felt this way; if someone we love is struggling through something, we want to use our knowledge and our resources to help them resolve their issue as quickly as possible. Why, then, do leading experts say that […]
Mad About You
Some people think that because I’m interested in practicing mindfulness and work on my well-being means I never get angry, sad, or disappointed. The truth is, I experience a full range of emotions. My intention with self-work isn’t to suppress emotions, but to manage them productively. My goal is to respond rationally rather than react […]
Time Takes Time
Instant gratification. We all want it, me included. We crave the satisfaction of seeing our efforts pay off immediately. The uncertainty of whether the goal is worth the time, or even achievable, can be nerve-wracking. However, dwelling on these anxieties only leads me to paralysis. I have to remember that progress takes time. It took […]
It’s Not Your Fault
There are so many experiences in my life that I can blame for holding me back. Like many people, I have been taken advantage of, dismissed, and treated unfairly. Those times have discouraged me and gave me excuses to stall my progress. But here’s the thing: dwelling on blame won’t get me anywhere. I can […]
