Becoming What You Repeat
I am going to do it again today—repeat the basic routine I promised myself. I make sure to do at least some small movements and mind-healthy workouts. I allow simple exercises to count: meditating for a minute, taking a walk around the block, journaling, etc. Sometimes I do longer workouts; sometimes I do just enough […]
Managing the To-Do List
Today, like you, I have a list of things I need to do. I have to get out of bed. I have to get dressed. I have to feed myself. I have to exercise. The list goes on. We all know that feeling. And as the list builds, so can feelings of dread. The more […]
Dealing with Disruption
I’ve developed a few routines for my day to help things go smoother—including some physical and mental exercises like planking, yoga, writing. I’ve done these long enough that I don’t need to think about it; I just move from one habit to the next. That’s what I love about repetition. But what happens when that […]
Fighting Loneliness
Life feels really hard sometimes. Right now, more people feel isolated than ever. Experts are even calling loneliness a modern epidemic. We don’t naturally run into each other like we used to. Many of us work remotely, cutting off the casual connections we’d have during the day. Our devices give us information we once had […]
Shifting Mindsets with Simple Tricks
My brother, Michael, recently showed me a clever way he taught his kids to “trick” their minds when faced with something they resist. During my visit, he told his 4-year-old it was time for medicine, which brought instant tears. The anticipated taste was enough to cause a meltdown, so Michael reminded him they could use […]
How Mental Tools Aid Healing
I have a cast on my right arm and hand because of a fracture near my wrist. Interestingly, this cast isn’t what’s healing the bone itself. My body is doing that on its own, slowly. So why wear a cast? It’s not a magic fix; it’s there to protect me from doing more harm while […]
Programming My Mind
I’ve had a daily routine for years that includes consuming mindful information—things like managing emotions, boosting productivity, or overcoming overwhelm. You’d think I’d have all the answers by now. A lot of the lessons and tools I come across these days are familiar, sometimes just repackaged in different words or with a new example. So, […]
What Do I Want
I’ve noticed times when I’m caught in a negative spiral, spending my day focused on what I don’t want. Whether it’s dreading a project, not wanting to talk to someone, or even disliking where I live, these thoughts can weigh me down. It’s not wrong to acknowledge what I don’t want, but it becomes exhausting […]
Stop Suffering
Every day brings its own set of challenges. Just when I think I’ve found my rhythm for a productive day, that’s when I get a flat tire on my bike. Or I catch a cold that knocks me out. Or a family member calls with bad news. What I’ve learned is that there’s no such […]
Get Unstuck in One Minute
I rolled my eyes the first time someone suggested I make a gratitude list. Meditation seemed like a waste of productive time, and yoga? That was for hippies. It took me a while to realize that I was responding out of ignorance—rejecting things I’d never sincerely tried. Nothing keeps me more locked into ignorance than […]
