Stay Productive Through Intense Emotions
Today, I might not feel motivated to do my job. I might feel bored by the mundane tasks ahead or uninspired by the effort it takes to move through the day. I might not feel like working. But over the years, I’ve learned how to manage my emotions. Through consistent practice and training, I’ve worked […]
Why Feelings Matter
How are you? How are you doing? What are you feeling? These questions are everywhere, but they’ve mostly turned into polite greetings. We often respond with a quick, “Fine,” “Can’t complain,” or “Not bad.” But what if we paused and asked ourselves, “What am I really feeling right now?” A lot of us might feel […]
Mindfulness on Demand
Because I got hit by a car, I’m very limited in movement right now. Everything takes longer, requires help, and many activities I enjoy are off-limits for now. Getting through the day takes a lot of patience with myself. Even something as simple as a shower is a slow, careful process. I have to stay […]
Stop Giving Advice
A few years ago, I made the decision to stop giving unsolicited advice. It’s been tough to stick with, especially when someone opens up and I think I have the perfect solution. The urge to fix problems is strong. But I’ve come to believe that resisting that impulse makes me a better, kinder person. When […]
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 […]
Get Over It
If I’m feeling annoyed and someone says, “Just think differently. You have so much to be grateful for,” even if that’s true, it can be infuriating. This kind of advice simplifies what’s actually a complicated emotional process. It’s dismissive to expect someone to bulldoze through their pain and reach happiness without acknowledging the middle ground—the […]
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 […]
Recovering from a Mistake
The other day, I lost all my work by hitting the wrong button and forgetting to turn on my backup. I hate making mistakes. It feels like such a setback. Trying again after a mistake is frustrating, sometimes even more challenging than the first time. It’s scarier, more draining, and often requires new ideas or […]
Comparing is Dangerous
I was watching a documentary about poverty and homelessness in the U.S., and I got curious about the comments. A lot of people were saying things like, “I thought I had it bad, but now I know to be grateful.” One person even shared an old saying: “I felt bad for myself because I had […]
