10 things that require zero talent…

1. Being on time
2. Making an effort
3. Being high energy
4. Having a positive attitude
5. Being passionate
6. Using good body language
7. Being teachable
8. Doing a little extra
9. Being prepared
10. Having a strong work ethic

— Unknown

There you go. So we can actually go a long way, even if we feel we’re lacking the innate talent to succeed at something we have our eye on. We can learn and we can work at it. They say it takes 10,000 hours to be elite at anything anyway. Just sayin’ ;) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

Look out for glimmers, and find more joy…

Today I learned about a term called “glimmer.” Which is the opposite of a trigger. 

Glimmers are those moments in your day that make you feel joy, happiness, peace or gratitude. 

Once you train your brain to be on the lookout for glimmers, these tiny moments will appear more and more. 

— Unknown 

I really like the idea of that. Much better than triggers, which are jarring and upsetting. Just sayin’ :) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

The cost of stress on our bodies…

Psychology says when we face constant stress and uncertainty, our bodies learn to live in survival mode. We stay alert, tense and exhausted. Always waiting for the next thing to go wrong. Even in moments of calm, our minds don’t relax. It’s not because we’re overreacting, it’s because our nervous system has forgotten what safety feels like. 

— Unknown 

That makes a lot of sense. I’ve worked with a traditional therapist for many years, including countless, therapist-led weekend relationship seminars, to tackle post-traumatic stress from a troubled childhood and ongoing family dynamic. I ended up working with a Craniosacral/Body Talk therapist to tackle my physical issues. I’ve had digestive issues my whole life, and I pursued this alternative option out of desperation. I was tired of stomach aches and all the food sensitivities (the traditional health care system, and naturopathic options had no solution). The Craniosacral and Body Talk therapies have been pretty miraculous for me. They seem to calm my nervous system and allow my digestive system to function better. Just sayin’ :) Hugs and good luck. XO 

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Prioritize moments of joy like your life depends on it…

You are not a machine. You are a soul who needs music, connection, sunsets, laughter, and small pockets, of joy. Prioritize them like your life depends on it because it does. Life isn’t meant to be a cycle of stress and survival. Pause. Look up. Let the sunset remind you: you’re here to live, not just hustle. Life is not a to-do list. It’s a gift. Walk slower. Hug longer. Laugh louder. Love deeper. The clock may be ticking, but your presence is timeless. We’ve been conditioned to believe that constant productivity equals worth, but humans weren’t designed for endless output. We need moments of wonder, connection and rest not as rewards for hard work, but as essential ingredients of a meaningful life.

— Unknown 

Great reminder. I know I can be quite the busy bee. I love ticking to-do’s, and seeing results. But I do feel, at least in North America, we can spend altogether too much time working. So I am challenging myself to find more moments of joy each day. One thing I’ve been doing is visiting the kitty cat cafe for an hour. I’m unable to have pets, due to work travel, and this is such a great fill in. Just sayin’ :) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl

Healthy distancing…

Distancing

yourself from people who give you negative vibes or unhealthy energy is self-care. Stepping back from situations where you feel unappreciated or disrespected is self-care.

Choose to honour your feelings and boundaries, respectfully and gracefully.

— Marc and Angel, Power of Wordz

My favourite therapist taught me about “having my own back”. It seems silly in hindsight, but I didn’t even consider questioning duty and obligation. I thought there were certain things you had to do, particularly for family and long term friends. I didn’t see where I was abandoning myself. Just sayin’ :) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

Repeated silence can become self-sabotage…

Discernment matters

Because while silence can be powerful, repeated silence in the face of mistreatment becomes self-sabotage.

You’re not providing strength by enduring what wounds you. You’re not choosing peace by allowing cycles of disrespect. 

When you truly know your worth, you stop just “rising above”. You walk away. You cut the cord. You stop explaining yourself to people committed to misunderstanding you. 

Boundaries aren’t reactions—they’re revelations. Of who you are. Of what you allow. And of what you’re never going to tolerate again.

—Unknown 

I “rose above” and thought I was choosing peace for years. But in the end, I realized I was walking on egg shells and/or biting my tongue far too often. Just sayin’ :) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl  

No longer apologizing for…

Things I’m no longer apologizing for: 

My feelings. Having firm boundaries. Saying no to something I’m interested in doing. Being emotional or crying. Not answering the phone when I can’t or don’t feel like it. Needing to take a break. Asking for clarity when I don’t understand. How other people behave. Changing and becoming better. Not agreeing with someone. Putting myself first. I can’t be anything to anyone if I am nothing to myself. Not settling for less than I deserve. Letting go when I need to. Healing at my own pace. 

— Alex Elle, VYBESOURCE.COM

The two that stand out for me are; no longer apologizing for how other people behave and putting myself first. I spent waaay too many years people pleasing and walking on egg shells. Simply exhausting. I honestly don’t think I would have gotten there without therapy. Just sayin’  ;) Hugs and good lucking. XO 

Blessings,

Chatgirl