You’re here to live, not just to hustle…

You are not a machine. You’re 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 to 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 it 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 for a meaningful life. 

— Unknown 

My favourite therapist says that life will always be up and down, or “fair to middlin’” if we remain caught up in the to-do list. He believes that focusing on our moments of joy, however small at times, is the answer to living a more rewarding life. Just sayin’ ;) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

Forgetting where you come doesn’t liberate you, it orphans you…

The Akan concept of Sankofa is represented by a bird looking backward while moving forward. The message is “ Go back and get it.” You must retrieve wisdom from the past to move into the future. Forgetting where you come from dosen’t liberate you; it orphans you… The shape of your becoming must include the shape of your origin. You can’t transcend what you haven’t integrated. So look back, retrieve what you left behind, and bring it forward.

— Rob Brezsny

I’ve been sorting through the rubble of my childhood, on and off, for some years now, but things really ramped when my mother passed away. It sounds horrible to say, but I was relieved when it was finally over. I mean, the troubled relationship. Try as I might, while my mother was alive, I could not put a dent in whatever stood between us. So I’ve been back in therapy this year and what I’ve learned is that key, emotional moments stand frozen in time, until they are located and treated with the tender, loving care they need to rest easy. Just sayin’ :) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

 

When you move, your body releases mood lifting chemicals…

My therapist told me:

Anxiety feeds on stillness. When you sit frozen in your thoughts, your mind can feel like a cage. 

But the moment you move, whether it’s a walk, a stretch, or even doing the dishes, your body starts releasing chemicals that lower stress and lift your mood.

Movement reminds your brain you’re not stuck. You’re safe.

— Unknown 

It’s amazing how that works. I was feeling grumpy recently and pretty much went on strike both personally and professionally for the morning. Luckily, a work call got my butt in gear and I forgot all about the downs. Having said that, my favourite therapist says it’s also important to feel what you’re feeling, as this too eases tension. Just sayin’ ;) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

 

Your body and mind can pick up on things…

Trust the energy that you are feeling about certain people and situations. Your body and mind can pick up on things that don’t exactly make sense to you right away. There is a reason you are feeling this way, and though you might not know what that is, you should trust it anyways, and always follow your intuition.

— Unknown

I’ve found this to be true, even with small things throughout the day. For example, I wanted to bring my laptop with me for the day (in addition to my iPhone and iPad, which are enough to manage). I had a flash thought to bring the charger cord, but thought I remembered charging the laptop recently. So of course when I go to tick off some laptop to-do’s (because with the cyber risks these day, I can no longer use my other devices for certain tasks. Super annoying), I run out of juice. Dang it. Why didn't I listen to that little voice. Just sayin’ ;) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl  

Honesty won’t ruin a real thing…

Healing taught me that honesty won’t ruin a real thing. Speaking on your feelings won’t lose you anything worth having. Setting boundaries won’t scare off proper people & authenticity won’t cost you genuine relationships. Remember that the next time you feel like shit because someone pulled way from you for respecting yourself, sharing your feelings, setting a boundary, and/or holding them accountable. 

— Unknown 

It’s never too late to learn about boundaries and having your own back. Unfortunately, I did not learn healthy relationship skills growing up, but I’ve certainly learned a ton from therapy and relationship workshops. I can’t imagine going back to my ineffective skills of suffering in silence and making exhausting compromises. After my last relationship I finally realized I’d rather be alone than be in a mismatched relationship. I decided I would no longer do things I really don’t want to do (like hiking, visiting a little island on a bike! I am no outdoorsy person, Lol). Just sayin’ ;) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

Don’t worry too much…

Don’t worry too much about how you are going to get it all done. Get started, learn as you go, and it will all come to you. Action creates momentum, and momentum energizes you to keep going.

—  Averstu.com

Is it just me, or is life far too hectic. Even social media can feel like a to-do at times. I find I need to coach myself, and tell myself that everything will get done. Just take it one day at a time, and 1 item at a time. My favourite therapist says to focus on the simple things in life, and build in nothingness time. Just sayin’ ;) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

Breaking the shackles of generational curses…

Individuals who possess the ability to heal themselves can be likened to highly skilled alchemists of life. They possess the remarkable capability to transmute their own suffering into an enduring source of inner strength, converting the scars of their past into profound wisdom. These resilient souls adeptly translate the mistreatment they may have experienced from others into firm, unyielding boundaries, while skillfully recognizing the warning signals embedded within the tantrums of their inner wounded child. Moreover, they exhibit the extraordinary capacity to break the shackles of generational curses, ultimately turning them into a series of remarkable blessings. 

— Miguel Angel 

To sulk over the injustices we’ve suffered, or to rise above and become stronger, and probably more successful and happy? I’ve been working on this for a really long time and I find the family of origin issues the toughest nut to crack. In my experience, it’s the whole inner child thing that needs extra love, care and attention. Just sayin’ :) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl