Why You Have to Love Yourself to Get the Things You Want

It all starts with loving yourself. Did you wince? Does self love make you uncomfortable? Does it feel vain and self- absorbed? Does the thought of looking into your own eyes in the mirror and saying "I love you" make you want to hurl? I get it, and I felt like this for a long

Eleven Ways to Make the End of Winter More Fun

This time of year always holds so much promise, but tends to drag on as we dream of flowering trees and days at the beach. This year, especially, with lockdown restrictions just easing up, many of us are feeling especially cooped up and are ready for a change of seasons. Here are ten ways to

A Message and Reminder When Your Spirits are Down

It's ok to feel sad, tired, or worn out right now. It's ok if you're struggling, or if the days all seem to bleed together. It's ok if you can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel. The light is always there in the distance, but some days the fog makes it

So, You Want to Move to a Small Town? Read This First.

The majestic, small town beauty of the Oregon Coast I dreamed of, and ultimately left. Vasiliki Volkova/ Unsplash. I used to idealize life in a small town. Knowing my neighbors? How dear. Limited options? What a relief. Big fish in a small pond? Confidence boost. While life in a small town does have its charms,

16 Ways to Find More Joy and Feel Happier During The Pandemic

This pandemic can be overwhelming. This winter feels like the last leg of a long run. We’re tired, tempted to give up, and yet we know how much better we’ll feel if we just stick to it and finish.  Many of us won’t be seeing family this holiday, and while we see the light at

15 Ways to Beat SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) This Winter

*obligatory disclaimer that I am not a doctor or licensed psychologist, and the following information is based on personal experience and research If you dread winter because you associate it with a particularly low mood, you might be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder, or, SAD. Most people in Northern climates experience some version of the winter blues.

30 Life Lessons I’ve Learned in 30 Years

"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." -Maya Angelou If only I'd known then what I know now... As I reflect on my twenties, which are officially behind me, I don't regret the mistakes I made. The guys dressed head-to-toe in red flags. The frenemies I

11 Tips to Stay Healthy and Fit During the Pandemic

Dainis Graveris/Unsplash It's a common coping mechanism to load up on comfort food and queue the Netflix when life is stressful, and hey, there's nothing wrong with that from time to time! In fact, I often enjoy the routine a couple of times a week. With that said, it's easy to overdo it and before

3 Things You Can Do to Move On and Stay Focused When Life is Frustrating

Some people say anger and frustration are secondary emotions, and argue that they are not emotions on their own. I used to believe them. Anger is sometimes an emotion that needs feeling and expressing, even if it is wildly unpleasant. You can't will it away, and years of suppressing it often leads people to have

10 Things You Can Do to Stay Sane and Reduce Stress During Election Week

Tonik/Unsplash If you’re stressed about the US election this week, you’re not alone. Cities are preparing for post- election violence and unrest. As if that wasn’t enough, crisis lines and counseling services have been seeing an increase in demand. So, your election anxiety is justified. Whatever you are feeling, just let it pass through you. Don’t fight it.