The Me-Time Mixtape: Three essential hand-curated links and resources on creative self-care. Carve out some me time this week!
Today's guided meditation (with a visualization) on self-belonging is a fun, relaxing way to recognize what makes you special. It's so important to reflect on that from time to time, especially when times are hard. Whether at work or in social situations (like holiday parties), we may struggle to feel that we belong, and in those moments, it's good to have a mental framework to fall back on.
I hope this guided meditation offers you that framework. Have a listen whenever you need to remember some of the special ways that you belong to yourself.
📢After today's episode, I'll be taking a break from the podcast over the holidays. I'll be back in the new year, on January 1, with the first episode of season three, and I have some surprises in store for you. It's time to mix things up with some famous and timeless verses.*
*Teaser: We'll start with a Khalil Gibran quote and the topic of overthinking in the first season three episode. Look for it on January 1st!
#1 A Letter of Thanks to Family Caregivers 💌
Dear Family Caregiver,
I see you waking up early, visiting hospital bedsides, making meals, cleaning, taking care of finances and legal matters, and making decisions with doctors, family members, insurance companies, and banks. Whether you take care of an ailing parent, a friend, or a child, you may wear many hats: accountant, teacher, financial advisor, claims adjuster, medical coordinator, cook, cleaner, friend, confidant, and partner.
You aren’t invisible. I see you. Here’s what I admire most about you:
You go the extra mile to keep your loved one safe. You don’t cut corners and you spread your love by taking action.
You are so strong and brave, and you accept the full responsibility of adulting.
You put your needs aside sometimes to help your loved one. You are giving (even when it's difficult for you to be giving).
You make difficult decisions even when you aren’t sure how things will work out.
You help your loved one navigate the world and be seen and heard, especially when they can’t do it for themselves.
You positively impact your loved ones’ journey, opening up opportunities for them medically, socially, physically, and emotionally.
In short, you make a difference. I have just one more request of you, dear family caregiver, don’t forget to take some time for yourself. You should share all these incredible gifts with yourself too. Just as you want only good things for others, I want only good things for you. 💜💛
#2 My Favorite Mountain Meditation
When my world feels too frazzled, I forget things on my long to-do list, or I'm angry and can't turn off negative thoughts, I return to this guided meditation on the Insight Timer app (you can listen to this meditation for free). The combination of Karim Rushdy's voice, the imagery of a mountain (I think of my favorite Hawaiian mountain), and the majesty of the moment that I recreate through this meditation never fails to calm me down. I feel stronger afterward. I hope you like it! 🌋🏔️🌄
#3 Journal Prompt: Ponder a Leaf
One of the things I like most about journaling is how portable and simple it can be. It's one of the things that we don't need to complicate. You open a journal, get a pad, or open your laptop and let the words flow. No one will read what you write, tell you that you're doing it wrong (and don't tell yourself that either), or edit it for grammar and spelling. There's freedom in journaling, and you can journal about any topic. Here's a simple prompt sparked by this beautiful, spotted red maple leaf:
How do your imperfections contribute to your overall beauty?
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Latest Podcast Episode
Episode #44: Guided Meditation to Cultivate Belonging (to Others & Yourself)
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