Many years ago (just how many is Top Secret), I was in my early twenties, struggling with a syndrome called Interstitial Cystitis. (Ok, fine. It was fifteen years ago. Gasp!) I had just been diagnosed, which involved undergoing a procedure that I still can’t even talk about without fainting from horror. I was basically in… Continue reading It’s Not Selfish – It’s Essential
Tag: life coach
Killing the Inner Critic with Kindness
Do you ever have days when your inner critic just won’t stop? When you beat yourself up for pretty much everything, from your hair to your clothes to that thing you said that was really, really ridiculous (Oh God, you’re still cringing), to your parenting to your work performance…and on and on and on? I… Continue reading Killing the Inner Critic with Kindness
Finding Your Inner Healer
In Martha Beck’s book, Finding Your North Star, she discusses the concept of the essential self. Basically, your essential self is the calm, peaceful, wise you who knows exactly what you need in every moment of your life. When you feel flashes of intuition, you are hearing the voice of your essential self. When you… Continue reading Finding Your Inner Healer
Depression
It’s so easy to feel down or depressed when you are dealing with pain or other frustrating symptoms. Everything seems gray – the days feel difficult, it’s hard to find the fun or joy in life. Depression feels heavy, and before you know it, you honestly can’t remember how to feel good. The symptoms seem… Continue reading Depression
Your Identity
I’ve always been a voracious reader, but my experience with vulvodynia opened my eyes to whole new genres of books. I read books about natural healing, more self-help books than ever, books about spirituality – if it had words in it, I read it! This was, of course, how I came to discover Martha Beck… Continue reading Your Identity
It Sounds Good…
I’ve just finished my ten-minute relaxation and am feeling calm and peaceful. (See yesterday’s post.) While I was doing my deep breathing, I remembered another piece of the puzzle you might find helpful. (Have I mentioned that taking ten minutes to focus on the breath and evoke a relaxation response often leads to inspiration as… Continue reading It Sounds Good…
The Relaxation Response – Why You’ll Love It!
I’ve talked a little about the detrimental affect panic has on your physiological healing, and you are familiar with the unpleasant sensation of living with panic or fear as your primary emotion. My last post discussed a quick way to escape the panic when it is just too overwhelming. I’d like to talk today about… Continue reading The Relaxation Response – Why You’ll Love It!
How to Stop the Panic Now
Your symptoms are flaring. You’ve read the previous posts, so you know that panicking will only make your symptoms worse. You’ve done the Emotion Log and the Thought Log, so you even know some of the thoughts behind the panic you’re feeling right now. Maybe you’re thinking something like, “This will never end,” or “I’ll… Continue reading How to Stop the Panic Now
The Thought Log
I would like to tell a little more of my story today, because it just might open a door or two for you. I’ve written about the Emotion Diagnosis, the Emotion Log, and the breath watching technique, so showing you how I put those three tools together for myself might give you ideas for your… Continue reading The Thought Log
Follow the Flow
Now you know why investigating your emotions can help you heal, and you’ve done some work to find the main culprits. Negative emotions, besides hindering your healing, just aren’t much fun. It’s not exactly something you’ve dreamed of – feeling fear, panic, anger, or despair (to name a few of the biggies) on a daily basis. … Continue reading Follow the Flow