What is your default setting: pleasing yourself or pleasing others? Being a people pleaser can put you on a path to frustration, fear of rejection, low self esteem and maladaptive coping habits. Take a moment to see if any of these statements ring true for you: I am motivated by external validation and approval I conform to others’ opinions to avoid conflict I take care of others’ emotions and not my own I offer unsolicited advice and problem solving Do these sound familiar?

When Halloween arrives, the realization that the end of the year is near hits me like a snap of a wet towel. As soon as the Walgreens candy aisle doubles in size, it signals that the end of the year holidays have begun and the relentless march towards the new year has accelerated. With each holiday milestone, the refrain of “I’ve got to get organized! There’s so much to do before the new year!” echoes through my head. Travel to book. Gifts to shop for. And the year-end-push

It may not feel like it, but one of the best times to step forward into change is during chaos. Why is that? (I’m speaking of relative chaos, meaning a time of great change, not an actual disaster) If you think about it, a time of massive change means that new bonds/paths/routes are being formed and old ones are being broken. Old norms are being challenged while new realities can put down roots. Change during chaos is dynamic, not linear. In more normal situations, you may ha

This isn’t a frivolous question about momentary thrills. Knowing what brings you joy can be one of the keys to reaching your goals. I’m not talking about Marie Kondo-izing your home with an inventory of your possessions, evaluating what to keep and toss. Instead, consider which pursuits and core values bring you joy when you think about them, participate in them, or celebrate them. For some people, regeneration brings them joy and they surround themselves with plants, animals

Is it time for you to spread your wings and fly? Where are you headed? Take a good look inside and get your bearings before you take flight. Birds use internal navigation — not external sign posts — and so should you for the best results. By listening to your inner voice, your core values, you’ll embark on the most authentic path forward. Where will your values take you? Comment below. If you need more clarity on your core values and authentic voice, DM me for a consultation

When it comes to knowing yourself and what’s best for you, you’re the expert. Trust yourself and keep listening to your inner voice, even when the external world gets noisy. As the Expert in You, no one else knows as much as you do. You alone define what’s truly important to you and where your next steps will lead you. Believe that you know far more than you may have confidence in. Dig deep and respect what you find. What’s your first step? Share it in the comments. P.S. If y

When my mother described someone who had a hard time thinking beyond the present moment, she said, “they can’t see beyond the tip of their own nose!” This made me laugh,  I would cross my eyes to see the tip of my nose, and ponder what it would be like for life beyond my nose to be a complete blur. How about you? Are you limiting yourself by the decisions that you make each day? Or are you making decisions that keep the door open and align with your future and vision? It pays