by Vicki Pike Photo by 🔮🌊💜✨ on Unsplash After dragging my feet for weeks, I finally went into the DMV to transfer the title on my car. My paperwork had already been submitted and approved online, and the instructions said I could either mail them in (mail an original pink-slip? I don’t think so), orContinue reading “The Day I Walked Away at the DMV — and What It Taught Me About My Fear of Confrontation in Midlife”
Confidence, Self-Esteem, and the Missing Piece: Inner Authority
Photo by Jordan Donaldson | @jordi.d on Unsplash I typically write about self-confidence – what it means and how we can build more of it. But this week during a Google search I came across the word ‘self-esteem’. Of course I’ve heard the term a thousand times, but I always assumed that self-esteem and self-confidenceContinue reading “Confidence, Self-Esteem, and the Missing Piece: Inner Authority”
Life Isn’t Fair—But You Can Still Create Your Own Happiness
Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash If life were truly fair, many of us would be in trouble. Have you ever secretly envied someone because they have more than you? More money, anicer house or car, a better body, or a better job? Most of us probably have, because we’re human and have access toContinue reading “Life Isn’t Fair—But You Can Still Create Your Own Happiness”
The Power of Choice: Deciding Our Emotions Ahead of Time
Photo by Wei Wang on Unsplash I grew up hating parties. My experience with them has always entailed the following: If I did talk myself into attending a party — out of guilt, obligation, or a genuine desire that, ‘this time’, I would show up and wow people with my conversational prowess — it wouldContinue reading “The Power of Choice: Deciding Our Emotions Ahead of Time”
When Dreams Change: Rising Strong After Loss
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash My husband and I married in 1996. We had two awesome children, in addition to my amazing daughter from a previous marriage. We had planned on retiring to Oregon after the kids were grown, living out our days in rocking chairs on the front porch. We just didn’t know.Continue reading “When Dreams Change: Rising Strong After Loss”
How To Feel Like You Belong – Finding Confidence in Any Situation
Picture by author It was my first time playing drums in front of other people, and I was terrified. I was 46 years old and had been playing for just a few years. Up until then, I had only played alone in my garage. Then one day my brother-in-law challenged me to join a programContinue reading “How To Feel Like You Belong – Finding Confidence in Any Situation”
You Can’t Get a Positive Result From a Negative Emotion
Stop trying to shame yourself into success Photo by Man Chung on Unsplash When was the last time you celebrated yourself after a failure? Or gave yourself a pat on the back when you didn’t achieve your goal? I know it sounds counterintuitive…doesn’t rewarding failure only encourage more failure? Maybe you’ve set a goal toContinue reading “You Can’t Get a Positive Result From a Negative Emotion”
It’s Like Spring Cleaning, But For Your Brain
Photo by Leohoho on Unsplash It’s Like Spring Cleaning – But For Your Brain Here in California, we’re beginning to have faith that spring is on the way…the temps are beginning to inch upwards and we’re seeing fewer and fewer rainy days (contrary to popular belief it does rain in California). It’s the one timeContinue reading “It’s Like Spring Cleaning, But For Your Brain”
Are You Still Choosing To Believe The Worst About Yourself?
(You can stop that now) Photo by Bekah Russom on Unsplash When I was around 14 years old I shared a room with my sister. It wasn’t a big room but I enjoyed moving my bed and dresser around just to change things up whenever I got bored with the layout. The bed was heavyContinue reading “Are You Still Choosing To Believe The Worst About Yourself?”
You’re Born An Individual, And You Die An Individual. You Deserve to Know Yourself During the In–Between
Caution: Tough love ahead Photo by Hiroshi Kimura on Unsplash If you’re in your middle age of life you may have been raised believing (consciously or unconsciously) that your value was determined by the opinions of the people around you. Pre-internet that meant your dad, your mom, siblings, friends, teachers, and co-workers. If they likedContinue reading “You’re Born An Individual, And You Die An Individual. You Deserve to Know Yourself During the In–Between”