This Is Our Experience

I grew up in a household where emotions weren't expressed. Actually, anger was expressed at times, but softer emotions were practically non-existent. My parents didn't know how (or didn't have the patience) to validate my feelings, so anytime I tried to convey how I felt, I was dismissed. Consequently, I had trouble being vocal and I carried this into my adulthood. Disclaimer: (I am not a mute lol! I am extremely talkative around people I know. I have an introvert personality.) Early school life I still remember the looks on my 1st grade teachers faces when my 6 year old self told them I wanted to be a novelist When I grew up. I would write tons of short stories, created my own little magazines, and I communicated best through writing notes. Friends I found myself unknowingly gravitating towards people who were carefree, opinionated and verbally expressive. I admired these characteristics. I was the "shy" friend. I felt most comfortable communicating wit...

I absolutely love listening to people talk about their problems (I'm not even being sarcastic). Many people face the same problem, and that is caring way too much about how others perceive them. People internalize everything other people say to them, say about them, or even the things they think   people are thinking of them! Here are some of my thoughts about this "problem". 1. Why would you let someone tell you about yourself, when a lot of these folks don't even know who THEY are?? 2. No matter how rich, poor, attractive, unattractive, popular or unpopular you are, someone will have something to say about you. 3. The only person you need to impress is YOU! 4. We live in an opinionated society. Some people have nothing better to do than gossip. 5. Don't feel angry, feel honored. 6. This is YOUR life to live. You're not a puppet. 7. Standing in your truth inspires people to stand in theirs. 8. Own EVERYTHING about you, even your embarrassing moments...

When breaking a habit, it's always good to have a more effective and beneficial habit to replace that old habit. For example, I used to eat candy often. Now, whenever I crave candy, I go straight for blueberries. Blueberries are sweet and healthy and they also satisfy my craving. This works for me. Of course, with everything, you should always have balance. That means don't over indulge, because too much of anything can become harmful. Whatever unwanted habits you have, mental or physical, write them down on one side of a paper. On the other side, write down what new habits you want to implement in your life. Here's some examples. Unwanted habit                 New habit  Eating meat               Veggie version of favorite meats Social media              Paint, write, read a book Sleeping a lot            Go for a run I per...

When you are ready to choose happiness, you have to be ready to let go of EVERYTHING and EVERYONE who no longer serve you. This can be easy or hard, it depends on what you believe. Letting go of my ex felt like torture. I was a slave to familiarity and comfortability.  I was an introvert with little to no friends, so I convinced myself for a  long  time that he was all I had. He was my quick fix, but I knew that long term, we would end up in a disastrous situation.  I mustard up all the courage and self discipline I had in me, and walked away from him. You would think that anything toxic would be easy to walk away from... Lack of self love will have you settling for  anything. Many people stay in situations, jobs and relationships that they aren't happy in. I look at it like this, everybody is always talking about how "life is short", so what sense does it make to spend any amount of time putting energy into things that don't make us feel good? Don't...