May

With spring dawning, a vision board is a perfect way to plant new intention seeds.

 A vision board is a poster or paperboard on which you affix images, quotes, or other representations of things you want to achieve or manifest in your life. It is a tangible layout of what you want to experience and achieve. It can be an immensely powerful tool in helping you manifest your dreams.

Creating a vision board is simple. First, find a large blank space – a corkboard, an empty wall, or even just a large piece of paper – and then begin to fill it with images and words that inspire your goal or desired life. For example, suppose you aspire to be a well-known interior designer. In that case, you may fill your board with photos of your favorite spaces, your dream design school, and the awards you want to garner.

The act of physically creating your vision board helps bring your goals and dreams into sharper focus and serves as a daily reminder of what you are working towards. Every time you see your board, you will be reminded of your aspirations, and your subconscious mind will begin to work towards making them a reality.

If you are having trouble coming up with ideas for your vision board, there are several online resources like Pinterest that are sure to give you endless images and inspiration to get you started. 

Once your vision board is done, make sure you showcase it in a place where you will see it at least once a week so it serves as a consistent reminder of what you intend to manifest in your life.

And finally, support your visual life by making journaling a habit. Outline your goals and your process of achieving them in more detail. Let a journal help you keep track of your progress and make you accountable for your decisions. 

It's been said that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. And while no doubt surviving tough times can leave us feeling scarred and battered, there's also increasing evidence that it can have some positive effects on our psyches.

Psychologists are increasingly studying the phenomenon of post-traumatic growth – the idea that overcoming hard times in our lives can make us more focused, compassionate, spiritual, and aware of our strengths and possibilities.

A multi-year study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that the emotionally healthiest subjects had experienced some significant adversity in their lives, such as divorce, the loss of a loved one, or a grave illness.

"Post-traumatic growth is a journey, and everyone is on their own timeline," adds Laura Silberstein-Tirch, PsyD, a psychotherapist in New York City and author of The Everyday Guide to Self-Compassion: How to Be Nice to Yourself. "It can start with small moments of just noticing what you are feeling and accepting it rather than fighting it." That doesn't mean wallowing in the trauma. Instead, allow it to come and then let it simply go. 

You don't have to react to people or situations around you. They are what they are. You can choose your response, and you can choose to move past them in spite of your external surrounding. 

So if you're currently struggling with a difficult situation, take heart – it just might be the making of you.

When life gets overwhelming and you start to feel tense, it can be challenging to know how to relax. You might want to escape to a quiet place or curl up in a ball and hide, but sometimes the best thing you can do is just breathe.

Breathing is one of the most natural things that our body does. We don’t even have to think about it – it just happens. But did you know that there is a right way to breathe and that it can significantly impact your overall health and well-being?

Most of us breathe shallowly, using only a small percentage of our lung capacity. Unfortunately, this can lead to all sorts of physical and mental health problems. But the good news is that we can reap all kinds of benefits by simply learning to breathe correctly.

Controlled breathing is a simple yet effective way to ease anxiety and promote relaxation. It can be done anywhere, at any time, and requires no special equipment. Plus, it’s free!

If you’re not sure how to get started, here are some tips:

-Start by finding a comfortable position. You can sit in a chair with your feet on the ground or lie down on your back with your knees bent.

-Place one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest.

-Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose, allowing your stomach to expand.

-Exhale slowly through your mouth, letting your stomach fall back in.

-Repeat this breathing pattern for several minutes.

-Focus on your breath and how your body feels as you breathe. Pay attention to the rise and fall of your stomach and the expansion and contraction of your lungs.

-If your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back to your breath.

Controlled breathing can help you to ease stress and anxiety and promote relaxation. So next time you feel overwhelmed, take some deep breaths and see how you feel.

How often have you been in a situation where your mind is telling you one thing, but your heart is telling you another? It's a common dilemma that we often find ourselves in, but what should you do?

In theory, it sounds easy enough. Just follow your heart. But in practice, it's often more complex. Our minds can be compelling, especially when it comes to protecting us from hurt or disappointment. So, how do you know when to follow your heart and when to listen to your mind?

 First, getting in touch with your feelings and learning to listen to your heart is essential. It can be helpful to write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal and take time each day to sit quietly and listen to your heart.

Once you've established a connection with your heart, you'll be better equipped to make decisions that align with your true desires. When you're struggling with a decision, it can be helpful to ask yourself how you feel about it in your heart. If you feel scared or uncertain, it's probably not the right decision for you. But if you feel excited or hopeful, it's worth considering.

Most of us don't feel time affluent. Instead, time feels like our captor, laughing as we race to catch up on the hours we feel robbed of. So naturally, anxiety abounds in such situations.

 Fortunately, we can change our relationship over time. There are four key ways to do this:

1. Define your priorities.

Defining your priorities is the first and most important step to managing your time. What is truly important to you? What are your values? Once you know the answers to these questions, you can start to set realistic goals.

2. Create a schedule.

Creating a schedule and sticking to it can help simplify your life. Make a list of the things you need to do each day and week, and then find time in your schedule to do them. Leave some time each day for relaxation and fun, too.

3. Learn to say no.

Saying no is an essential part of time management. You can't do everything, and you shouldn't try to. Instead, prioritize your time and energy and only say yes to the things that are truly important to you.

4. Take time for yourself

Finally, remember to take time for yourself. Time management is about more than just getting things done. It's also about taking care of yourself. Make sure to schedule some time each day to do something you enjoy.

By following these steps, you can change your relationship to time. Time doesn't have to be your enemy. 

In our fast-paced and constantly-connected world, losing sight of what truly matters can be easy. We can get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget to take the time to reflect on our relationships, our health, and our overall well-being. However, the universe is always trying to send us messages, whether we're ready to hear them or not.

One way that the universe can communicate with us is through the use of astrology. Astrology is often seen as a way to predict the future, but it can also be used for self-awareness and personal growth. By understanding the influences of the planets and other celestial bodies, we can learn more about ourselves and the world around us.

In astrology, the planets represent different aspects of our personalities.

Sometimes, the planets can give us clues about what's to come. 

Even if you're a skeptic, there's no harm in taking a closer look at the planetary influences in your life. 

We often think of astrology as a way to tell the future. But it can also be used as a tool for self-awareness and personal growth. By understanding the influences of the planets and other celestial bodies, we can learn more about ourselves and the world around us.

After all, what do you have to lose?

We all know the feeling – you’ve just had a great day. Everything has gone your way. You’re on top of the world. So what do you do? Head out for drinks with your friends to celebrate, of course! We often celebrate the big things in life, but what about the little things?

It’s easy to take the small things for granted. We get so wrapped up in our everyday lives that we often forget to stop and smell the roses, as they say. But taking the time to celebrate the small things can significantly impact your life. Here’s why you should celebrate the little things in life:

1. It increases gratitude

Studies have repeatedly shown that gratitude is one of the keys to happiness. And one of the best ways to increase gratitude is to celebrate the small wins.

It’s easy to take the big things for granted, but when you take the time to celebrate the small things, it makes you more aware of all the good in your life.

2. It boosts your mood

No matter how big or small, celebrating an achievement is a great way to boost your mood. When you do something worthy of celebration, it feels good!

3. It makes life more fun!

Let’s face it, life can be pretty mundane sometimes. But when you take the time to celebrate the small things, it makes life more fun.

4. It helps you stay motivated.

When you only celebrate the big things, it can be easy to get discouraged when you don’t achieve something big. But celebrating the small things helps you stay motivated because you’re always making progress.

5. It builds momentum

Every time you celebrate a small thing, it builds momentum to experience more and bigger wins. 

Celebrating the little things can help increase gratitude, improve mental health, and make life more enjoyable.

We all know the saying, "life is a circus." But what does that actually mean?

For some of us, life can feel like a never-ending balancing act. We're constantly teetering on a tightrope between work and family obligations, and finding a sense of equilibrium can be challenging. As a result, we might worry about not getting everything done or feel frustrated that we need more time for ourselves. And sometimes, we can even resent others who seem to be taking up our valuable time.

It's a challenging situation, and it can be easy to get caught up in a cycle of stress and anxiety. But it's important to remember that, as the woman and the heart of the family, everything we experience flows out to others. So if we're feeling frustrated or angry, those around us will likely pick up on those vibes and begin to act accordingly.

That's why we must learn to recognize our limitations and forgive ourselves when things don't go according to plan. We can only do our best with what we have, after all.

By following these simple tips, we can ease the stress of daily life and find a little balance in the chaos.

1. Recognize your limitations.

Learn to realize what you can and can't do alone. Forgive yourself. You can only do the best with what you have. 

2. Set boundaries.

You can't be everything to everyone. And that's okay. Set boundaries with your time and energy. Let others know what you can and can't do. Say no when you need to.

3. Seek help.

Admitting that you need help isn't a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it's a sign of strength. Asking for help can be hard, but it's worth it.

4. Create a support system.

You don't have to do it all alone. Find others who can help you with your load. Trade babysitting with a friend. Hire a babysitter or nanny.

5. Take care of yourself.

You can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself. Make time for yourself. Do things that make you happy.

6. Find your balance.

There is no perfect balance. Life is constantly changing. You will always have to make adjustments. The key is to not get too far off balance. If you feel like you are about to fall, make a change.

7. Enjoy the ride.

Remember, life is a circus. It's full of ups and downs. So embrace the chaos and enjoy the ride.

Getting caught up in worrying about the future or dwelling on the past is easy. Still, it's important to remember that our only moment is the present. Learning to stay in the now can help us appreciate life's beauty and better manage our stress levels.

There are several ways to stay in the present moment. Here are a few to consider:

Focus on your breathing. 

Simply take a few deep breaths and pay attention to how your body feels as you breathe in and out. Another way to stay in the present is to focus on your senses. What do you see, hear, and feel around you?

Get a mantra. 

Some people find it helpful to repeat a mantra or affirmation to themselves to stay in the present. For example, you might say to yourself, "I am in the present moment," or "I am peaceful and relaxed." Whatever words you choose, the important thing is to focus on the meaning behind them.

Stop living in the past or the future.

You might be thinking that you need to focus on the past to learn from your mistakes or focus on the future so you can plan and be prepared. But the present moment is really all that matters.

The past is gone, and there is nothing you can do to change it. The future is not here yet, so why worry about it? All you have is this present moment, and it is the only thing that is real.

A lot of the time, our thoughts are focused on either the past or the future.

Start a mindfulness practice mindfulness. 

Mindfulness is the act of being aware of the present moment and all that is happening around you. This means paying attention to your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. You can practice mindfulness by meditating or simply by paying attention to your breath throughout the day.

Practice forgiveness. 

This means forgiving yourself first for your mistakes and not dwelling on them. It also means letting go of any anger or resentment you are holding onto. This can be a complicated process, but it is necessary for you to move on and be happy.

Staying in the present can be difficult at first, but with practice, it will become easier. The more you focus on the present moment, the more you will appreciate the beauty of life.