breathe: A Guided Meditation for Relaxation and Mindfulness
With the skies opening and my touring returning, some concert halls have asked me to lead a guided breath-work meditation before the shows. This is seriously one of my most favorite things ever! But one of the questions I get asked the most is "well, what's it like? what kind of experience?"
In today's episode, I take listeners through a peaceful journey that is perfect for anyone looking to de-stress. We'll be focusing on our breath as we clear our minds and let go of any worries or concerns we may have. If you're new to meditation or just want someone to talk you through it, this episode is perfect for you! So grab your device, find a comfortable spot, and join me for some peace and tranquility.
Let’s Calm it Down in 3..2..1.
When Are You The Most Yourself?
Searching for our true selves can be both intimidating and exciting. Despite the pressures of everyday life, remembering to pause and recognize moments when we feel in tune with our most honest selves can be incredibly rewarding. It may sound simple, but sometimes it’s hard to recognize when these moments are occurring.
A good place to start is by paying attention to what brings you joy, whether that's spending time alone, engaging in a physical activity or simply having a conversation with someone. These experiences have the potential to reveal different parts of your personality and foster an even deeper understanding of who you are beneath all of the expectations and responsibilities that life throws at us. So let’s embark on this journey together as we look for ways to authentically express ourselves and ultimately reach a place of lasting fulfillment.
The Truth About Sensitivity (And Why You Shouldn't Underestimate It)
We've heard a lot about how being tough and strong is important, but what about those of us who always seem to wear our hearts on our sleeves and express our emotions openly? Contrary to popular belief, emotional sensitivity is not a hindrance - often it can be what we need to help us get through the tough times in life. Emotional sensitivity allows us to better connect with others and understand the world around us.
In this episode, we explore the power of emotional sensitivity and examine why it should be celebrated rather than shamed. With a funny and creative lens, I will offer you some thought-provoking perspectives that may just help you appreciate the importance of being emotionally sensitive! Join me as we Calm it Down in 3...2...1.
The Power of Longing
Do you ever feel like something is missing in your life? That there's a longing for something more but you're not sure what it is? In this episode of the Calm It Down Podcast, we explore the power of longing and how it can be an important signal that we're meant for something more.
We'll discuss the difference between passing fancy and sincere desire, and how to begin to listen to the clues our longing provides. If you've ever felt lost or uncertain about your next steps, this episode is for you! Check it out, share it with a friend and drop me a note how you think longing is or isn't an integral part of your journey.
The Company You Keep - Releasing Toxic Relations
We all make choices in life, and one of the biggest is who we allow into our inner circle. It's easy to think that anyone we call a friend is a positive influence on us, but sometimes that isn't always the case.
If you feel like things aren't quite right in your relationships, it might be time for you to take a step back and re-evaluate those bonds. In this episode, we'll talk about ways to detect bad influences in your relationships and ways to cut ties with toxic people so you can cultivate strong friendships with those who are supportive and encouraging. Listen in as we Calm it Down.
Asking for Help - The Why, When & Who.
We’ve all been there, struggling and feeling like we have to fight our own battles alone. We put on a brave face and tell ourselves everything is fine, but often times the truth is that we could really use some help.
Asking for help has long been viewed as a sign of weakness or failure, leaving us feeling stigmatized or embarrassed when it comes time to reach out for assistance. But why? Why can't seeking help from others be seen as an admirable act of courage — something expected rather than shamed?
Let's find out by uncovering the secrets behind this four letter word: Help. Together, let's explore how understanding the stigma surrounding asking for assistance can empower us to take control of our lives!
Not Perfect, Better
We often strive to be perfect in all that we do; but perfectionism can lead us down a path of constant dissatisfaction, feelings of guilt and worry. This year, instead of focusing on being perfect, let's focus on being better—better than where we were last year and better at taking care of ourselves…
Suffering in Silence - Let's Talk this Out
Aaahhh, the joys of catching a cold. Not the "oh it's chilly outside.", but the "my nose is stuff and I'm miserable."
That all too familiar chill that takes over your body; it's something we've all experienced. Although a seemingly trivial thing, this cold can represent much more than what meets the eye - it can be symbolic of inner turmoil and emotional struggles…
Life Chose You
We are never given more than we can handle. So when you feel like life is giving you too much to handle, know that it chose you for a reason. It saw the strength in you to be able to deal with whatever situation it throws your way. Be grateful for the chance to help others through their time of need and ask yourself what strength you can bring to them…
Not So Traditional Traditions - Grief During the Holidays
The holiday season is a time of joy, family, and friends. But what happens when grief interrupts that? What do you do when the holidays don't feel like they used to? Today's episode explores some new traditions that can help make the holiday season a little more bearable for those who are grieving.
The Foolish Lion and The Clever Rabbit - Taming our Emotions
Emotions are a normal and essential part of our lives but that doesn't mean we should always act on every one of them. It's important to be aware of the different types of emotions and how they can impact our decisions. Knowing how to deal with emotional reactions can help us make sounder judgments in everyday life - whether we're choosing what to wear or picking who to date. Our emotions can be swayed just as strongly as our response TO our emotions. So, how do we tame this lion within us to be less... emotional? Dive in as we find out.
Be Kind, Rewind - Your Life on VHS
What would you do if movie magic became reality? If, in the movies, we could always get what we wanted by just wishing hard enough or following our hearts, life would be a dream…
Forgiveness is Not...
Forgiveness. It's something we've all heard of, and even experienced to some degree in our lives. But what is it really? What does it mean to forgive someone? Is it simply saying that you're no longer mad or upset at someone? Is it more than that? In this episode, I'm going to explore what forgiveness is not, as well as give my own definition of forgiveness can be.
Drawers of Emotional Baggage
We all have that one t-shirt. You know the one I'm talking about—it's the one you've had for years and years, and it's seen better days. It's comfortable, sure, but it's also stained, full of holes, and maybe a little bit smelly…
You Are Not a Disappointment
In life, we all experience disappointing moments. Times when things don't go our way and we don't get the outcome we were hoping for. These moments can be really tough to deal with and can sometimes make us feel like a disappointment to others and ourselves…
Healing Our Relationship with Food
There's something about sitting down to a plate of food that can make us feel immediately guilty. We think about all the things we could have done differently - we shouldn't have had that extra slice of cake, we should have gone for a run before breakfast, we should be eating more greens…
Laughing at Life's Unpredictability
Every morning is a chance for a fresh start. A chance to heal, grow, laugh, and embrace all of life's unpredictability. Today may be tough, but it's also a chance to learn and become stronger. The past is over and done with; it can't be changed. All we have is the present moment, which we can choose to make the best of it or not. Today is a new day, full of possibilities. Let's make the most of it!
Hurry Sickness - The Burnout of Balance
Do you ever feel like you're constantly in a hurry? Like you never have enough time for everything? Overwhelmed and stressed out? If so, then you may be experiencing what's called "hurry sickness." Unfortunately, hurry sickness is becoming increasingly common as our society becomes more and more fast-paced. But what is hurry sickness and why is it such a big deal? And most importantly, what can we do to address it and prevent burnout? Listen in to find out.
Party of One - The Loneliest Number
Loneliness. That nagging feeling that something is missing, and no matter how much we try to fill the hole, it always seems to come back. Loneliness has been called the "common cold of emotions" because it's so widespread. But why is loneliness so common? And what can we do about it? Listen in as we explore the solitude soliloquy and offer some solutions for overcoming it.
Oceans of Change - Beginning Something New
The other day someone wrote to ask my advice on adapting to new seasons. They are entering their first year of college away from home and wanted to know what advice I could offer…