Barbara Schmidt's Blog, page 4

6 Things to Remember When Hurting

My dear friend,

I share this week’s blog with the intention and deep knowing that for so many of us, life has been incredibly challenging over these past few years. Whether you are hurting from the events of the world, or having personal difficulties, it is hard sometimes to see the light when the darkness can feel so dense.

This week I am not going into the details of how even the darkest times have meaning; that’s for our discussion another day. Today I want to share six of my go-to simple reminders to help you ease what you may be going through and promote a sense of peace and well-being. Life, though filled with lessons, is meant to be enjoyable and fun!

So here you go affirmations to remember that can bring you back to the joy in painful periods. These bring me back home every time.

1. Life is constantly changing. What you are experiencing now will not be forever. Feel whatever feelings are coming up for you, but don’t dwell in negativity.

2. All periods in life have purpose, and without the valleys, we would not appreciate the peaks. Contrast in life gives life meaning.

3. You can take back your power by remembering that your thoughts are constantly creating your reality. Begin to notice what your thinking and ask yourself, “Are these thoughts true? What do I choose to create for this day, and my life?”

4. No matter what, there is always a takeaway from every situation. Everything that life brings us is an opportunity to learn and grow.

5. Be gentle with yourself. You are doing the best you can in this very moment. Judging and being hard on yourself won’t make the pain go away any faster. The judgment will actually keep you stuck in your feelings of sadness and pain longer.

6. You are never alone. Don’t be afraid to speak up when things feel too hard. Asking for help, especially from the people who care about you, does not make you weak.

I hope these powerful reminders bring you a sense of ease and peace. Remember my friends we are all in the same boat.

I would love to hear what you guys rely on when times are tough. Let’s keep the inspiration going in the comments below!

xo, Michelle

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4 Self-Care Practices to Help You Connect With Yourself

Dear friends,

Self-care is a commonly discussed topic lately, and while I find the general interest to be positive, sometimes, I think the practice is misunderstood. When we think of self-care, the images that come to mind are physical and external in nature. Think bubble baths, pedicure, and Netflix binges on the sofa. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with these things, I take part in them often; labeling them as true self-care is what misses the mark.

What I believe to be true self-care is anything that helps you, connect to you. And anything that allows to to think and act in an aligned way. In this regard, self-care is an internal practice, and it’s not always comfy and cozy.

I have practices of self-care that sometimes I just don’t want to do. There are ones that I sometimes do begrudgingly. And there are ones that I even need to schedule because up to my own devices, I might not to it. But, through all of that, I still do them, because I know, innately, that I will feel better, and I will feel more connected to myself. Those benefits are always worth it.

If you’re feeling a call to integrate a deeper practice of self-care, this week it is my intention to share with you four simple, but meaningful practices that can help you care for yourself, from the inside out. Take the practices you feel called to, and see how they can integrate into your lives and notice how you feel.

Think if yourself as a scientist of your life, and you are doing the research to your own brand of self-care.

Meditation. One of my favorite practices of self-care and self-connection, I do not go a day without meditating. Even when the practice feels challenging or not worthy it, it is a non-negotiable in my life. I new meditation as the practice of being in your own company, and subsequently getting to know the real you. If meditation feels challenging for you, start small, there is no wrong way to sit with yourself.Journaling. Another one of my favorites, journaling is the fastest way for me to connect what’s happening in my mind to my emotions and my perception of my reality. The practice of allowing my thoughts to flow onto paper allows me to take inventory of my mind, and reconcile where I can make changes to better suit my desires in life.Positive affirmation repetition. I rely on this practice when I find my mind spiraling into negative places. I know how much the thoughts in my mind influence my mood and my viewpoint of life, so it’s crucial for me to have tools in my back pocket to help me counteract thoughts that do not serve me. I think that positive affirmations tend to get a bad rep, but I believe fully in their power. A negative thought and a positive thought cannot exist in your mind at the same time. Knowing this to be true, replace the thoughts that are plaguing you with ones that life you up and help you to feel better in the moment.Setting healthy boundaries. Probably one of the harder practices to incorporate, but powerful in benefit, boundary setting can help you to speak up for yourself and your needs. It’s common to feel like we have to please other people and even say yes to things we’d really like to say no to. Setting healthy boundaries can help you to recharge your batteries and release resentment, as you’ll start to feel more in control of your choices and your circumstances.

What practice are you feeling called to incorporate? Let me know in the comments below!

xo, Michelle

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5 Things To Remember When Life Isn’t Where You Want It To Be

My dear friends,

All of us have goals, wishes, hopes, and dreams for our lives. We are taught to envision what we want, and always be working towards that vision. It’s a beautiful practice to get clear and act in alignment. Sometimes though, you can feel like you’ve done all the “things”, know what you want, and still haven’t quite found or achieved that “thing” that you’re moving towards. This week, I want to share that it’s normal to feel this way. Life is not about instant gratification, and if someone is selling you that idealized version of life, they may be deceiving you.

I’ve gone through many ups and downs in my viewpoint of the timeline of my life. I can hit acceptance and hopelessness in the same week. The thing I know for certain is that each and every one of us have a unique life timeline. It can not or will not look like anyone else’s. What I also know is that we really have no control on how things will unfold in our lives. Sure, we can influence, but ultimately life is about easing back into a state of active surrender, and continuing to show up, daily.

With all this being said, I know how painful it feels to not be where you “think” you should be in life. It’s an agonizing mental loop that makes us feel like we’re off track, done something wrong, or even worse, that we somehow deserve a life less worthy than others.

Life really is a journey, and the destination is how we show up each and every day. The truth is, every day is a gift, and we are not promised a tomorrow. There will never be a time that we “have it all at once”, so we might as well shift our focus and outlook to embrace whatever it is we have in the now.

I wanted to share some reminders with you all this week for when you start to feel this way. Especially now, in the state of constant social media screen time, and comparison to others at an all-time high, we need these reminders in our back pockets because we most certainly need them in this unpredictable world that we live in.

 

1. Remember, just because you feel stuck now, does not mean you’ll feel this way forever.

It’s really easy to get down on ourselves when we don’t perform or achieve as fast as we think we should. In reality, life doesn’t turn over as fast as we would like for it to. This certainly does not mean that we have failed or are incapable of achieving what we would like to in life. All we have to do is move through the pause, and remember what it is that we truly desire to create in life.

 

2. Remember, life doesn’t always have to be in the timing and the speed that we think it should be.

Often times I think I’m “stuck” when really I’m just in a slower paced period in my life. There are always so many things happening behind the scenes moving us forward that we can’t see. Things don’t have to happen over night, and life doesn’t always unfold in the timeline that we think it should. This doesn’t mean that we are stuck or lost, it means that we are living life at our own appropriate and aligned pace. One of my favorite affirmations is “trust the timing of your life”, and so if you’re feeling down about the speed or pace of your life, ease back into trusting that you are right on track, exactly where you are suppose to be.

 

3. Remember, there is a difference in being purposefully still and unconsciously stagnant.

There is a time and a place for stillness, introspection, inspiration, and rest. We need these times to recharge, to reflect, and to recalibrate. Sometimes, it can be easy for us to go from this purposeful rest to unconscious inaction. Often times when we feel frustrated, it’s a sign that there’s an action we could be taking (or that our soul is begging us to take), but for some reason we just aren’t. Usually it’s because we are afraid. And that’s okay. It’s okay to feel fearful, but it’s important to recognize that this fear is what is bringing you this feeling of “being stuck.” If this resonates with you, ask yourself what small, gentle action you can take to move yourself forward.

 

4. Remember, if you keep showing up for life, life will keep showing up for you.

This your reminder not to give up, and don’t quit before everything you’ve been working for, manifests. Don’t let your frustration that you feel keep you from pushing forward and continuing to make the effort to meet life halfway. I like to think of life as a team effort. I do the work and put in the time, and life helps and guides me to the right places at the right time. Teamwork makes the dream work, literally.

 

5. Remember, that often times magic happens just after moments of difficulty.

Often times we can feel like nothing’s happening, that our efforts aren’t working, and that it’s all not going to come to form. But usually, there’s a lull that precedes the magic and the desired outcome. Good things do happen, and they will happen for you. Hold faith in these difficult moments of pause, and cultivate peace in the stillness that will lead you to the things you desire.

I sincerely hope these reminders help you out of your sticky moments. I know how difficult it can feel to be there, and so here’s to moving through it with grace, patience, and ease! I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments on the topic, so let’s keep the conversation going in the comments below!

xo,Michelle

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4 Questions to Ask Yourself to Cultivate Clarity

My dear friends,

For so many years in my life, I found myself constantly seeking clarity. I’ve always wanted to know and to be certain of every aspect in my life. This dynamic led me to often feeling frustrated and confused, because the simple quest of seeking clarity oftentimes feels elusive.

When so much of life is uncertain and unknown, it can feel natural to want to grasp tightly to the things we can control and be sure of. But, in my experience, the energy of clinging and grasping never serves me, but rather leaves me feeling exasperated and overwhelmed.

What I’ve learned over the course of my life is that clarity is not something that can be found, but rather cultivated. And, clarity is not stagnant, but fluid.

Rather than holding tightly to concepts and ideas that we find to be true in fleeting moments, we can cultivate a relationship with clarity that ebbs and flows over time.

My relationship with clarity has changed drastically over time, it no longer feels elusive, but rather, an innate part of me that I tap into when I need reassurance or affirmation.

This week, I want to share with you four questions I ask myself often, that help me to cultivate that deep relationship with clarity that I used to yearn for. I hope they help you and serve you in cultivating your own relationship with clarity in your life.

Who am I?What do I really, truly want?What matters most to me and what do I value?What impact do I wish to have in this world?

I ask myself these questions in quiet and in stillness and allow whatever answers to come through. I also like to have a journal close by to write down any new or insightful answers that come through. Use this practice as a friendly conversation with yourself, and remember to release any judgment of the answers.

xo, Michelle

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5 Summertime Self-Love Affirmations

Dear friends,

With the rising temperatures and changing schedules, the summer season is upon us! I always loved summertime as a kid, it felt so lighthearted, careless, and free.

Even though life doesn’t always allow us that same sense of childlike joy, it is possible to conscientiously cultivate a mindset to better set ourselves up for difficulty from the inside out.

It’s easy to get caught up in the challenges of life; thoughts seem to multiply especially if they are of worry, anxiety, and unease. One of my favorite ways to remember to see the good in life is by incorporating positive affirmations into my day. We think thousands of thoughts every single day, ask yourself, how many of these thoughts are helpful, positive, or guiding you towards where you want to go.

Affirmations are just happier thoughts, and a way to cultivate more of what we want in our minds. We have no control over what thoughts come into the mind, but we have 100% control over which thoughts we will allow to occupy space. So we can use affirmations every day to help us to cultivate the life and mindset that we truly wish to have.

With that in mind, I want to share with you these affirmations for summertime that I’ll be happily using. Take a look at the list, feel free to rewrite them to make them your own, and try them out!

1. Fun is purposeful and meaningful in my life.

2. It’s okay for me to relinquish control and go with the flow.

3. I am present and at peace with what surrounds me.

4. I am excited for all of the creative possibilities to enter my life.

5. I welcome ease and peace into my life.

xo, Michelle

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4 Simple Reminders to Spark Optimism

Dear friends,

I was recently talking to a close friend about life and the seemingly unwavering state of chaos in the external world. This friend of mine is one of the most optimistic, hopeful people I know. Actually, hope is a guiding virtue and principle in their lives. Because of this, I was surprised to hear that they had started to feel hopeless. Life had become so hard, and the happenings in the external world have become so uncertain.

This conversation was so meaningful for me because it made me realize two important things. First, that if someone like my ever cheery friend could be so deeply impacted by life and its happenings, this must be something that a majority of us are feeling. Second, it reminded me that, for whatever reason, the positives and the feel-good things in life are something that we consistently have to be working towards. And even more so in difficult times.

What this conversation brought to the surface for me is the duality of life, and that we should not be afraid of it, but rather allow it to bring us peace of mind. Yes, life will be difficult and sometimes scary, but life will not always be this way. There is no bad without good. No lows without highs. And so there is no despair without the balance of hope.

This, of course, sounds easy to say but can be difficult in practice. This is where our commitment to training our minds to seek the good, even in the tiniest of ways, can help us remember that life contains both. Life will always present us with difficulty and loss, but it will also give us opportunity and joy, and just because we might be in a season of darkness, doesn’t mean that there isn’t that light at the end of the tunnel.

If you’re like my friend and resonate with these feelings of hopeless or lack of optimism, firstly, know that you’re not alone. This week, I wanted to share four simple reminders on this topic to help you find your way back to that happy, balanced place.

Remember that this, too, shall pass. One of my favorite life affirmations, this, too, shall pass always soothes my soul when I feel like life is stacked against me and the turbulent storms won’t pass. If there’s one thing that we can be certain of, it’s that everything in life is always changing. So when you feel like you are stuck in places of hopelessness, know that change soon will come.Remember that the tiny joys are all around us, we just have to look for them. At the beginning of the pandemic, my life, much like everyone else’s, felt completely upside down. So many joys were taken away that it was easy to feel like happiness was out of reach. In those moments where everything was stripped away, I started to fill the void in practice of actively seeking out the tiny joys in the very mundane life. For me, this was my morning coffee, the purring of my cat, and Netflix binges on the couch. All things that in “normal” life I took for granted, but in that moment, I could realize just how precious and meaningful they actually are. Things that spark joy are always around us, if you’re feeling hopeless, please remember to look for them.Remember to use your creativity in positive ways. In times of difficulty or struggle, it’s incredibly easy for me to fall into the habit of writing doom and gloom stories in my mind. I can very quickly go down rabbit holes of despair and lead myself to a place where hope is out of reach. Rather than expend your precious energy telling yourself stories of all the bad that could happen, try to shift your energy into more productive uses of your creativity. Or, write good stories. Ones that you hope will come true, and allow yourself to bask in the positive energy of what you wish to come into fruition. As we know, our minds are incredibly powerful. They have the power to change our moods and influence our actions, put your mind to good use and nip negative story-telling in the bud when you notice it creep in.Remember the power of community and compassion. Oftentimes when we feel like life isn’t going our way, we isolate and shut ourselves off from the world for fear of being a burden, being wrong, or even being too negative. The pandemic era taught me that just how important community and true loved ones are in times of struggle. And that quality is always better than quantity. You don’t need to have a football team in your corner to find meaningful support. There is power in a few people who can help lift you up when you’re feeling down, remember to reach for them when you’re low.

I hope these reminders are helpful for you all! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

xo, Michelle

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5 Lessons I’ve Learned From My Mom

My dear friends,

One of the most commonly asked questions I receive, both in-person and online is,  “what was is like growing up with Peaceful Barb as my mom?” I’ve always felt incredibly grateful for my mom’s insights, wisdom, and nurturing throughout my life, and even more so, blessed that we work together, today.

As many of you know, my mom began her journey towards inner peace and wellness upon entering a treatment center for bulimia before I was born. It was in treatment that she learned about meditation, mindfulness, and mind-body practices like yoga. From then on, she committed her life to self-study, introspection, and research to uncover a path towards inner peace.

For as long as I can remember, my mom has been talking about meditation and mindfulness, and mostly the power of living in the present moment, and I credit so much of who I am today because of the seeds that she planted within me as a child.

This week, I wanted to help answer that often-asked question of life with Barb, by sharing some of my favorite life lessons she taught me, and ones that have shaped my life today. I hope these lessons serve you as much as they continue to serve me.

You can’t control anything in the outside world, but you can control your reaction to it.  Once I finally understood this to be true, I was set free of the need to try to control the external forces in my life. The awareness and knowledge of knowing what I can control, gave me my power, and helped me to shift my focus towards more productive and healthy things.Never do anything when you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired (HALT). A lesson my mom learned in treatment, always remember to HALT. Are you hungry? Angry? Lonely? Tired? If so, it might not be the best time to have difficult conversations or make important life choices. Tap into your needs and care for yourself in this way to aid in your relationships with others and with yourself.There is peace in the pause. Life can feel like it goes by quickly, and we are often forced to keep up with the pace. Usually we are accustomed to rapid responses and knee-jerk reactions that tend to lead us to saying and doing things that aren’t always in our best interest. One of the best practices we can get into, is to take a pause when we are asked to react or respond. There is power in the pause because we can reconnect and truly understand what the aligned response is in any given moment.Be where your feet are. It can feel trite to always say live in the present moment, we hear it so often but what does that actually mean? If you can remember to be where your feet are you can bring yourself into this moment right here, right now. Learned from one of her favorite teachers, Thich Nhat Hanh, being where your feat are means that your mind isn’t escaping to the past or the future, it’s truly grounded in the present.The relationship you cultivate with yourself is the most important relationship you can have. Be your own best friend. It’s common for us to spend a lot of our time focusing on the relationships we have with other people: how to be the best friend, partner, spouse, or relative. But how often to we turn that energy inwards and intend to treat ourselves the same way we would treat a loved one? We are the ones that we spend our whole lives with, and how we treat ourselves matters. By becoming your own best friend, you enable yourself to be the very best person for all your other relationships.

Let me know which lesson is your favorite!

xo, Michelle

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5 Steps to Start Again

My dear friends,

As we start to see the seasonal shift from spring to summer, feelings of optimism, hope, and excitement bubble to the surface of life. There is so much that we can’t control in the external world, and oftentimes, that makes us feel powerless and out of control. Nature’s natural changes show us that it is never too late to begin again, to make changes, and to start anew.

It can feel easy to fall into ruts, routines, and habits that make us feel stagnant and stale. What gives me hope in those moments is the truth that everything in life is always changing, so even when I feel stuck, I know that I am actually always in motion.

Sometimes we can have the deep desire to make a change or start something new, but get lost in the minutia of where to start. If you can relate to these feelings, this week I want to share with you five simple steps to help you move forward on a path that leads you to feeling excited and hopeful for your life and your future.

Connect with yourself for clarity. When I’m connected with myself, I know I can manage whatever comes my way. My daily mediation practice has been my backbone, especially during seemingly difficult times. It is in stillness and quiet that we can find the answers to life’s questions, and become clear on the actions we want to take.Find inspiration. We often feel like we need something from the outside world to give us inspiration when we’re stuck in ruts, but really it’s the opposite; what can we do to inspire ourselves? Maybe you need to practice more self-care, or read an inspiring book, or take a walk in nature. What in this moment could lift your spirits in a positive way?Get out of your routine. I have been feeling very much like I’m stuck in the movie Groundhog Day. Routines are really amazing for staying on track, but it’s also important to mix it up every now and again. Even if this means taking a different route to work or changing up your daily breakfast. Give yourself some new options to spruce up your day. New energy, even in the smallest of forms, can give us that sense of curiosity and hope.Take small steps. Usually when we want to make a change in our lives we try to think of the big leaps we can take to make that change happen quickly. This generally presents feelings of overwhelm and fear. Remember that changes in your life don’t happen overnight and don’t require grand gestures, but small, simple, aligned steps towards the goals and feelings you wish to achieve.Trust your timing. It’s easy to get frustrated by the speed in which our life is moving. Sometimes we feel like things are happening to quickly and of course, not quickly enough. Most importantly, I hope you remember that your timeline is yours and it is precious, and it doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Hold the vision that your life is always unfolding in the exact timing that is right for you.

I hope this is helpful for you! Let me know in the comments some actions you wish to take to start a new chapter, or to begin a new season!

xo, Michelle

 

 

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5 Affirmations for Managing Difficulty

Dear friends,

As we all know, life is difficult. I don’t say this to be negative or doom and gloom, but rather just to out the truth. Life presents us difficulty and hardship, and though we try to avoid it, it’s simply part of life.

It can feel really challenging when we are continuously bogged down in the “negative” to find the glimmers of hope and positivity. We never know what life will throw our way, and in these turbulent times, it feels like life is really throwing us a lot of difficulty to handle.

I love to provide practical tools that can actually help you feel better. I would love for you to feel at least 1% better this week. And knowing that I cannot control anything that happens externally in this world, I know that we can start to feel the tiny percentages uptick when we go deeper within.

As we know, the thoughts that we repeatedly tell ourselves shape our reality. We, ourselves, can influence how we view the world, how we react to the world, and how we show up in the world, we just have to create the space to allow ourselves to choose thoughts that are in alignment with our highest ideals.

You most likely know, one of my favorite practices to bring my mind back to equilibrium is to repeat positive affirmations. I have truly been relying heavily on my affirmations to propel me through the difficult moments. Though the repetitions don’t change a situation or circumstance, they do re-frame, ultimately change how I view things.

Affirmations shift my mood. They attract the positive thoughts that move me into a happier, more productive place. And feeling more upbeat and motivated is good for all of us.

Today, I’m sharing a few of the affirmations that have been serving me, you can find them below, and I encourage you to come up with ones that really resonate with you. When you speak them to yourself, I hope you can believe them, feel them deep in your soul, and even if they don’t ring 100% true for you in this moment, allow them to serve as a guide point, a goal, or something to look forward to, knowing that this repetitive practice will bring you the ultimate result you deeply desire.

I love my resiliency and my adaptability  (This one is one of those “goal” affirmations. I feel it about 50% and the repetition allows me to act as if!)

I am strong, confident, and capable

I take everything one moment at a time

I am loved, supported, and cared for always (I love to repeat this affirmation in moments where I feel a lack in love, support, and care, because even if I feel unloved and abandoned, reminding myself that above all else, I am here for me, always gives me comfort and relief).

I am doing my best, and my best is always enough

If you feel called, I’d love to hear what affirmations you’re using to bring some happiness, positivity, and calm into your lives, during these stressful days. Share your inspiration in the comments below.

xo, Michelle

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10 Reminders for Effective Communication

Dear friends,

I want to talk about communication today, and why I think many, many of our problems could be mitigated or lessened if we mastered it in an aligned way.

The other day I was catching up with a friend, who was telling a story about how she felt a bit frantic about the uncertainty of our lives. She specifically was upset about the lack of communication in her work, as far as scheduling, working from home, and the fear of staying employed. We chatted about it all and I completely resonated and empathized with everything she was saying, and I know so many of us are going through very similar emotions. The one thing that stuck out to me in a major way, was just how big the communication piece was for her in this very difficult time. Her employer was not communicating with her at all, which caused her to write her own stories, and stew in her own anxiety, with no answers or clarity.

As we know life can feel difficult and confusing, but with the intention to communicate clearly, regularly, and with aligned intention, we can start to feel a deeper sense of power, purpose, and certainty.

From my own personal life experience, I notice a world of difference within myself when I practice mindful communicating skills. So often our issues stem from small miscommunications that grow to be major life problems, and I think it’s empowering to know that we can set the intention to communicate better, clearer and in a kind way, we can start to feel more at peace and in control of the lives we lead.

I’ve pieced together 10 helpful tips to remember when seeking to be a better communicator. I rely on these on a regular basis, and I hope they can come in handy for you, too!

Know who you are and what you want:  If you’re unclear from the inside out, the outside probably won’t ever feel truly aligned! When faced with any sort of interaction, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of who you are, and what your true desires are. Clarity is a key component of communication.Say what you mean, and don’t play games:  Too often we are afraid to say what we actually mean, for fear of negative retribution, but when we aren’t 100% clear with our words, things go haywire anyways. It’s always best to say what you mean, and avoid word gimmicks that try to manipulate a person or a situation.Be intentional with your words:  How many times have you said something without thinking and immediately regretted it. Our words are powerful, and it’s really easy for things come out of our mouths without fully thinking of what they mean and what they represent. Try to be aware and mindful of what you’re saying, the words you’re using, and the intention behind them. You’ll feel must more in control of your conversations when you know fully that you always mean what you say.Be present in every interaction: So much miscommunication comes from not being present to our own interactions. There have been countless times that I’ve gotten myself into a hairy situation or argument because I wasn’t fully paying attention to an important conversation, and missed a needed detail. Being present not only saves you time, it lets the other person or group of people know that you care and that you value the time spent in dialogue. Your relationships with colleagues and loved ones will begin to flourish when you provide your presence.Take responsibility: Being responsible for proper communication has been a big one for me personally. There have been many times when I have sensed that a person I’m in conversation with, and I,  are not actually on the same page, and we begin talking without addressing the confusion, hoping it might simply, magically, sort itself out. Waiting for someone else to clarify a situation is pretty frustrating and time consuming. If you sense that thoughts and words aren’t clear, take it upon yourself to reach out, speak up, in whatever form of communication needed, to clear the air, and set up a solid foundation for that communication and relationship to flourish.Ask questions:  There’s a meme on social media of a person who, in conversation, asks “what?” so many times before finally giving up and not ever getting the answer to the question. I tend to be that person, but the truth is, asking questions brings clarity. If there are pieces of your conversational puzzle that don’t make sense, it’s on you to ask for more detail and clarity! You are not wrong, and you are not an inconvenience when you ask for more information in any circumstance.It’s okay to be vulnerable: We are all human beings, with thoughts, feelings, emotions, and sensitivities. Think about this when communicating with someone else. When we enter a situation with armor and an ironclad wall around us, we get that type of communication in return. Breaking down barriers, by being vulnerable is a wonderful way to connect with someone, and often times, will bring about a deeper, more meaningful relationship.Tell the truth: It has become increasingly more clear to me how much I really dislike lying: any version of it. So when I sense someone isn’t telling the full truth, or is pitching a half-truth, or is straight up telling no version of the truth, I shut down. I can’t take it. Telling the truth, even when it’s hard, is a sign of respect. The truth might not always be an easy pill to swallow, but I guarantee it is always worthwhile.Know that sometimes it’s time to be silent and listen: In many cases, interactions require silence, where we can step back, contemplate, marinate, and then speak again. There have been so many times in my life where I wish I had taken moments of silence to collect myself, rather than spewing out the first words that came to mind. Sometimes the quiet moments can feel unnerving and uncomfortable, in practice, we can start to value those in-between moments, knowing that in that stillness we can find the answers and the space in order to feel clarity in speaking again.Take space: In any circumstance, it is always okay to take space from a situation to collect yourself, get clear on what you want to say, and come back in a calm and composed way. I find that whenever I allow myself the space to sit, breathe, and understand, the outcomes of the situation always feel more resolved and aligned.

I hope these powerful reminders help you in life and in your communications! Remember, we are all approaching situations with our own unique circumstances and life experiences, so we will never fully see a situation with the same set of eyes, but I believe if we start to incorporate some of these tactics into our every day lives, we will see the benefits of understanding, patience, and kindness.

xo, Michelle

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