Live fully in midlife and beyond
“This moving away from comfort and security, this stepping out into what is unknown, uncharted, and shaky – that’s called liberation.”
― Pema Chödrön
I love Pema.
I read her words and listen to her voice when things are tough.
And right now, I need her words.
Because lately, I’ve been confronted with difficult emotions, as I know most of us have.
Continue reading “Getting uncomfortable to make change happen”
I actually wrote this post a couple of years ago.
But I think it’s particularly useful in this moment.
Because I wrote it at a time when I was personally experiencing a lot of anxiety, and someone close to me had just had an anxiety attack.
Now, collectively, we’re experiencing a time of uncertainty and that’s causing a lot of anxiety.
And anxiety it’s important to acknowledge that anxiety is a normal human feeling.
It’s not something we can get rid of.
But it is something we can bring awareness to, and actually address using simple, calm ideas.
So, here’s the post I wrote, with some minor changes:
The way I deal with life’s challenges: I run away from them
Actually I really do, but maybe not in the way it sounds.
When I’m stressed, when I’m faced with difficult decisions, or when life just feels heavy, I’ve learned that going outside for run or walk lightens my load and uplifts me.
Running from my problems makes them seem smaller.
I don’t know why exactly this is.
Maybe it’s the endorphins from the cardio, or focusing on something else other than the issue, or the perspective of the vastness of the outdoor space that I’m running in.
It’s probably all the above.
All I know is that running outside works for me.
The reason I bring this up is that someone very close to me suffered a severe panic attack recently.
And we had to call an ambulance.
Continue reading “Finding your calm during a pandemic”
It’s crazy.
Yes, this month has been crazy.
But what’s really crazy is how hard we are on ourselves.
I’ve just been reflecting on this.
Like you, I’ve been home a whole lot these past weeks and I realize how crazy some of my thoughts are.
Continue reading “Why the pandemic should be happening”
I’m not generally a morning snoozer these days.
But in the past I’ve stayed in bed after my alarm, awake, internally protesting against getting up to go to work.
“Just a few more minutes,” I’d silently negotiate with myself.
And then it would frustrate me to be rushing around to leave the house.
I remember this being especially true when the kids were younger and I would have to push them through their morning routine.
I dreaded those mornings.
They usually ended in raised voices, defiance, and on occasion, melt downs (mine more than theirs.)
Continue reading “Do you choose to snooze?”
I get discouraged easily.
When I get excited about doing something new, I start out strong…
But with time (not a very long time) my enthusiasm fizzles, and I’m back to square one.
It’s happened when I tried to read a book a week, when I attempted to write 750 words every morning, when I tried to cut out all sugar in one shot…
I’ve started and stopped so many things.
I imagine you have too.
Continue reading “The power of one”
It’s New Year’s eve here in Montreal.
I always love this day because it’s like all kinds of fresh new possibilities are about to be released and anything is possible.
It’s a time to go for what you want and become more of who you were meant to be.
Now, that being said, are you clear about what you want in 2020?
Continue reading “Your 2020 vision”
I just watched the Netflix documentary “The Game Changers.”
Have you seen it?
If you’re interested in plant-based eating, but have questions, doubts, or a skeptical significant other, then it’s worth the watch.
It’s well done, and convincing… Especially, I’d say, for men.
Continue reading “Have you seen “The Game Changers”?”
A few weeks ago I wrote a blog post exploring our belief that aging is inevitable.
The post was inspired by a podcast I was listening to.
And that led me to read the book that inspired the podcast.
Dr. David Sinclair was the interviewee of that podcast, and the author of the book, “Lifespan: Why We Age—and Why We Don’t Have To.”
This book is powerful, and full of the latest cutting-edge science in the field of aging.
Shortly after finishing the book, and by beautiful coincidence, I found out the guy – Dr. David Sinclair – was coming to McGill as a guest speaker at their annual science symposium!
Continue reading “This may be a little uncomfortable…”
Ahhh, exercise.
We all enjoy the effects of it, but a lot of the time we don’t really want to do it.
That includes me.
However, I’m in the habit now of exercising daily, and I can truly say it’s just part of my routine (I actually get up 25 minutes earlier to do it because mornings are my best time.)
And it feels so good, that I just want to keep doing it… Really!
So what can you do to make exercise just a regular part of your day?
Here are a few ideas:
Continue reading “4 Ways to Get Your Daily Dose of Exercise”
Summer is definitely here, and if you’re living in the east of Canada, like me, it’s a beautiful one so far.
Of course, with summer comes more skin.
And maybe you’re noticing your belly isn’t as bikini-ready as you wanted it.
Is it your changing hormones?
Ya, maybe.
If you’re getting close to, or are smack-dab in the middle of menopause, then this is possible.
In that case, you may have some extra belly protruding around, or just below, your belly button.
But there may be another explanation.
Could your belly bloating woes be seasonal?
Continue reading “Do you have Summer Belly?”