Consider Yourself Hugged

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, week 2,  we're diving into a crucial topic: Leading by example, and in particular: self-care. It's not just a buzzword; it's a vital part of maintaining our mental health. This week I'm using some recommended resources from the National Council for Mental Well-being, the organization that sponsors the Mental Health First Aid course. Yo...

Welcome to May - Mental Health Awareness Month! Each week this month we'll dive into practices that will help you with your mental wellbeing. This week? Meditation with Dr. FF, as she is affectionately known. Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/mental-health-awareness-month-part-i-meditation. Jennifer Fisch-Ferguson lives in Michigan where she does all the things writing. She is busy...

Last Wednesday I had 2 events on the same day (Listen to the full story.) While getting out of the car at my 2nd event, I fell and face-planted on the asphalt in the parking lot. The lesson that applies to our time today? The event was a women’s workshop sponsored by the White House Area Chamber of Commerce. It’s in my hometown, so I know the leaders – 3 wonderful women! Tim was with me, and a few...

In today's episode, we'll explore the intricate relationship between women, at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/stress-awareness-month-part-iii-money. Personal Reflections on MoneyGrowing up with financial instability can leave a lasting impact. Here are some reflections on how a poor understanding of money can affect decisions and stress levels:- My childhood in poverty taught me that mone...

Recently I listened to a stress management podcast. I really liked her style and her content. It was odd, but there was one thing she said that struck me as she spoke about journaling: When we put our worries onto paper, it moves them from the emotions center to the thinking center. And then she moved on. I thought, "I’ve given advice like that before. And moved on."What I found myself w...

How embarrassing that I had no idea April is National Stress Awareness Month. Of course, I’m not a fan of the word, but I am a fan of helping people deal with this concept we call stress. I was walking Charlies this morning, thinking Oh I’ll just do 4 sessions about stress, that’s what I do, that’ll be easy! But it wasn’t. I’ve been speaking about stress for about 20 years, and today I felt a real...

Today, I have a strongly worded message for my pal, Perfectionism:Get out of my life.... today!!! I hope you have the same message. I didn't realize until recently that it has been rearing it's ugly head in my life again, and I will not continue to allow that! Today we'll talk about causes of perfectionism, the vicious cycle, and what to do for more peace. Do You Battle Perfectionis...

Let's start by defining the word guilt:AI definition: Guilt is an emotional state characterized by feelings of responsibility or remorse for having committed a wrongdoing or for failing to meet a certain standard of behavior, often accompanied by a sense of regret or self-blame. Dictionary.com definition: the fact of having committed a specified or implied offense or crime. So, in my summary,...

Welcome back to the second part of our series on debunking the myth of having "no time" and delving into the essential aspect of self-care. In Part I (go to show notes to find link for part I at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/mythofnotimeii), we threw boulders at the common notion that time is an elusive entity, demonstrating how it's more about priorities than scarcity. Now, in Part...

Welcome in! Part I will cover why it’s a myth and Part II, how to better take care of yourself. This all started with a “remodel” of my guest bathroom (story in episode!)Let’s get this out-of-the-way: if you have a new baby, a new job, you’re in school, a single parent, taking care of an elderly parent, etc. your time is definitely more limited! Today we'll do a couple of things: First, we&ap...

Welcome back, friends! This is our final episode of the Developing Emotional Maturity series, and I hope it’s been helpful to you. Thank you all for commenting and helping me choose the new CYH 2024 logo. I personally love it and the graphic designer is super talented! I hope you like the new opening as well. Now, onward! Week 1, we set the stage for our journey towards emotional maturity. We disc...

Welcome back, fellow Hug Seekers! I hope February has been great for you. In this series, first we set the stage for our journey towards emotional maturity. We discussed the importance of this quest as a framework for our daily interactions and personal growth. If you haven't yet, I encourage you to listen to the last episode, link in show notes, and download the self-assessment tool from the...

Welcome back, friends! Happy Day before Valentine’s Day! I hope February has been great for you. Last week, we set the stage for our journey towards emotional maturity. We discussed the importance of this quest, not just in the context of Valentine's Day but as a framework for our daily interactions and personal growth. If you haven't yet, I encourage you to listen to the last episode, l...

My desire to delve into emotional maturity was actually sparked by a recent incident that brought to light the importance of understanding and managing our emotions. This incident reminded me of the complexities of our emotional responses and the impact they have on our interactions. Emotional maturity, a topic I realized I hadn't explored in depth for some time, is crucial for navigating lif...

Hello, everyone! First, I want to start with a heartfelt thank you. Your kindness has been a beacon during my recovery, and I'm pleased to say I'm doing well – the stitches are out, and my head is clear, all thanks to your well-wishes! Our AI Adventure: In this special episode, my son Jamie and I share the evolution of our work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) – a journey that's as...

Hi friends and welcome to the notes for my first Facebook Live/Podcast/YouTube of 2024. Happy New Year!! Michelle and Gracie will be joining me from time to time as guests host, so you'll see a few more changes to graphics, etc. a bit down the road. I'm going to share 8 of those lessons - some longer than others. Here’s a summary, and be sure to listen to hear more details! 1. The Import...

Join us today as Michelle shares a personal story of being with her sister in the ER and then guides us in a conversation centered on finding comfort. This is our last episode of the season, so be sure to stay in touch! What gives you comfort in difficult situations?· Humor!· Having people around you· Having someone ask you what you need or if you need help.· Warmth: blankets, holding warm beverag...

Join us today as Gracie guides us in a discussion about the differences between toxic positivity and healthy positive attitude. We all want good outcomes in our relationships and interactions, but sometimes “good” doesn’t necessarily mean comfortable. And sometimes “comfortable” isn’t healthy. Being aware and purposeful about our motivations, intentions, and having a good understanding of our feel...

Join us today as Christian Woods helps us understand what self-sabotage is and how to overcome it. Christina lived a life that seemed fine, but there came a time when she realized she wasn’t truly happy. Christina lived a life that seemed fine, but there came a time when she realized she wasn’t truly happy. Join us today to hear her story of how she changed her life! (Complete show notes at https:...

So how did this episode come about? In August, I did a week long professional development for teachers out in Houston about mental health. When one of the teachers left, she said, “Hey, do you have any podcast episodes about the effects of our mental health as parents on our children?” I said no and then thought, Oh, that would be great. I asked my counselor. I said, “Hey, I think I'm going t...

Join us today as we chat with EFT Master Practitioner and Hypnotherapist, Theresa Levine. Theresa's battles with past traumas, high-functioning anxiety, and ADHD trapped her in a recurring groundhog day of dis-ease, distraction, and dissatisfaction. A transformative pivot came when exhaustion, insomnia, and the struggle to be present in her own abundantly blessed life broke her down. She is i...

The issue of the day: Do you judge others, and pertaining to what issues? Laziness? Procrastination? Thinking they know everything? They don't care? Stuck-up? So, many times we judge and then we talk about it. Why? Today, Tami guides us through a discussion about why we judge and how to manage it, including compassion and emotional maturity. Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/judging...

1 in 6 people worldwide, and 1 in 5 in the USA experience infertility. 1/3 is due to female issues, 1/3 is due to male issues, and 1/3 is due to both and unknown infertility issues. Join us today as Amber Stuehser shares her story of the highs and lows dealing with infertility. She'll share her heart and provide some valuable information! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/infertilit...

Last week we chatted about the emotions elicited by the recent Publix commercial about blended families. I still watch it the entire way through every time it comes on! Today, I'll share with you 7 tips from a recent article posted by the Gottman Institute. I'll throw in my successes and not successes and encourage those of you who are in these families that have their own unique challen...

Today, it's just me having a short chat with you! This Publix commercial has aired over and over and each time I watch the entire thing! I figured it touched others as well, so join me today and let's examine just a bit. Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/emotions-blended-family-publix-commercial Connect with us Instagram: Consider Yourself Hugged (new account!) TikTok: Short cl...