Creating Connection

In the rush to support each other with recommending self-care strategies, it can lead to a scattergun approach.   What you may find more helpful is an intentional self-care approach.   Practicing tuning in and checking in with yourself is at the centre of an intentional self-care approach. Self-care is about taking responsibility for your mental and physical health.  Your self-care...

As a mother you carry around a bundle of expectations in a 'normal' life.  Today I revisited my resource on taking the first step from overwhelm to calm to assess it's value for right now.  I found that it basically all still applies.  There are a few more expectations added on, and some losses to examine.  I have therefore added a new journal prompt to look at the losses. When...

You deserve a break.  Just a few minutes where you don't have to make any decisions!  Sit or lie down, press start and take time for self-care.  You can then use this strategy on and off all day.  So useful to keep your stress response under control. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connection is the "energy that exists between people wh...

If you have a daughter and want to help strengthen your bond with her, reduce her sense of isolation and help protect her mental health, here are five ways that can help. Flexibility - of ways to communicate, when and where to communicate.  Be open to situations that arise.   Time - take the time to be there, to tell them you love them, to look them in the eye when they are coming and go...

The experience you had at the birth of your child was unique to you.   Did it leave you feeling exhilarated, ashamed, joyous, disappointed, empty? Or a mixture.... Whatever you felt was not right or wrong. It just was (or still is)..   You may never have had your birth story validated.  Maybe you carry it around as a secret shame. Well, in this episode I talk a little about what imp...

In this episode I introduce my 5 step approach to managing your emotions-  ABOLD approach.  The acronym emphasises that it takes courage to make a change, courage to open yourself to awareness and acceptance, and courage to step into YOUR best life. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connection is the "energy that exists between people when they fe...

Trusting people with your authentic self, starts with knowing and accepting your inner self.  When you face situations that lead to self-doubt it can be easy to lose sight of who you truely are.  In this episode I talk a bit about what it was like for me to recover from one of the (many) vulnerabilities I faced.  I hope that this helps you realise that we all share the ups and downs...

Have you ever been taken advantage of, had your trust betrayed, got stuck in an unequal power relationship? Trust – it’s a slippery little sucker. Trust and vulnerability are a cornerstone of connection. Join me in a different sort of episode and hear how my trust was broken by a therapist and I give you suggestions about how you can protect yourself from being caught living with trust violations....

If you have tried listing pros and cons, asking other people for their advice and still not knowing what to do - here is a different way of approaching making decisions.  If you know you want to make changes in your life and don't know where to start you need to know what is important to you.  That is the only way of making sure you are NOT living someone else's dream.   -----------...

If you have felt overwhelm, if you are no longer sure about what your inner voice is telling you, if you feel a heavy sensation in your chest that cannot be relieved by reordering your to do list, this episode is for you. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In a world where loneliness and isolation are epidemic, how do you find your way back to connection? C...

How many times a day do you hear this word come out of your mouth?  I ‘should’ go to the gym, I ‘should’ got for a walk, I ‘should’ call my friend, I ‘should’ clean the house, I ‘should’ do the grocery shopping, I ‘should’ stay back at work and finish that report, I ‘cant’ go out I have too much to do, ‘I shouldn’t feel like this.  The list goes on. So, what’s wrong with saying ‘should’....

This episode looks at some of the major myths and lies about motherhood, and how they get in the way of connection and your wellbeing.  Can you identify which ones might be getting in your way?  If you let me know - I will look at ways to help you with these in future episodes. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In a world where loneliness and iso...

A reminder of our common humanity and how important it is for you to find and create beauty in your everyday life. What are your main challenges with connection?  I would love to hear from you about what topics you would like me to talk about.  You can contact me at creatingconnectionsthatmatter@gmail.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- In a...

Are you clear about your what is most important to you?  What you hold important is generally referred to as your values. Values are like the compasses that guide your journey.   They guide your decision making and the choices in your life. When you are disconnected from your values your life may feel like it lacks direction or meaning. I am here to help you with that reconnection....

It's easy to get caught up in the little details of our life and not see the whole picture.  If you want a practical example of perspective, do a jigsaw puzzle, (or even a wasgij puzzle for an extra challenge).  Notice what happens when you stop doing the puzzle and take a break - you will often find things are clearer when you go back to it.  Or ever had someone come along and know...

Ever experience feeling lonely in a crowded room? It's easy to get trapped in the loneliness spiral. Here's one easy tip to take you out of yourself. I'd love to know what you think.... https://www.positiveyoungminds.com.au/7simplestepstoselfcare.htmlConnectedness is one of the key pillars to your wellbeing. If improving your self-care is part of your New Year's resolution - have a sneak peak at m...

Many people experience social anxiety and some of those use alcohol as a 'social lubricant'.  But when you are impaired by alcohol or in the company of someone else who is....that's not the way to be seen, heard and valued. And I tell you the disconcerting advice that one of my children's paediatrician gave me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- In a wo...

If you look back on this year and can't see a clear success.  If everything seems confused and messy and you aren't sure why? Then this episode is for you.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- In a world where loneliness and isolation are epidemic, how do you find your way back to connection? Brene Brown describes connection as the "energy that exi...

Does all the busyness in your life really matter? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- In a world where loneliness and isolation are epidemic, how do you find your way back to connection? Brene Brown describes connection as the "energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued..." . Join me, Kim Dunn, Psychologist, to find out how to rec...

Connecting with and setting boundaries is an important part of psychological self-care.  It's Ok, in fact it's important, to say no. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- In a world where loneliness and isolation are epidemic, how do you find your way back to connection? Brene Brown describes connection as the "energy that exists between people when they f...

If you have adult children you know finding time to connect with them can be tricky - but it is so important you do. The recent Young Australian Loneliness Survey showed that a significant proportion of young Victorians reported problematic levels of loneliness. This included one in six adolescents (aged 12–17) and more than one in three young adults (aged 18–25).   --------------------------...

Self-care is looking after your mental and physical health.  How can you make the most of the time you set aside for self-care?  Recently I attended a clay workshop - which ticked not just the connection box, but other self-care boxes.  The following are some of the boxes it ticked. Connection ticks 1. I met new people - connecting with peers 2. I met I knew from online and had neve...

Rumination - when we talk about and think about our problems over and over again.  It's getting stuck in a loop of negative thinking. Episode 21/90 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- In a world where loneliness and isolation are epidemic, how do you find your way back to connection? Brene Brown describes connection as the "energy that exists between peo...

Did you know that one of the best predictors of whether you will continue with an exercise program is whether or not you enjoy it?  It sounds quite logical doesn't it.  Yet how many times do you try and persevere with an activity you're not actually enjoying.  In this brief episode I talk about being guided in your activity by listening to and connecting with yourself.  Episode...

When you go by yourself to function/networking tips you can caught up in overthinking what to say or do.  Take the pressure of yourself with these three quick tips 1. be aware of your fidget points and think about how you can reduce them. 2. dress for comfort (and I don't mean trackie pants!) 3. take time to appreciate the event, the organisers, the effort - in other words, bask in some grati...