Intelligent Intoxication

There are two emotions I encourage you to practice feeling regularly in order to embrace life in the empty-nest stage: acceptance and willingness.  When we feel acceptance, we are thinking something along the lines of: “I’m no longer going to argue with what is or what I need to do in order to thrive.” We are more likely to: step out of resistance and a tendency to complain allow ourselves to feel...

We overcomplicate feeling “purposeful” as empty-nesters. The solution is pretty simple - identify your gifts (what comes so easily to you that you may disregard it), and learn how to apply your gifts to your passions (anything you’re curious about or drawn to).  We encounter resistance to living our passion when we lack the awareness of our passions and gifts, and or the willingness or ability to...

“Your self-concept is simply the collection of thoughts that you have about yourself. These thoughts make up your beliefs about you and who you are. Your self-concept determines how you feel and it determines the results that you get (or don’t get) for yourself.” Kristen Carder/Focused with Kristen Carder I encourage you to take about 5 minutes to complete the following exercise: Write down every...

“Freedom starts when you can identify the aggravation you’ve been accommodating for so long.” Danielle LaPorte When we’re “free”, we are intentional regarding how we invest our time, energy, and resources. When we’re “accodomating”, we’re buffering difficult emotions with unhelpful habits and choices.  I invite you to consider these questions: Where in your life do things feel inflamed or monotono...

We all struggle with decision-making at times, whether it’s packing for a trip, deciding what to spend money on, or what to change or shift in our lives.  Sometimes, decision-making can feel overwhelming, and even unsafe. Here are a few questions for your consideration: What narratives play in your mind surrounding decisions? (ie: “If you make the wrong decision, the consequences will be irreparab...

We all tend to overcomplicate choices and decisions. But when we embrace the “just choose” mindset, we practice choosing BEFORE we have clarity or despite the fact that our choices may be imperfect.  I invite you to consider these questions: When do you notice not “just choosing” in your life? What clarity are you trying to find before you choose? What if clarity is only available during or after,...

As mothers, we often resist asking for or receiving help because we don’t want to be a burden for others. Accepting help also frees us to work in our own Zone of Genius. You have the right to ask for and receive what feels like “help” to you.  Being in a state of hypervigilance can prevent us from asking for or receiving help. If we’ve experienced being let down by others, asking for help can feel...

Time Anxiety is a psychological condition characterized by a feeling of uneasiness, fear or dread related to the passage of time. It’s associated with the feeling of being rushed, stressed and anxious about not having enough time to accomplish goals, or effectively use one’s time.  Which of these symptoms are you experiencing: feeling rushed and stressed? fearing missing deadlines or being late? w...

As a mother, it’s common to forget what you find truly valuable or what really matters to you.  I invite you to consider to these questions: What activities, experiences, or relationships are genuinely valuable to you? What really matters to you? What doesn’t? How willing are you to prioritize what you find to be valuable? If you know you could use some support and encouragement as you clarify wha...

If you’re feeling unsatisfied, stuck, or unfulfilled in your empty nest stage, it’s likely because you’re trying to live the same life you shared with your children when they were home. Much as a full schedule fails to ensure fulfillment, staying stuck in the emptiness of a life stage that’s ended will not be satisfying. We must be willing to create a different life once our children grow up and m...

I invite you to reconsider the way that you measure your success as a parent with these indicators: Did you keep showing up even when it was challenging and you were “squirming” because you didn’t know “everything”? Did you offer your kids opportunities to find and develop their passions and interests? Did you make continuous progress as a parent because you were willing to keep trying new approac...

If you’re in your empty nest stage of life or on the brink of it, it’s crucial that you prioritize identities in addition to being a “parent” or “mother”.  I invite you to consider exploring these new identities… are you a/an: Artist or creator? Explorer or seeker? Caregiver or nurturer? Teacher or sage? Performer or entertainer? Visionary or innovator? Athlete or warrior? Builder or engineer? Hea...

If you know you could use some support and accountability, email me to schedule a complimentary happy hour call: terribradwaylifecoaching@coachbradway.com Thank you for investing your valuable time and energy into listening to the podcast. I’m so very grateful for you.  If you enjoyed this episode, you can “tip the bartender” by rating and reviewing the podcast. Your review makes it easier for oth...

If you notice that you’re no longer making progress towards your goals or you don’t have the results that you want, you have two options: Rely on trusted tips, strategies, habits, and tools that have worked for you in the past Accept that you might need to increase your self-awareness by trying and learning something new I invite you to consider these questions: How willing are you to try somethin...

When we say “trust your gut” or “trust your instinct”, we are referring to the ability to: “... the sudden flash of insight from deep within can inspire plenty of faith… trusting these feelings of intuition, often as a way to stay true to yourself… following your instinct can certainly direct you toward the best path for you. And yet, you might wonder whether you should put so much trust in a feel...

According to Psychology Today, “empty nest syndrome” is: “Empty nest syndrome refers to the distress and other complicated emotions that parents often experience when their children leave home.” In order to navigate these uncomfortable emotions and this new stage, here are a few suggestions: Begin to prioritize who you will invest time and energy into in this new phase of life.  Start to declutter...

If you are “performing” for others, you are trying to impress others, or seeking attention from them almost as if they’re your audience.  When we’re deeply connected to others, we are present, interested, and curious about the other person.  Here are a few questions for your consideration: When do you notice talking AT other people, rather than engaging with them? What is your intention for doing...

“Happiness is not a feeling… one of the biggest reasons people don’t get happier is that they’re chasing a feeling… feelings are evidence of happiness… the three parts of happiness are enjoyment, satisfaction and meaning.” Arthur C. Brooks/author Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier. According to Brooks, if you want to get happier, you must develop the skills needed to:...

I’m thrilled to share with you a brilliant resource I just found: Overcoming Overthinking, Ruminating, and Intrusive Thoughts Workbook Licensed Therapist, Suzette Bray, shares her professional insights, tips, and strategies for overcoming these three unhelpful thought patterns.  When we’re overthinking, we’re stuck in thinking about the future in the form of worries, what ifs, and worst-case scena...

A diagnosis for a mental health disorder is not meant to label you or become part of your identity. A diagnosis is intended to provide you with the information you need to work with a professional to create a plan that will allow you to thrive as you curate a life that is sustainably satisfying to you.   Here’s how the Mental Health Management Group (MHMG) explains a diagnosis: “A mental health di...

If you were the main character in a movie of your life, what might the audience be yellling at you to finally do? Finally stop doing? Finally be or create? I invite you to consider these questions: When you think of your own “Just BLANK already”, what is preventing you from doing it? How active is your Inner Critic? Do you need a teacher, mentor, or coach to support your progress? Are you focused...

We don’t build momentum before we get “moving”. First, we get into motion, then we create momentum.  Here are a few strategies to try in order to build momentum: On paper, brainstorm any tasks you’ve been waiting to do until you build momentum or “feel” like it.  Block off time on your calendar to focus.  Practice the Pomodoro productivity technique: Pomodoro Technique Buy a time cube here: Time C...

If you’re feeling stuck, ask yourself: What’s working in my life so far this year? What’s not working in my life? I invite you to consider these questions: How willing are you to ask for help and support if something isn’t working in your life? What might prevent you from doing so? When something isn’t working, how active or loud is your Inner Critic chatter? If you know you could use some support...

When we don’t “like” someone, it’s often because we aren’t compatible with them or to them. It’s likely that our values, views, habits, passions, or priorities just don’t match.  When you notice that you don’t like someone, try this: “I’m noticing that I don’t like him/her. I wonder if it’s because we aren’t compatible.” I invite you to consider these questions: When do you notice not wanting to s...

Dr. Stuart Ablon, creator of Think:Kids, bases his work with “challenging” kids on this six-word philosophy:  “Kids do well if they can.” The implication in these six words is that kids want to do well but don’t have the skills to do so.  Ablon is also the author of the book Change-able: How Collaborative Problem Solving Changes Lives at Home, at School, and at Work: Change-able Here’s a terrific...