Practically Happy

This liminal space between Christmas and the New Year is a beautiful time to look back and reflect on the ups and downs of the year we are finishing. I love the walk down memory lane, and invite you to do the same for your own live and meaning-making! Join a retreat! livefreecreative.co/retreats Find full show notes at livefreecreative.co/podcast Follow Miranda on Instagram @livefreemiranda Get on...

Where does patience reside? Is it something we can run out of, like when we express being "short on patience"? Or might there be a different understanding of how we access this well of stillness, waiting, and presence? Listen today to explore the power of deep patience and cultivating presence in daily life. Sponsor: BetterHelp Therapy. Visit BetterHelp.com/LIVEFREE and use code LIVEFREE for $10 y...

This week is the last week of class before the Holiday Break! I am excited to take a couple weeks off to let the ideas and information from the semester marinate in my brain. Also excited to spend less time in front of a screen and more time LIVING MY LIFE! Sponsor: StoryWorth makes a perfect Holiday gift! Visit storyworth.com/livefree for $10 off your order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

We have all heard of optimism, but how is it determined? And how can we grow it? In this episode I share some specific activities that can help you flex your optimism muscle, thereby benefiting your life. Sponsors: Visit HelloFresh.com/Livefree18 and use code LIVEFREE18 for 18 free meals and free shipping! Visit OMGYES.com/livefree for a special discount Find full show notes at livefreecreative.co...

I have finally cracked the code on how long it will take me to do homework, read articles, and write papers...and the semester is about to end! In this episode, I share the latest paper I turned in (I read it to you!) and invite you to reflect on moments in your life that have felt meaning-filled. References: Baumeister, R. F., & Vohs, K. D. (2002). The pursuit of meaningfulness in life. In C. R....

What's the difference between expectations and appreciation, and why do these ideas matter? In this episode I share some interesting insight into the pros and cons of expectation and appreciation, and invite you to join me in being less attached and more grateful. Sponsor: Join me at a retreat in 2023! Find all of the information here: livefreecreative.co/retreats Find full show notes at livefreec...

People are different! There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to what "the good life" looks like. This week I was struck by the importance of looking at the whole person with openness and curiosity, when considering how to help them increase in happiness. Reference: Pedrotti, J. T., & Edwards, L. M. (2017). Cultural context in positive psychology: History, research, and opportunities for growth....

Here we go! Another December coming in hot. What does your season FEEL like right now? As you look ahead, do you know they WHY for what you are planning? In this episode I share a simple exercise that may help you invite more meaning into the season. Sponsor: Shop bombas.com/livefree for and use code LIVEFREE for 20% your order! Visit livefreecreative.co/retreats to learn more about 2023 events Fi...

Another onsite (live class) weekend and I'm feeling good. I was happy to see my classmates again, feeling like we actually KNOW each other a little bit better. As far as classes, it was love at first sight with between me and mindfulness. Stop, Breathe, and Be with me, courtesy of Dr. Michael Baime. Refrerences: https://www.mindfulnesscds.com/ Michael Baime: https://youtu.be/MO94u6eOeiE Learn more...

I know, it's only November, but it's always a great time to have something to look forward to! In this episode I share the science of anticipation, and how looking forward helps us feel better. Sponsor: Visit betterhelp.com/livefreecreative and use LIVEFREE for 50% off your first month. Find full show notes at livefreecreative.co/podcast Follow Miranda on Instagram @livefreemiranda Get one-on-one...

This week wasn't as overwhelming and stressful as the previous weeks--maybe because I was on retreat? Here's to more segmentation of my time and more intersection of my skills as a student, entrepreneur, and mom. References: Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. Harper Perennial.  Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: P...

So many of us see life as a race to the finish line-- and often we miss the good stuff along the way. This show is some wisdom from Season 1 I am bringing back for all of our benefit. Achievement as the whole purpose is a myth. Let's seek fulfillment along the way! Sponsor: Visit www.organifi.com/creative and use CREATIVE for 20% off your order Find full show notes at livefreecreative.co/podcast F...

A little down time = a lot of good feelings and hope for the future. This week I dive into the afterglow of in-person connection, what's coming up this weekend, and hope theory as a strategy for bettering our lives. Reference: Magyar-Moe, J. L., & Lopez, S. J. (2015). Strategies for accentuating hope. Positive psychology in practice: Promoting human flourishing in work, health, education, and ever...

If our lives are stories, than each new stage is a different chapter. How well do you close one and open the next? In this episode, I share some thoughts to consider around the transition through the different stages and seasons of our lives. Sponsors: Visit bombas.com/livefree and use code LIVEFREE for 20% off your entire order! Perfect stocking stuffers! Visit organifi.com/creative and use code...

This week I got to meet my classmates in real life with handshakes, high-fives, and lots of hugs. It's incredible to feel so close to so many after just 2 months of virtual learning. It was a dynamic weekend and I'm still on a high from the conversations and learning. Read Arthur Brooks new book: From Strength to Strength Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know you are not your emotions? Sometimes it feels natural to say we ARE mad, sad, or glad. When, in reality, those are things we FEEL. In this word swap episode, I share some insights that can help create distance between our identity and our emotions, inviting grace and patience in the process. SPONSOR: visit www.organifi.com/creative and use code CREATIVE for 20% off your order Find ful...

This week I realized my cycle has been synched with class in the least effective possible way-- fatigue and stress on the days leading up to on-site classes. Part of being a human woman in the world! My favorite theory of the week is Anchoring. Hear all about it in happy class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you do when you realize things have gotten a little heavy in life? Lighten Up! My lightening up look like singing show tunes in the shower and dancing in the kitchen. What does yours look like? Sponsor: Take 10% off of your first month at BetterHelp.com/LIVEFREE Find full show notes at livefreecreative.co/podcast Follow Miranda on Instagram @livefreemiranda Get one-on-one coaching with Mir...

Our first big group project is turned-in! I loved learning more about how people make decisions and...drumroll please...how LESS is actually MORE! Seems like someone around here has felt that way for a while;) Reference: Schwartz, B. (2004). The paradox of choice. ECCO.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the weather in the northern hemisphere dips down into fall/winter temps, your active outdoor lifestyle may need a shift! I feel it, too, so today I share some ideas to stay active all winter long. SPONSOR: Visit ISSUE.com/livefree to get started creating! Find full show notes at livefreecreative.co/podcast Follow Miranda on Instagram @livefreemiranda Get one-on-one coaching with Miranda at Patr...

Our second on-site for the MAPP program just ended, and I am eyeball deep in new information, ideas, and inspiration. Here's how it went! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you find yourself frozen in indecision with big or small choices? Life gives us more and more options, and sometimes rather than help, that vast array actually begins to hurt. In this episode I share some tips to invite you from Decision Fatigue into Decision Ease. Sponsor: Get a $75 job credit with Indeed.com/LIVEFREE Find full show notes at livefreecreative.co/podcast Follow Miranda on Instag...

Am I cut out for this program? It is yet to be seen. I am learning a whole lot, and all of the information leads to more and more questions. I think this means I'm on the right track. References: Clifton, J. D., & Meindl, P. (2021). Parents think—incorrectly—that teaching their children that the world is a bad place is likely best for them. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 17(2), 182–197. https...

Do you suffer from the disease to please? Do you find yourself saying yes, when what you mean is no? In this episode Miranda outlines some easy-to-understand characteristics of People Pleasing, and helps with a few tips to avoid doing too much at your own expense. Find full show notes at livefreecreative.co/podcast Follow Miranda on Instagram @livefreemiranda Get one-on-one coaching with Miranda a...

Do you ever exercise because you think it will feel good later? In this episode, I share a snippet of some research that has me rethinking my health behaviors and motivations. Resources: Van Cappellen, P., Rice, E. L., Catalino, L. I., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2017). Positive affective processes underlie positive health behaviour change. Psychology & Health, 33(1), 77–97. https://doi.org/10.1080/0887...