The Story in My Head: Healing & Self-Improvement for the Lazy

Everybody loves a 'quickie'!  Here is a quickie about... well...self worth, feeling valuable, aging gracefully, appreciation, treasuring the self and things kinda like that.  Its me writing the Story in My Head about my body being my vehicle for this roller coaster we call life. My body is a unique and beautiful treasure worthy of my time, money and energy. So is yours!!!     anxiety, de...

Everybody loves a "quickie".  Today I am offering a 'quickie' about anxiety.  I'm learning there are times my anxiety is NOT due to a threat (either real or perceived), but rather due to my diet!  Too much sugar, caffeine, artificial colors and flavors and the like can lead me to the exact same feeling in my body as fear.  I have eaten my way into feeling anxious and I&apo...

When I think about Margins of Error, I think about numbers and engineering and architecture.  But when it comes to human interactions, I call margins of error 'grace'.  And I extend more grace to others than I extent to myself.  I'm working to change this and today's episode describes my current process and explores changes I can make to the Story in my Head.  Beware, I am a be...

We often get caught up in what we think matters to our spouse, our children, our parents, our boss, and the like.  When was the last time we wondered what matters to us?!? Today I am exploring what really matters to me and experimenting with being open to new things.   anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relationships, addiction

Last Christmas my father and I spoke for the last time before he passed away January 4th 2024.  That day he gifted me FORGIVENESS, and extended me permission to begin forgiving myself.  Today I am beginning a new experiment by reminding myself my past is forgiven, is not worth repeating and no longer needs space in the Story in My Head. Happy Holidays!!!  anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self...

I was afraid and could not figure out how to change the story in my head.  I was ruminating on the 'what ifs' and was struggling to change my thinking into anything other than a scary situation!  In desperation I gave myself what I wanted someone else to give me...a hug.  My fears were eased and since then I've been  giving myself all kinds of things that I'd like to receive fr...

I hear people talk about 'cultivating' peace, joy, whatever and it seems like a lot of work.  I like quick, easy and free.  Can finding more peace be quick, easy and free?  I think so.  One new experiment at a time.  Today, I am trying to grow my sense of peace like I would try to grow a Weeping Willow.   anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care...

Most if us struggle with anger, be it when we are angry or when we are around someone who is angry.  It is an uncomfortable emotion that all of us experience more often than we prefer.  And it is an emotion most of us are not taught how to handle without creating some form of harm.  If we work to accept anger for what it is and not try to translate what it means, will be get more comfortable with...

I feel like FEAR is all around me.  Real events, threats and fears that are broadcast on all media outlets 24 hours a day; as well as perceived events, threats and fears I tell myself with the Stories in My Head.  I am tired of living in fear.  I need a break!  I am going on a Fear Diet. I am asking those around me AND MYSELF to pause from talking about those things that make us feel afraid. I am...

The holiday season can be a stressful time of year for a lot of reasons.  For  Thanksgiving, I've decided to give myself a Worry Free Day.  The story in my head for Thanksgiving 2024 is "Choose to be greatful, decide to not worry and remember everything is going to be okay."  Happy Ok Day!!! anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relatio...

One of the most powerful stories in my head narrates how I see myself.  If I want to change the stories that lower my self esteem, I want to focus on the parts of myself I like.  And when I see parts of myself I don't find favorable, I can shift my focus from "that's an ugly part" to "That's a part I am willing to change"!  anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, s...

In working to re-write many of the stories in my head, I'm learning there are times re-writing them keeps my focus on the story itself. It may serve me better to shift my focus to a different story!  In changing my focus away from an old story I've been re-telling to a different story all together, I've changed the narrative completely!  Ignoring something for a while can be the bes...

When I have the opportunity to do something new; the stories in my head are quick to outline all the ways I can get hurt, embarrassed or otherwise fail.  I'm learning the stories in my head are most often wrong, and I am working to change the narrative.  Today I am giving myself permission to try something new even if I get a little embarrassed while I am learning new skills.  Scary!     anxi...

Saying "no" can be very difficult.  It is also necessary, loving and... I'm recently learning... an act of Self Care.  I'm practicing the Art of Saying No as a way to love others as well as myself.   anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relationships, addiction

Sometimes LIFE shoots holes in our plans, our goals and our dreams. It takes a lot of energy to change directions!!!  I'm learning to keep an 'energy reserve' for difficult times versus living in my reserves and feeling empty.  anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relationships, addiction

Many days after Hurricane Helene, I wander around Asheville NC and see the vast resources that have been donated to my area.  There are no words to express the gratitude felt by all of us receiving your blessings!!!  I know many of us have gone from Surviver's Guilt, through feeling guilty taking donations, to experiencing guilty pleasures in moments of 'normalcy'.  I find the stori...

On approximately day 10 of the affects of Hurricane Helene in Asheville; I along with everyone and everything else am covered in dirt, germs and grit. In this episode recorded with background noises and a shotty connection, I describe the grit of my surroundings and realize the GRIT of the HUMAN SPIRIT is what is most prevalent and powerful!  anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, chan...

This week there are no stories in my head.  I can't complete a single thought right now. I am on day 7 of the aftermath on Hurricane Helene in Asheville, NC.  All major systems in my home town are broken, and the systems within myself are severly damaged. I feel giddy, grateful and guilty all at the same time.    anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self c...

I live in Western NC and 5 days ago experienced Hurricane Helene.  Im practicing Gratitude and this week I have found it to be a skill to be practiced, as well as a form of self care!  This episode is dedicated to my dad, Bob "Snoop BobbyBob" Pearson.    anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relationships, addiction

The story in my head has fueled fear, depression, and resentment.  Now I'm investigating what happens when I share the story in my head with someone I've hurt as an intro to making amends and a beginning to healing.  anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relationships, addiction

Intimacy is tricky business. Especially when it becomes clear people define intimacy in a lot of different ways. I wonder if we have an Intimacy Language?  My mission to learn more about intimacy led me to discover an experiment about contentment.  Strange I know but sometimes the stories in my head begin in one place and end in a very different space all together! anxiety, depression, trauma, hea...

Many times I have been accused of "over-reacting" when I thought I was just "reacting" to the situation in front of me. In actuality, I react to the situation I THINK is in front of me, as seen through the eyes of all of my past experiences AND limited by lack of experience.  I'm learning to slow down, gather information, sort through my feelings and RESPOND for a change. ...

Most of the stories that I carry with me into adulthood began in my childhood.  I'm looking honestly at the roots of my stories and I'm realizing the original story-teller may not be telling "truth".  I'm working to re-write My Story... to write My Truth.  This is part of my process... anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, rel...

I've been told I have 'trust issues' and 'to just have faith'. That's tricky when I had lost all faith in myself, in people and in a Higher Power. Now, I'm working to change the way I see my past so I can practice trusting ME and having faith again.   anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relationships, addiction

I tell stories even in my sleep, and at times my dreams lead me to new questions and new discoveries. Or at least a new experiment! This time I'm working to re-write my "to-do" list.  anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relationships, addiction