In this episode, I want to dive deeper into what it's like to wake up one day with a traumatic brain injury and navigate this new reality. Life as I knew it was completely turned upside down in an instant, not just once, but twice. And now, I'm in the process of rebuilding my life again. 

I do a lot of work in the brain injury community, and sharing my story has been helpful to others. But I also want to reach more people through this podcast and share my wisdom to help anyone going through a life-changing diagnosis or illness, whether it's an invisible disability, chronic illness, or mental health issues. So grab a drink, pull up a chair, and join me in my virtual living room as we talk about life as a high achiever with a traumatic brain injury. 

In 2013, I was hit by a bus and suffered a traumatic brain injury. I don't remember much from that time, but I do remember the moment when I realized I could think again after my emergency craniectomy. My life completely changed, and I had to rebuild everything from scratch. Mindfulness became a crucial tool for me, even before I knew what mindfulness was. It helped me focus on the present moment and take things one step at a time. I couldn't make any long-term plans or decisions, so I learned to focus on the here and now.

Over the past ten years, I've had to rebuild my life multiple times due to subsequent injuries and surgeries. It hasn't been easy, but mindfulness has been my saving grace. It's about accepting the reality of the present moment with kindness, curiosity, and non-judgment. It helped me navigate the uncertainty and challenges I faced. 

I want to emphasize that this episode is not about seeking pity or sympathy. I don't want you to feel sorry for me. I'm sharing my story to shed light on the struggles many people with chronic illnesses and invisible disabilities face. It's important to recognize that everyone's journey is unique, and acceptance plays a significant role in finding peace amidst the chaos.

Acceptance doesn't mean liking or being happy about the situation. It's about acknowledging the reality and working with it. It's a constant practice, and it's not always easy. But through mindfulness, I've learned to accept and fight for myself. I'm constantly working with my treatment team to find ways to improve my health and rebuild my life. It's a slow process, but I'm committed to doing the best I can with the resources I have.

I want to remind you that life is unpredictable for all of us. None of us know what the future holds. We can't control everything, but we can learn to accept and adapt to the challenges that come our way. Mindfulness can help us find peace and resilience in the face of uncertainty.

I hope this episode has given you some insight into my journey and the power of mindfulness in navigating life's challenges. Next week, we'll delve deeper into the concept of acceptance and explore how to practice it in our daily lives. Remember, you're not alone in your struggles, and there is always hope for a brighter future. Take care and be well. Bye for now!

Catastrophizing, when our anxiety takes over and makes everything out to be the end of the world. In this podcast episode I'm digging into the vault of embarrassment and telling you all about the time I thought I had been ghosted on a date. Click play to hear all about what happened in my head, what really happened and how this experience is connected to anxiety.

In this episode I share some of the common signs to help you recognize when you are starting to catastrophize and what you can do to stop it such as talk therapy and mindfulness practices.

If you'd like to learn more about mindfulness and try a guided meditation, I invite you to download my welcome mat meditation. Give it a try and let me know how it goes. I'd love to hear from you.

And if you found this episode helpful, please consider leaving a review and subscribing to my podcast. New episodes are released every Monday morning. Thank you for tuning in and take care of yourself.

Do you ever find yourself getting 85% of the way through a task, only to suddenly feel overwhelmed and unable to finish it? Or maybe you constantly struggle to choose which task to start with because they all seem equally important? It's like there's a never-ending to-do list hanging over your head, and you just can't seem to find the motivation to tackle it.

Believe me, I've been there too. As someone who has worked in the mental health field for years and has also experienced chronic illness, I understand the challenges that come with feeling overwhelmed and unable to get started on important tasks. The story we attach to these tasks, along with the strong emotions they evoke, can keep us stuck in a cycle of procrastination.

But here's the thing: procrastination is not a sign of laziness. It's an emotional management problem. When we procrastinate, we're not avoiding effort; we're avoiding the unpleasant feelings that the task stirs up. It's our way of protecting ourselves from discomfort.

So, how can we break free from this cycle of procrastination and anxiety? Inside this episode, I'm sharing some of the strategies that I personally use and that I've shared with my clients over the years that you can start implementing right away.

The book I reference in this episode is: The Procrastination Equation by Dr. Steel.

Grab a cup of tea, find a cozy spot, and join me in my virtual living room. Today, I want to talk to you about something that every entrepreneur with a chronic illness can relate to: stress. We all know that stress is a part of life, but managing it effectively is crucial for our well-being and success.

Stress, in moderation, can actually be beneficial. It can motivate us to accomplish tasks, achieve goals, and produce our best work. However, too much stress can lead to burnout and negatively impact our physical and mental health. So, how do we find that sweet spot of just enough stress?

Mindfulness can be a powerful tool in managing stress. By practicing mindfulness, we can learn to be present in the moment, notice our thoughts and emotions, and choose how we respond to stressful situations. It's about finding that window of choice and taking control of our reactions.

A great first step is learning how stress shows up in your body. With my guided body scan mediation, you can start to learn where tension shows up and start to release it breath by breath. You can download a copy of this meditation here.

Take a moment each day to focus on one task, one breath, or one moment of self-care. Notice how it feels to be fully present and give yourself permission to let go of unnecessary stress and expectations.

Hey there! Today, I want to dive a little deeper into the topic of anxiety. Don't worry, I won't get too technical. But it's important to understand that worry, fear, and anxiety actually serve an evolutionary purpose. Back in the day, when our ancestors were constantly in danger of being eaten by lions, anxiety helped them anticipate problems and plan accordingly. It literally saved their lives. 

Fast forward to today, and we're not as likely to be eaten by lions (thank goodness!). But our fight or flight response, which is the same system that helped our ancestors, still kicks in when we perceive a threat. The problem is, sometimes this response gets triggered even when there is no real danger. That's where learning how to work with and heal our anxiety becomes important.

I used to think I was just shy, but then I experienced a traumatic event that triggered intense anxiety. It made me realize that I had been anxious all along, worrying about what others thought of me and constantly fearing judgment. There were many factors contributing to my anxiety, both external and internal, but the point is, I was anxious a lot.

Anxiety can be useful in certain situations, but it can also spiral out of control. Minor or nonexistent threats can produce overwhelming concerns. We can have a panic attack over something as simple as being stuck in traffic. But with mindfulness, we can learn to recognize when our minds are mistaking mice for lions. We can regulate our nervous system, anchor ourselves in the present moment, and reframe our thoughts to defang our worries and fears.

I know it's not always easy. It takes practice and patience. But the more we cultivate mindfulness, the more we can find ease in our day-to-day lives. We can learn to respond rather than react, and make choices from a place of wisdom and calm.

So, as we wrap up this week, I invite you to take some time to notice your state of mind. Are you caught up in worry and anxiety? Are you mistaking mice for lions? Take a few mindful breaths and choose how you want to respond. And remember, you can always reach out to me on Instagram at @themindfulnessjourney with any questions or topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes.

Take care, be well, and have a peaceful week ahead.

Kicking off this podcast on a lighter note… by sharing all about the time that I was hit by a bus. I vulnerably share about some of the darkest times in my life, in hopes you can relate and thus feel like you’re not alone and are welcome here. 

As difficult and traumatic as this experience (and the ones to follow) were, it also put me on the path to healing my lifelong anxiety. Through it all, I discovered the power of mindfulness in navigating life's difficulties. That's why I created this podcast series - to share the transformative practices that have helped me find calm amidst chaos.

In each episode of Calm Amidst the Chaos, we'll explore different aspects of anxiety and how mindfulness can be used as an effective tool for managing it. We'll delve into topics like equanimity - finding mental calmness even in difficult situations; recognizing the two arrows - embracing life's challenges while letting go of unnecessary thoughts; and practicing the welcome mat meditation - learning how to accept our emotions without judgment or resistance.

Mindfulness isn't just about sitting still or emptying your mind; it's about being present in each moment no matter what arises. It allows us to respond rather than react impulsively when faced with stressors or triggers.

The first episode will focus on understanding anxiety itself - its causes and effects on our daily lives. We'll discuss why we get anxious and how mindfulness can help us navigate those moments of heightened anxiety. I'll also introduce you to the welcome mat practice, a powerful meditation technique that allows us to embrace our emotions without getting lost in them.

I invite you to join me on this journey towards healing anxiety through mindfulness. You can download the welcome mat practice guide by clicking [here]. It's a great starting point for incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine.

Imagine feeling more at ease in your mind and body. What if you could heal your anxiety and find peace? It might sound impossible, but trust me, it's not. I've been there too. Hi! I'm Charlene, a former shy person turned psychotherapist and mindfulness meditation teacher.

In my podcast series, I share my personal journey of overcoming anxiety after a life-changing accident. Plus, I'll give you practical tips and strategies that have worked for me and my clients over the years. Mindfulness is backed by decades of research – it really works!

Growing up, social situations made me anxious - even ordering pizza on the phone was nerve-wracking! But through mindfulness meditation, everything changed. Now, I can confidently speak to people and do things old-me would never have imagined.

Join me on this path to healing anxiety one moment at a time. Whether it's big panic attacks or smaller anxieties like speaking in front of others or advocating for yourself – we'll navigate them together.

Episode 1 is ready to go! Grab a comfortable seat with your favorite beverage and come join me in my virtual living room as we dive into meaningful conversations about our journeys with anxiety and mindfulness.

Have questions or topics you want us to discuss? Leave me a message on Instagram @TheMindfulnessJourney - let's connect!

Take care & be well,

Charlene