This week’s podcast explores resilience through the lens of positive psychology. It emphasizes strengthening inner good rather than solely fixing the "bad" and highlights optimism and gratitude as key components of resilience, providing practical advice like reframing negative thoughts and creating contingency plans. I outline eight areas to cultivate resilience, including self-awareness, self-regulation, connection, and leveraging personal strengths. I talk about how building resilience involves paying attention to our inner states, regulating emotions, and connecting with others and our communities. I also provide actionable insights for listeners to foster resilience in their daily lives.

Loved this episode? You can find extra goodies, gentle tools, and printable doses of wonder over in my Ko-fi shop. You can also buy me a coffee to help support me. Every purchase supports this quiet corner of the internet and helps keep the podcast going. Thank you for being here. 💛

References

8 ways to become more resilient by Caitlin McColl

On this week’s podcast I talk about grief following the deaths of several family members and explore my journey through loss, highlighting the emotional impact and my subsequent adoption of yoga and meditation as coping mechanisms. I also talk about the concept of post-traumatic growth, emphasizing transformation through grief.

References

How Grief Changes You a journey of Post-Traumatic Growth https://medium.com/growing-grief/how-grief-changes-you-68a894d9d52e

Music by: https://pixabay.com/users/audiorezout-14761081/

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But if what you've read or heard resonated with you, maybe you'll consider supporting me for less than the price of a fancy coffee - just $3! - by clicking below or the ‘Support Me’ link at the top of my publication (doseofwonder.ca). Thank you for your support. With gratitude.

In this week’s podcast, I talk about 18 self help/self improvement books I read between December 2020 and March 2022 around, well, all the things I talk about in this podcast! Mental health, grief and loss, self improvement, mindfulness/meditation, and also psychology and neuroscience.

I’d love to know what books you’d recommend to me on these topics! Please let me know in the comments or via email at [email protected].

In this week’s podcast I explore the superstition of jinxing and the rituals used to counteract it like knocking on wood, reduce anxiety about negative outcomes by creating a sense of pushing away bad luck. I also talk about the impact of jinx beliefs on self-expectations and performance along with strategies to manage this.

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References:

https://www.ch-aj.com/life/mystics-and-magic-in-life/424-why-we-believe-in-jinxing-and-how-we-try-to-reverse-it

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131001131334.htm

https://archup.net/the-science-and-practical-implications-of-the-concept-of-jinx-on-performance/

https://healthland.time.com/2013/10/08/need-to-undo-a-jinx-knock-on-wood/

https://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/9865/20131001/science-bad-luck-knocking-wood-undo-jinx.htm

https://medium.com/dose-of-wonder/do-you-believe-in-jinxing-f4f3cf2fbf77

Music by: https://pixabay.com/fr/users/audiorezout-14761081/

In this week’s podcast I discuss the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its lingering effects on mental health and social interactions. I talk about the anxieties surrounding close contact, mask-wearing, and sanitization, questioning whether a return to "normal" is possible or even desirable. I also talk about advice for building resilience using strategies from Psychology Today, emphasizing embracing change, positive thinking, and self-care. I highlight the pandemic's exacerbation of existing mental health issues and the importance of strong personal connections. And I leave listeners with considering their preparedness for navigating a post-pandemic world.

Interested in more? check out my Substack at caitlinmccoll.substack.com

References:

How Can We Live in a Post Pandemic World? Tips to improve your mental health by Caitlin McColl

9 Ways to Strengthen Your Resilience - Psychology Today

Podcast music by: http://pixabay.com/users/audiorezout-14761081/

In this week’s podcast I explore the philosophy of Amor Fati or loving one’s fate, drawing on Nietzsche and Stoicism. The concept involves accepting both positive and negative life experiences and finding meaning and growth in all events. I argue that while we can’t control everything, we can control our reactions which fosters self acceptance and resilience. I end with urging listeners to embrace their lives fully.

Interested in more? check out my Substack at caitlinmccoll.substack.com

References:

Is It Possible To Love Ones Fate? And should we? By Caitlin McColl

Podcast music by: https://pixabay.com/fr/users/audiorezout-14761081/.

In this week’s podcast I explore the positive aspects that emerged from the challenging Pandemic years of 2020 til about 2023. Despite the hardships caused by the pandemic and other global issues, I identify silver linings: appreciating our homes, the unexpected benefits of mask-wearing, the importance of human connection, nature's solace, and the value of online interactions, and I encourage listeners to seek out their own positives amidst adversity.

Interested in more? Check out my Substack at caitlinmccoll.substack.com

References:

Silver Linings To The Years We Would All Rather Forget by Caitlin McColl

Podcast music by: https://pixabay.com/fr/users/audiorezout-14761081/

In this week’s podcast I question the pervasive "self-improvement" culture, arguing that constant striving for progress isn't always healthy or necessary. I was inspired by a statement by one of the fitness instructor's on my Peloton app about progress and I contrast it with the idea of contentment and acceptance of one's current state. This podcast prompts listeners to consider the pressures of this culture and whether constant self-improvement is truly beneficial, and includes recommendations that further explore related themes such as productivity, goal setting, and the impact of technology.

References:

We’re All On The Path To Progress - or are we? by Caitlin McColl https://medium.com/dose-of-wonder/were-all-on-the-path-to-progress-or-are-we-120054e002c1

Podcast music by: https://pixabay.com/users/audiorezout-14761081/

In this week’s podcast I reflect on the pandemic's impact on my life and mental health. I discuss both positive changes, such as increased gratitude, and negative ones, including weight gain and grief from the loss of loved ones. I emphasize the pervasive stress and uncertainty caused by the pandemic and its effect on mental well-being and share personal experiences and encourages listeners to acknowledge the pandemic's significant impact. The podcast concludes with a call to prioritize self-care and mental health.

Loved this episode? You can find extra goodies, gentle tools, and printable doses of wonder over in my Ko-fi shop. You can also buy me a coffee to help support me. Every purchase supports this quiet corner of the internet and helps keep the podcast going. Thank you for being here. 💛

References:

How The Pandemic Has Changed Us by Caitlin McColl

This week’s podcast explores the Buddhist concept of impermanence, based on my Medium article on the subject. I talk about how understanding its implications—that everything is temporary—can alleviate the fear of death and encourage a fuller appreciation for life.

I also talk about things like the similar concept of Wabi-Sabi, a Japanese aesthetic emphasizing the beauty of imperfection and impermanence, and discuss how acknowledging impermanence, as exemplified by quotes from Marcus Aurelius and Frank Ostaseski's book The Five Invitations, promotes acceptance and a more meaningful existence. I also talk about how the importance of remembering both mortality (memento mori) and of living fully (memento vivere) is key to a fulfilling life.

Loved this episode? You can find extra goodies, gentle tools, and printable doses of wonder over in my Ko-fi shop. You can also buy me a coffee to help support me. Every purchase supports this quiet corner of the internet and helps keep the podcast going. Thank you for being here. 💛

References:

How this Buddhist Phrase Can Help Us Live Our Best Lives by me, Caitlin McColl