Real Connections

If you are a mom, you can definitely relate to falling prey to the comparison trap. It happens to us all for one reason or another. It can be so easy in this social media age to compare our weight, looks, nutrition, children, achievements, interior design skills, party planning abilities, husbands and the list goes on and on.

I get it because I've been there and I will tell you that it is a constant battle.

Today on the show, Jamie and I chat about our struggles with comparison in our own ways and what we have learned what works for us to combat it.

Here are some of the tips we talked about to help you combat comparison every day.

get clear on who you are and what your purpose isreframe your response to comparison by either celebrating or developingrinse and repeat - it's a journeywrite down things you love about yourself (20 to start and work up to 100)genuinely compliment others on their gifts and talentsdo a social media fast and then follow hashtags that remind you not to compare #comparisonisthetheifofjoy & #nocomparisonreach out to people on social media and attending events in real life to meet real peoplelisten to music and write down lyrics that resonate with you that may help you find your purpose

I got to share one of my secret family recipes today on the show - cookie salad. Yes, it's a thing.

If you want to get the recipe and the other secret family recipes of the guests I have on the show, be sure to click the link below so I can send them monthly, right to your inbox.

https://mailchi.mp/b481a3a31e08/secretfamilyrecipes2

You can learn more about my guest, Jamie at https://www.jamiegjohnson.com/ or on Instagram @journeytowonderful

Doing a family service project is something that can sound really tricky but it doesn’t have to be, and the benefits can be huge.  Today, my guest Tawni Beardall, shares all about a service project she and her family did with 3 other families last year and how it has changed her and her children.  Her kids loved it so much, they are doing it again next year.  

Listen to the podcast to hear her 3 simple steps for coming up with you own holiday family service project.

Things to Remember When Doing Your Own Family Service Project

remember to take photosif possible, involve other familiesprovide a service people would already be paying for or already need during this time of year

Examples of Service Projects You Could do

rake leavesmake fresh wreathsmake sugar cookie kitsmake gingerbread kitsdeliver and/or haul away real Christmas tree

Examples of People in Need During the Holidays

homeless in your own communityrefugeeselderlyfamilies who are struggling financially

Resources

Carleen Tanner “Positive Parenting” youtube channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCshIopgVSrtm-ots1xiwxgw

Becoming for Teens podcast 

https://becomingforteens.podbean.com/

Becoming for Teens podcast Episode 16 “Doin’ Work”

https://becomingforteens.podbean.com/e/16-doin-work/

Today my dear friend, Catrina Gandara, shares 5 simple ideas on how to celebrate the Day of the Dead. She shares everything from watching Coco to discussing family ancestors at dinner. If you love celebrating and you love connecting, the Day of the Dead is the perfect way to do both.

In this episode I share how I will be taking the podcast in a different direction for this season. This season I want to share with you simple ideas on how to make connections that matter. Whether it is with your spouse, kids, self or others, connection is well worth the effort and something we are lacking in our society. If you are a mom who wants more depth and meaning in your relationships - this is the season and podcast for you. I will be interviewing experts as well as other moms on all things connection to give you tangible ideas and strategies to feel and be better connected to the people who matter most.

I'm so thankful for all of the support and love I've had this season. It's time to take a break and I can't wait for season 2!

I talk about what was helpful after my dad's death and specific people who reached out to our family. I share how this experience has directed my life and the traditions I now have with my family. I also discuss the letters I found from my dad only a few years ago that are now some of my most prized possessions.

I've made it to a year of having this podcast! Because of that, I want to share an encore episode with you! It is a huge part of why I started the podast and it is actually my story. My dad died in a plane crash when I was 9 years old. In this episode, I talk about the day my dad died and what that was like for me as a child.

Dani's husband, Denny died only 4 short months ago and she has made it her mission to talk about it because she wants to stop the stigma surrounding suicide. About a month ago, Dani posted a video that went viral showing some of the real trauma her family experiences on a daily basis as a result of him being gone and the people it has helped it truly is inspiring. In today's episode she her story and what each of us can do to help those in our influence who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Audra explains her eating disorder which is Body Dysmorphic Disorder and how she manages it. She talks about her victory of gaining weight for the first time in years and gives advice on the big and small things you can do if you struggle with body image yourself. She shares how her marriage works not with her choice to become active in her faith again even though her husband is not. Audra offers so much hope for those who find themselves in similar circumstances. She also shares advice to those who are questioning their own beliefs. Audra talks about how she views her life and relationships differently as a result of all she has experienced.

Audra talks about growing up in a traditional Christian family. She shares how she met and fell in love with her husband and his decision to leave his faith shortly after. She talks about how that effected her and how she stopped attending church as well. Audra shares how their marriage began to really struggle and how she experienced several miscarriages. As a result she began to hate her body and talks about how she started developing an eating disorder. At one point she weighed only 95 lbs. Audra talks about what prompted her to look at her body differently and her journey back to faith.