This Christmas I've tried to be kinder to myself as I navigate the silliest of seasons. Today I share some of the ways I'm trying to see the holidays differently in order to have a Christmas that's got a little more joy, hope and peace. And if you listen to the end, I've included a Christmas gift for you to enjoy. Merry Christmas!

Tis the silly season! And to celebrate I've worked to bring you 10 pieces of rock solid advice ranging from how to butter your toast, to the life changing magic of whipping out a secret toothbrush at the kitchen sink. Enjoy the silly business on today's episode.

Self care is a big topic in today's society and it's an important one. But are we glamourising the simple act of looking after ourselves? Are we creating 'instagrammable' moments that leave us still feeling uncared for after the fact? It's possible that self care isn't as pretty as it sounds and I want to have an old fashioned rant about that exact thing today.

Brianna Wiest's article about self care

https://thoughtcatalog.com/brianna-wiest/2017/11/this-is-what-self-care-really-means-because-its-not-all-salt-baths-and-chocolate-cake/

Anxiety is a normal part of life. Anxious feelings have even saved our lives since the beginnings of the human race as we know it. In fact, it's quite the super power when you look into why we experience it and how it works. Join me as I look a little deeper at this oftentimes intense and problematic experience.

A brief overview of the limbic system

https://qbi.uq.edu.au/brain/brain-anatomy/limbic-system

2-minute neuroscience on the limbic system

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNs9ruzoTmI

Lisa Feldman Barrett's TED talk

https://www.ted.com/talks/lisa_feldman_barrett_you_aren_t_at_the_mercy_of_your_emotions_your_brain_creates_them?language=en

Books:

The brain that changes itself by Norman Doidge

https://www.bookdepository.com/Brain-That-Changes-Itself-Norman-Doidge/9780141038872

The man who mistook his wife for a hat by Oliver Sacks

https://www.bookdepository.com/Man-Who-Mistook-His-Wife-for-Hat-Oliver-Sacks/9780330523622?ref=grid-view&qid=1575184150128&sr=1-1

When life changes - whether it's our choice or not - we sometimes lose the things we love. For me, I've had to accept that some of my creative pursuits and projects have come to an end. And even if that is a "goodbye forever" or a "see you later", it's hard to let go.

But letting go is part of life isn't it?

Therapy can be seen as scary, unnecessary or just plain weird. It can also be all those things just because it’s the unknown. Today, I open up about my experience beginning therapy and share insights to help you start therapy or get more out of it.

Ever bought a gym membership you’ve never used? A fancy pair of shoes that gather dust?

We often indulge a fantasy version of ourselves - whether it’s who we wish we were or who we’re just curious about being.

Seems odd to invest in something that doesn’t really exist. But maybe our ‘fantasy self’ is worth the expense. Maybe we could learn a thing or two about our true self by looking a little deeper into the mirage.

Episode links

Allison Anderson

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jjM2hg1LS0o

Slow Home podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-slow-home-podcast-with-brooke-mcalary/id985005895

Buddhism for Mothers by Sarah Napthali

https://www.bookdepository.com/Buddhism-for-Mothers-Sarah-Napthali/9781742377018?ref=grid-view&qid=1573356429177&sr=1-1

The Lifechanging Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

https://www.bookdepository.com/Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Up-Marie-Kondo/9781607747307?ref=grid-view&qid=1573356486468&sr=1-1

Eloise Rickman’s blog

https://fridabemighty.com

Amanda Watters’ blog

https://homesongblog.com

By now we’re familiar with the taboo, stigma and social issues around breastfeeding. What I couldn’t predict was how breastfeeding my own kids introduced me to an unexpected taboo that still effects me today. Join me as I gingerly tiptoe through this very delicate topic.

After a bit of a crisis of confidence I’m back this week to chat about showing up even when it’s a mental mountain.

Today's links:

Ingrid Nilsen's podcast One Step https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1472227185

Ingrid's Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/Missglamorazzi

A new mantra is changing the way I think about progress and accomplishment. It’s another way I’m trying to be kinder to myself. Listen as I share the effect that fresh perspective is having in my life.

Poeple mentioned:

https://konmari.com

http://www.flylady.net