In this episode, I talk about not quitting. It's the end of January and I'll bet we have mostly quit our New Year's Resolutions at this point (I've forgotten what mine were?), which a lot of the time involve exercise. You don't have to use the advice in this episode for only exercise/running, but I talk about how I have not (yet) quit running over the past almost 3 years. My trick: tricking(?) my brain into believing I LIKE running, running helps me feel better, and that I am a runner now so running is just what I do, rather than coming up with a goal to "lose weight" or even at this point "be strong" or "run a 5K"- I have no goals and now I Just run for "fun." Yep, I'm one of THOSE people now. But also, I think it's important to say that I'm not particularly "good" at running (I don't run super fast or particularly far each week for most people's standards) and I'm not trying to get better at it either. It's just- fun? And a way to de-stress. Action item: listen to decide if any of my tricks could work for you to help you not quit something (exercise or otherwise) that is important to you.

In this episode, I talk about how I realized I was burned out (rather than just feeling icky about starting a new project), and my plan for fighting burnout, using ideas from the book Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, by Emily and Amelia Nagoski. #1 go for a long walk/coffee/call a friend (checks off both exercise and positive social interaction), #2 write all my thoughts in my journal (ticks off creative expression- also this podcast!), #3 make tea and just stare out the window (helps me when I am feeling overwhelmed to just do nothing, an idea I got from Brene Brown) and #4 forgive myself for needing extra time and for not getting all the "to do's" list checked off today, and move the rest of today's to do's to Monday. Action item: Come here for ideas when you are feeling burned out and come up with a plan to fight burnout today. (Side note, I feel MUCH better after having created this podcast, so extra thanks to you all for listening!)

In this episode, I give 6 quick steps to get your project organized and out the door! I also talk about how some projects can be done/completed but others go on forever, and that is OK too (like my house project). Action item: think of a project, and come to this episode ready to listen with a pen and paper (If you want to work on organizing your project into manageable tasks) or just listen for fun and come back to it again the next time you have a project to work through.

In this episode, I talk about the different ways walking can help you (think/calm down/feel grounded when stressed or anxious, etc.) and how a walk can be short or long, slow or fast, and how it is a great way to help those who may be starting a stressful time now (finals, holidays, whatever). Action item: go for a walk!

In this episode, I define "nerding out" (using my own vast experience of being a nerd for basically my entire life), I give some examples from my own life (and an awesome example from my mom), and talk about why "nerding out" is good for your mental health. Hint: it has to do with connection!

In this episode, I talk about the definition of success that I grew up with, which focused on money, power and stuff, I talk about how I think the definition of success (at least for some people) is changing, ever so slowly, and what my own definition of success is for me (having meaning in my life, love and kindness). Action item: make a list of a couple of things that define success for you and put them on a post-it note on your laptop (or notebook, or wherever) to refer back to!

This week, I talk about how to get back on track when you get derailed from your plans/schedule. 4 quick tips 1) Accept your situation 2) Make changes/drop things/figure out what you NEED to do now and what can wait until later 3) Enjoy as much as you can what you DO have rather than wishing for what cannot be and 4) promise yourself you will get back on track next week! Action item: Next time you get derailed, instead of panicking, come back here for Steps 1-4! I also mention James Clear's book, Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, and Raya and the Last Dragon, which is an awesome movie that I recommend even for adults :)

In this episode, I talk about 6 ways to tackle the holidays this year so that they are less stressful and MAYBE more fun?: 1) create a brain dump of all the things you need to do 2) edit it 3) edit it again (based on, do you really need/want to do each thing or does someone else you care about really need/want you to do that thing 4) delegate what you can 5) start now! and 6) try to change what you can now to make things easier on yourself- give everyone 1 thing that is "theirs" and realize that you don't have to do all the things every year just because you did them last year/for the past 15 years. Action item: start ideas brain dump ASAP!

I know this is a tough one, but I talk about 4 things that could be happening to someone we perceive to be lazy (or to you, if others perceive you to be lazy). 1) Procrastinating perfectionists, 2) just effing tired/overworked and need a break/nap/coffee 3) dealing with mental health issues/anxiety/life issues 4) prioritizing other things. Action item: the next time you come across a "lazy" person in your life, try to think about/poke around and ask questions to see (if relevant) if that person fits any of these categories or could use some help, maybe. Or at least, give them the benefit of the doubt.

In this episode, I talk about how we are often taught (especially those of us who are women or grew up/were socialized as women) that self care is selfish and that we should put others' needs in front of our own, when really that's not true. One way to help us break out of this is to talk to ourselves like we would talk to our friends. I also discuss What is self care and 2 tests of if something is self care for you- 1) do it on purpose (not to procrastinate) and 2) see how you feel afterward.