There is no mistaking that the current COVID-19 pandemic touches us all. There are new or heightened worries about one’s health, loved ones, and stability. Some are experiencing loss and grief. Also, there are missed experiences and a general stir craziness many individuals and families feel. I’ve heard friends describe it as feeling like theContinue reading “Unconditional Self-Friendship During a Pandemic: 4 Tips to Being with Yourself”
Author Archives: Lydia Minear, M.A., Counselor
Breathe
With your feet flat on the floor, back straight, and in a comfortable sitting position, take 10 deep breaths. Breathe in through your nose and slowly exhale through your mouth. Relax your shoulders as you do this. Close your eyes if you’d like. Notice what it feels like to take each breath, letting your lungsContinue reading “Breathe”
Three Keys to Listening Well
Listening is loving. It is food for the soul and nourishment for relationships. Being heard and understood deeply has a powerful effect, enabling us to feel safe, cared for, loved, and empowered. However, listening well can be difficult. This is becoming even more of a challenge in today’s society where a million distractions lay atContinue reading “Three Keys to Listening Well”
Loving Your Resilient Mind: On Suffering & Endurance
“Life is not what it’s supposed to be. It’s what it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.” – Virginia Satir Resilience: the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress —the American Psychological Association’s definition After the loss of myContinue reading “Loving Your Resilient Mind: On Suffering & Endurance”
Making Space for Grief
“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.” – Washington Irving Everyone will know seasons of loss and grief. Some of these endings we canContinue reading “Making Space for Grief”
On Feeling Stuck & How Therapy Helps
In my time meeting with new clients, I often hear some variation of this shared: “I don’t know…I just feel stuck.” This experience of feeling stuck leads many people to consider and potentially try therapy. I have a hunch that at some point most people find themselves in such a place… But what does itContinue reading “On Feeling Stuck & How Therapy Helps”
“The Stories We Tell Ourselves”: Thoughts on Brené Brown’s ‘Rising Strong’
Today I share my thoughts on Brené Brown’s newest book Rising Strong. The book is a continuation of her first two, The Gifts of Imperfection & Daring Greatly (which I have reviewed here). In it she continues sharing her findings of years of research on the topics of living wholeheartedly – or from a placeContinue reading ““The Stories We Tell Ourselves”: Thoughts on Brené Brown’s ‘Rising Strong’”
Cultivating Presence & Love: What Dogs Teach Us About “Being”
Eight months ago my husband & I got a dog (Winston, pictured left), and amidst the process of potty training and curbing his desire for chewing corners of furniture, we found ourselves with a new best friend. Further, in my little journey of puppy parenting, there are these small moments – flashes of insight – in whichContinue reading “Cultivating Presence & Love: What Dogs Teach Us About “Being””
Journaling: Writing What You Feel & Three Tips in Starting
“Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain.” – Carl Jung I love to write. With time alone and a blank piece of paper, I find that journaling gives me the space and freedom to do what for me is most necessary: give name to what I feel. IContinue reading “Journaling: Writing What You Feel & Three Tips in Starting”
Individuation: The Healing Power of Discovering Your Unique Voice
“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth.” – Abraham Maslow Individuation can be defined as the continual process of developing one’s unique voice. It involves differentiating yourself from others – of “knowing thyself” as a separate individual. It includes embracing and celebrating your authentic self. This is a simple definition;Continue reading “Individuation: The Healing Power of Discovering Your Unique Voice”
Lydia Minear LPC 