 Welcome to a new month! It is time to get excited for everything that we will experience this month. At the start of every month I enjoy thinking about all the amazing things that will happen, the people I will interact with and the amazing milestones that I get to celebrate.
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3 , part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8 and part 9 of the transition preparation guide. #1: Think positively and be happy Watching the news and observing things happening around us can easily make us worried and have negative thoughts. Choosing to be happy and positive is one of the very important ways to survive these uncertain times. To maintain your joy, you might also need to cut off people and things that fill you with anxiety and worry. We are responsible for our own happiness and positive state of mind. Being happy makes life more enjoyable. Strategies to consider
#2: Enjoy human interactions Meeting up with family and friends physically might not be possible at the moment depending on where you are. The distance and changes in our social connections definitely affects a lot of us. It takes more effort these days to seek out and enjoy human interactions. This past weekend we had a virtual dinner with friends, something I would never have thought about doing before. Laughing and sharing stories with people you like is always incredibly special. Strategies to consider
#3: Don't compare yourself to others One lesson that would change your life is realizing that we are all on vastly different life journeys. Comparing yourself to others will keep you in a constant state of dissatisfaction. When we look at others’ lives, we tend to see the things we are missing in our lives and then we think they are better than us. Personally, I have learned to appreciate where I am in life and keep working on being better on my journey irrespective of what others around me are doing. Strategies to consider
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned: One thing that has kept me going over the past months is, finding joy in the small good things that I experience. I have been very intentional about enjoying the simple things that make me happy. At the end of each day, I think about the things that happened over the day that I am grateful for. Sometimes my list includes going grocery shopping, talking to my family, getting my work done or eating a great meal. This helps me acknowledge that life is good even with everything happening in the world around me. Call to Action How are you going to celebrate the small wins in your life? Find joy in the little things.
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 If you are feeling tired and wondering where the energy for the rest of the year will come from, you are not alone. Over the past weeks, I have been observing people around me and noticing the fatigue in their eyes. This year has demanded a lot from us all.
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3 , part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7 and part 8 of the transition preparation guide. #1: Be kind and patient with yourself With the type of year that we have all had so far, it is important to cut ourselves some slack. We are under a lot of stress and facing new situations that we had no chance to plan or prepare for. How you treat yourself during this time is very important. You may not be meeting all the expectations that you have for yourself and that is ok. Be patient with yourself and acknowledge that you are doing your best with the current situation. Strategies to consider
#2: Set priorities and boundaries There are many things that place demands on your time and attention. To conserve your energy for the most important things in your life, it is essential to set priorities. When you know your priorities, you will be able to dedicate time and energy to them. Ensuring that people around you know your boundaries will make you feel like you are more in control. Setting priorities and boundaries are an effective way to take care of yourself. Strategies to consider
#3: Believe in yourself To thrive over the next months, you will need to be confident in your ability to succeed. You have what is takes to survive and thrive. When you start doubting yourself, remember all the times you were faced with difficult situations and were able to come out on top. What keeps me going is knowing that we will look back on this year and be proud of what we were able to accomplish. Strategies to consider
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned: As a community, we are responsible for caring for one another. With everything going on, we need to look out for each other. I am incredibly grateful to all the people who have been checking on me and have made it a priority to check on other people. Call to Action How have you shown your strength in the past months? Celebrate your inner strength  Time is going by very quickly. I feel like July just started and we are already in the final weeks of the month. There are many new lessons that we have been learning through these uncertain times. I am excited to see what the next months bring.
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3 , part 4, part 5, part 6 and part 7 of the transition preparation guide. #1: Build and connect with your support network One of the recurring themes in my recent blog posts has been the people in our lives. Over the past months I have been reminded of the fact that having people we can confide in is very important. Going through life alone is hard. There are so many benefits of having a support group with people who can be companions on your journey. Talking to others, sharing experiences and learning from them will help broaden your perspective. Strategies to consider
#2: Admit when you are struggling Many of us have been trained to put up a strong front and act like everything is ok all the time. It is ok to not feel good or struggle with managing everything in your life. Giving yourself permission to admit when you are struggling is essential. When people around you know what is going on, they are able to help you. I have had to learn to ask people in my personal and professional life for support when I need it. Also knowing that I am not the only one feeling helpless at times, helps me. Strategies to consider
#3: Be aware of your needs and take care of yourself Helping others be comfortable and happy is something most of us are good at. Imagine if we paid ourselves as much attention as we did to others. Thinking about what we need is not something we do very often. To be healthy in our mind and body, we need to feel like our needs are being met. When we know what we need and find ways to meet our needs, we will be healthier and happier. Strategies to consider
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned: This past week, I felt a deep feeling of gratitude. With everything going on, I needed to remind myself of the good that is happening in my life. Sometimes it is hard to see the good in the midst of all the scary things happening in the world. I have been reminding myself daily of how blessed I am. Call to Action How will you love yourself this week? Show yourself some love.  For most of us summer is officially here. Seeing the sun makes everything feel different. Although, many people have had to adjust their typical summer plans, there is hope and optimism in the air.
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3 , part 4, part 5 and part 6 of the transition preparation guide #1: Get organized and get rid of things you do not need With everything that has happened over the past four months, things seemed to have piled up and have been taken care of. Now is a great time to bring some order back into our lives. Start with one of the tasks that you have being putting off for a while. It could be sorting out your clothes, clearing the kitchen, decluttering your storage, organizing your paperwork, or reviewing your plan. There is a magical feeling of being in control of your life when you get organized. Strategies to consider
#2: Find ways to simplify your life One of the things that have become very evident over the past months is that we are juggling a lot of things. Although the pace has slowed down a bit, it still feels like we are having to do so many things at once. There are some great tools that can help simplify our lives. A few major changes that I have made is to do most of my shopping online to reduce the need to go into a store and getting some take-out food on days where I need a break. This might sound quite simple, but it took me a while to think about these things as worth doing to improve the quality of my life. I now have some more time to get some rest. Strategies to consider
#3: Do something special with someone you love Over the past months, we have been reminded of the importance of having amazing people in our lives. Take advantage of the amazing relationships you have and enjoy bonding with people you love. We might have to be creative as we think about how we can connect deeply with our people. Please remember that being safe is a priority. Some ideas could be having a great meal with your partner, organizing a fun virtual event with good friends, watching a movie, or playing games together. Strategies to consider
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned: The human connections that we have are very important. When I look back at the past months, the people in my life have helped me survive and thrive. I have had many amazing conversations, connected with people deeply, shared my feelings and laughed a lot. I feel closer to my people and appreciate them even more every single day. Call to Action What are you not going to do this week to give yourself some time to relax and have fun?  As we navigate the new and unknown, it is crucial to equip ourselves with resources and support mechanisms. We are all learning and growing as we get introduced to our new lives.
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3 , part 4 and part 5 of the transition preparation guide. #1: Get a routine or get back into your routine With the recent changes to how we live, it is easy to feel like we are losing control of our time or schedules. If you are like me and still working from home, it might feel like your days just flow into each other. I started feeling better when I implemented a new routine for my days. At the end of each day or week, you might find yourself wondering what you achieved. I try to do the same things every day that I know work to give me the sense of fulfillment at the end of my day. Strategies to consider
#2: Explore and do new things Especially since most of us have been staying home a lot, we are missing some opportunities to get inspired by the world outside. We need inspiration to help us continue dreaming and doing new things. When I start feeling stuck, I know that it is time to explore other things that I can do. I start by doing my research and then I plan to take action towards making my dreams a reality. With the help of the internet and tools at our fingertips, we can continue to explore and learn new things. Strategies to consider
#3: Read a good book or listen to a podcast Taking care of yourself is a priority. As part of our self-care routine, we can introduce some cool ways to refresh our thoughts. I have found that reading or listening to a great podcast are easy ways for us to distract ourselves and expand our perspectives on life. I enjoy listening to audio-books or podcasts while I cook or do chores. Strategies to consider
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned: One of my habits that I have been trying to unlearn is the need to be busy all the time. I used to equate not doing anything with being lazy. Over the last months, I have learned the value of sitting still, taking naps and doing nothing. It has become more important for me to get some rest. Over this past week, I took some days off work and stayed in bed for most of the time. It feels really good not to judge myself when I do something for my body. Call to Action When was the last time you scheduled some "me" time? Make some time for yourself this week.  With every new day that we have, there are many opportunities to make the moves towards the future we desire. The events of the past months may have caused us to focus more on now and not allow ourselves to dream or think about the future. Now is a perfect time to start dreaming again.
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4 of the transition preparation guide. #1: Do something that makes you happy With things improving around us, it is the perfect time to do something that makes you happy. We all had to take a break from doing a lot of things. However, there are now little things that we can start doing again. Plan to do something small that brings you joy. It could be getting a haircut, eating one of your favorite meals, visiting the farmers market or having a picnic. Remember to be careful and observe the safety measures in place where you live. Strategies to consider
#2: Celebrate your key milestones If you celebrated a birthday, welcomed a new family member, or had a major milestone over the past 4 months, it was definitely a strange time. In order to celebrate milestones in these times, we have had to find new ways to mark them. We could never have imagined that we will be having virtual birthday parties, baby showers or even graduations. We are fortunate that with everything going on, we can still connect with people who care about us. Over the past weeks, I have had some great family time to celebrate milestones via video chat. Strategies to consider
#3: Highlight the good things in your life Focusing on the good things that happen in our lives, gives us an energy boost. It is easy to let the negative experiences take over our mind. We have to be more intentional and choose to focus on the positive experiences. One technique that I use to ensure that I celebrate the good in my life is to share them with someone around me or write them down. This practice helps me ensure that the happy moments in my life don't pass by unnoticed. It is always fun to go back over my list and review my recent highlights. Strategies to consider
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned: Recently, I have come to the realization that with everything going on, having a positive attitude is crucial. It is easy to be consumed by all the news and scary things happening around me. Every day when I wake up, I remind myself that I am fortunate to be alive and have what I have. Call to Action When was the last time you laughed deeply? Find things that make you happy.  Wishing all the fathers in our lives a Happy Father’s Day. I am incredibly grateful for all the amazing men in my life. Hope you made some time to appreciate the men in your life. Celebrating the amazing people in our lives during times like these makes it even more special.
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months. Check out part 1, part 2 and part 3 of the transition preparation guide. #1: Reflect on what you have learned over the past months There is so much that we can learn from unexpected situations like the one we all experienced over the past months. One thing that we can do is to ensure that we leverage those lessons and apply them to our lives moving forward. One of the ways that I have been capturing the lessons I learned has been at the end of my blog posts. It has given me a catalog that I can reflect on and not forget. Strategies to consider
#2: Help someone who is struggling You might be wondering how helping someone else will help you thrive over the next months. When we help others, it gives us the opportunity to not think about our own situations for a little while. In my experience this helps change our perspective and give us a more positive outlook on our own life experiences. Having a support community where we all help one another has been amazing for me. There is always something small we can do for people around us that will make them happy. Strategies to consider
#3: Plan and take some time off Depending on where you live, summertime might be starting. It is a perfect time to take some time off. Especially if you have been working from home and still cannot travel around, it might be difficult to imagine what you can do with some days off. I have been reminding myself of the benefits of taking some time off to do things that I have been wanting to do. Taking time off will help you recharge, get things done and create space in your mind for some fresh thoughts. Strategies to consider
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned: Over the past two weekends, I have connected a lot with my family. With most of us living in different cities around the world, we have not had a chance to spend quality time together for a while. I have learned that there are simple ways for us to stay connected and celebrate the important milestones. Setting up video calls and having great conversations has been a highlight for me. Call to Action What are you going to do for yourself this week? Prioritize your needs and take care of yourself.  Over the weekend, I observed one of the signs of things slowly going back to normal. We now have toilet tissues on the store shelves. The shortage was a visible sign of the impact of the pandemic on our lives. Small positive signs like these give me hope for the future.
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months. Check out part 1 and part 2 of the transition preparation guide. #1: Create an adaptable plan A plan serves as an orientation guide for decisions and actions that you will be taking over the next months. It might seem impossible to plan anything with all the uncertainty around us. By creating an adaptable plan, you can adjust it as you learn more over the next months. Having a plan will help you ensure you achieve your goals this year. Over the next six months, I am committed to take actions to make this year count. Strategies to consider
#2: Partner with people who are taking action When you surround yourself with people who have the right mindset and are taking action, you increase your chances to succeed. There are a lot of great things that we can learn from each other. I am a firm believer that having great companions on our journey is crucial. Sharing ideas and plans with my support community over the past months has been extremely helpful. We act as accountability partners for each other on our quest to succeed in our personal and professional lives. Strategies to consider
#3: Leave your worries behind The past months may have left you feeling helpless and worried about the future. It is a normal reaction given everything that has happened this year. However, to be able to make progress, we will need to adjust our perspective and have a positive outlook. One of the decisions that I have recently made is to continue my journey this year without fear. I am being cautious and taking the necessary safety precautions. However, I am not allowing fear to stop me from envisioning a great future and taking actions to make them a reality. Strategies to consider
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned: This week I was reminded of the importance of taking care of ourselves. Although I am working from home, I realized that I still need to pace myself and take vacation days. The excitement that came with scheduling my first vacation was unexpected. I know that I need to take a break and rejuvenate. Call to Action What fun things are you going to do this week?  Seeing more things reopen and conversations moving forward after the pandemic is exciting. I am immensely proud of how we are all adapting to the new normal and learning as we go.
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months. Check out part 1 or the transition preparation guide for more tips and ideas. #1: Learn new skills to thrive in these times With all the changes we have experienced over the last months, there are new skills that we need to learn. For some of us, we have had to learn how to work remotely, manage our households more efficiently, communicate differently with our families or being teachers for our kids. To thrive during the next phase, it is crucial to have an open mind and seek out resources that will help you learn the skills that you are missing. I have been learning more about using tools to simplify my life and stay on top of everything I need to do. Strategies to consider
#2: Practice being patient and resilient As we transition to the next phase this year, we will need to practice personal strength in many areas. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by all the change happening. Being patient with yourself and the situations you experience over the next months will help you thrive. For some of us, being patient does not come naturally so we need to be intentional and make an effort. I know that with patience and resilience I will weather any unexpected situation that I will face. Strategies to consider
#3: Learn new things about yourself and people around you When we go through changes, we also change. Facing new situations brings out new things in us as well as our family and friends. Over the past three months, I have learned more about what is important to me and what makes me happy. I am now more aware and accepting of how I am changing through this new phase. Strategies to consider
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned: It is quite easy to feel saddened and demotivated by everything going on in the world. I have been reminded of the importance of being optimistic and having a positive outlook on life. When I think about my future, I am hopeful and excited for what is to come. Call to Action What skills can you learn to help you thrive during the next months?  Over the last three months, I have been writing blog posts sharing tips on how to survive through quarantine and the current situation around us. As things begin to slowly shift, I thought it is a great time for us to begin our mental preparation for the next phase. This is a time of transition from the most unexpected situation we have all faced to the new normal.
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months. #1: Allow yourself to start thinking about the next phase To be able to kick-off the next phase in our lives, we need to give ourselves the permission to think about the future. Although the last months have brought unexpected surprises, there are still many opportunities for us to experience good things this year. This is the perfect time to reflect on what we have learnt and start envisioning the future. Strategies to consider
#2: Set expectations but prepare to learn and adjust While we anticipate what comes next, it is important to be hopeful and not fearful. We might be more inclined to temper our feelings of hope and excitement in order not to be disappointed. A source of motivation for us is being positive about the future. While we are being hopeful about the future, it is also important for us to prepare to pivot and do things differently if we are presented with unexpected situations. Strategies to consider
#3: Accept that things are not going back to normal and will be different Over the next months, we will experience life differently. The events of the last three months have left us all hoping for things to go back to the way that they were before. However, from all indications, things are going to be different over the next months. Accepting the new reality will help us be more successful. We can invest more energy in adapting to the new normal than desiring what we had before. Strategies to consider
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned: Over that last weeks I have realized that although planning is crucial, what really matters is how I adapt when my plans change. I have a lot of peace now that I am adapting to the recent changes instead of trying to push through my plans for 2020. I am also accepting that no amount of planning could have prepared me for our current situation. Call to Action What are you looking forward to the most over the next 6 months?  Wrapping up Mental health awareness month, I would like to discuss some ways we can maintain our mental wellbeing. It is crucial for us to take a proactive approach to taking good care of ourselves.
In this blog post, we will discuss three great things we can all do to make this week great. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6 , part 7, part 8 and part 9 of the survival guide for more tips and ideas. #1: Be aware of your fears and concerns Having fears or concerns is absolutely normal. Many of us grew up in societies where we never spoke about our fears. There was an unspoken rule of silence around topics like that. It took me years to learn that it was ok for me to have some fears as long as I do not let them rule my life. These days I have been paying attention to my concerns around he pandemic and the future when all this is over. Questions to consider
#2: Connect with your support community We all need a group of people who we can confide in and go to when times are tough. Having a tribe and support community has been very important in my life. As I navigate the ups and the downs, I have been blessed to have people who provide me with a safe space. Staying connected to your community is extremely important especially at times like these. Questions to consider
#3: Know that you are not alone in any situation When we go through difficult situations or face challenges, it is easy to think that you are the only one who is experiencing it. Hearing other people's stories can be a way to get encouraged and gain more perspective on your situation. When you share your challenges, you open lines of communication with others around you. Questions to consider
Final Thoughts Let's end this post with one lesson that I learned this past week: It is important to take some time off and relax. Because I have been working from home for almost three months, I have not taken any time off to rest and do nothing. Fortunately, we had a public holiday and additional day off. I did something I needed to do - got a lot of rest. Call to Action How are you going to care for your mental wellbeing?  Over the past weeks we have all gotten to experience new things and discover different aspects of our lives. It is definitely a once in a lifetime experience.
In this blog post, we will discuss three great things we can all do to make this week great. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6 , part 7 and part 8 of the survival guide for more tips and ideas. #1: Breathe and be at peace One of the keys to surviving and thriving through a situation like this is to find a way to be at peace. It can be hard to be calm with everything happening around us. Being intentional about trying to find your peaceful place is crucial in times like this. I have found that I am more at peace when I take good care of myself and do something I enjoy. Questions to consider
#2: Set healthy boundaries At times like these, it is easy to get consumed by all our responsibilities for our families or work. You may find yourself spending many hours doing things and being busy. To avoid burning out, it is essential to set healthy boundaries around your time and energy. One of the things I have been doing better at is separating the times that I work, take care of my home, do things I enjoy and rest. Also, it has been extremely helpful for me to communicate my boundaries and ensure others respect them. Questions to consider
#3: Enjoy the happy moments Although it may be hard to see the good during these times, there are so many things in our lives that are going well. It helps a lot to remind ourselves of how blessed we are and enjoy the happy moments in our lives. I have been making it a priority to sit and celebrate the good things happening in my life. I have been smiling and laughing a lot lately. Questions to consider
Final Thoughts Let's end this post with one lesson that I learned this past week: This past week I have been accepting that I cannot control this situation and the best thing I can do is to be hopeful. As a planner, it is difficult for me but I am learning. Call to Action How are you going to motivate yourself? |
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