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emotions

Setting Stronger Boundaries

Jaclyn Baker
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Setting boundaries is so important – but more often than not is easier said than done.

Saying yes can open the door to new opportunities.

But saying no can help you establish a healthy relationship with yourself which in turn can help you maintain an appropriate work-life balance. 

There will be times when you may not know if you should say yes or no to something. 

Often our emotional response can help lead the way. 

If a specific request makes you feel tense, frustrated or uncomfortable, that is a common sign that a boundary is needed.

Keep on reading for a deeper dive into those emotions.

Tension

Some of us perform better under a little bit of pressure or tension – but too much of anything is not good.

Unresolved and/or intense tension can make it very difficult to relax, recharge and be productive throughout the way.

The next time you catch yourself experiencing tension, take some time to reflect and ask yourself if any event or person may be triggering that feeling.

If you can list one or more, that may be your body’s way of telling you something needs to change. 

Frustration

We all feel frustrated from time to time – whether it be at ourselves, someone else or an event.

Some examples include being stuck in traffic, having a disagreement with a friend or being unable to find a solution to a problem.

Feelings of frustration can sometimes be a sign that your current game plan may need some adjustments.

We may not be able to control everything.

But, we can often control more than we give ourselves credit for.

You can control how you approach things. 

You can control what you say yes to. 

And you can control your thoughts and behaviors. 

Discomfort

Feelings of discomfort are often followed by our gut communicating to us that something isn’t right.

Mild discomfort can be a positive thing and push us to step outside our comfort zone and persevere.

But moderate-severe discomfort can be exhausting and help us realize that a certain situation may be making us unhappy.

Final Thoughts

Our mind and body and very powerful and often have their own uniques ways of communication with us.

Deep down, if something doesn’t feel right to you, you have the power to flip the switch.

You can create new rules that can help protect both your emotional and mental energy.

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The Benefits Of Being Open-Minded

Jaclyn Baker
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Having an open mind can help us grow, thrive and learn in so many ways.

It can also make it easier for us to respect others’ opinions and ideas. 

Being curious and asking others in-depth questions can open the door to new possibilities. 

Challenge Your Thoughts

We can often be more inclined to feel strongly about our thoughts and ideas because we have experienced them first hand. 

However, it’s up to us to challenge ourselves daily, especially when talking with others.

To connect on a deeper level with ourselves and those around us, we can take time to see how we think about certain situations. It all comes down to putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes. 

Ask Questions Often 

Asking other people questions can change the way we think and feel about situations. 

But in order to successfully do that, you may have to ask yourself a few questions first. 

“Are there other ideas that I can consider?”

“What is influencing my opinion right now?”

“Why would someone else think differently?”

Questioning our patterns, thoughts and habits can help us look at them in new and improved ways. 

Take Some Time To Think

Have you ever disagreed with a friend or family member without even taking the time to think it through? 

Giving yourself some extra time to think about their feelings can make it easier for you to see the situation through their eyes. 

You should always be true to yourself and do what makes you happy.

But at the same time, acknowledging others can help change your perspective and, in turn, become a more open-minded person. 

“The mind that opens up to a new idea never returns to its original size.” – Albert Einstein.

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Embracing Our Emotions

Jaclyn Baker
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Trying to fight or ignore emotions can give them even more power.

While facing and accepting them head-on can help us better understand and embrace them. 

Welcome Your Emotions 

Have you ever tried naming your emotions? 

Certain emotions can often feel a little confusing, and it can be hard to differentiate if they are positive, negative or somewhere in between.

Take note of what your body is trying to tell you.

You can do this by assessing the situation you are in and simply stating exactly what’s on your mind.

Sometimes saying exactly what’s going on in your head out loud can help make those thoughts easier to understand. 

Say Thank You

When friends come to visit us, we thank them.

Why can’t we do the same thing with our emotions?

Every emotion has something to teach us – and we can thank them for that. 

Here’s an example. Let’s say you’re starting to get worried about a deadline at work.

You can thank your worry for keeping you on track and on top of your deadline.

After all, all feelings visit us for a reason! 

Listen And Learn

Emotions do so much for us. 

They can help us dig deep, stay safe, set goals and step outside our comfort zone. Taking the time to really listen to them can teach us valuable lessons. 

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The Pursuit Of Happiness

Jaclyn Baker
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Instead of looking elsewhere, we can find happiness within ourselves. 

Accept The Imperfections

What makes life unique is that it’s imperfect – and that’s okay!

Having such high expectations for ourselves can be stressful. 

It’s so easy to constantly want “more” or to be “better.”

Accepting the imperfections of life starts with embracing being comfortable with the uncomfortable.

Express Gratitude

Expressing gratitude for what you already have can change how you look at things. 

Simply writing down five things you are grateful for every morning can help you start each day on a positive note.  

That small exercise can help you reevaluate your values and challenge yourself to dig deeper. 

Gratitude is a powerful force!

Leave Judgement Behind

Investing time and energy in positive thoughts can be very inspiring.  

Now’s the time to be your biggest cheerleader by creating a judgement-free zone in your mind. 

Our days won’t always turn out as planned, and that’s okay. You deserve to cut yourself some slack. 

“You have everything you need for complete peace and total happiness right now.” – Wayne Dyer.

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How To Adjust To A New Year And New Transitions

Jaclyn Baker
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There are quite a handful of things in life we can’t control. Change and time are two of those things.

The start of a new year can often feel like a time of transition.

We may not know exactly what lies ahead but can control our attitude and outlook towards it. 

Develop a Sense of Agency

Do you ever feel a little lost going through the motions?

It’s so easy to feel like life is happening to us. But that is not the case.

You have a say in where you want to go in life.

You can make your own changes, both big and small.

Seek Gratitude

Practicing gratitue on a regular basis can help put several situations into perspective.

There is always something to be grateful for. You just have to know where to look. Practice noticing small events of appreciation once in a while.

Before you know it, it will become a habit. 

Be Present

There is no time like the present! Change and transition are inevitable.

Nothing we say or do will change what happened yesterday.

The only moment that matters right now is this very moment.

Time flies so fast – exactly why it is so important to appreciate every moment for what it is. 

“Your life is a story of transition. You are always leaving one chapter behind while moving on to the next.” – Anonymous

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How To Better Understand And Manage Holiday Season Stress

Jaclyn Baker
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The holiday season is typically known as “the most wonderful time of the year.” 

Spending time with family, attending dinners and picking out gifts can be a lot of fun – but can also be stressful and tiring. 

Practicing self care is essential 365 days a year. 

However – it is much more important during busy and/or stressful events such as the holidays. 

If you feel like you are taking on too much or need a break, it’s okay to respect your body’s limits. 

Not sure how or where to begin? Keep on reading. 

Accept Your Needs

It’s so important to carve out time for self care.

We are all human and can only go so long without taking a break. 

If a friend or family member asks you to do something, it’s okay to say no if you don’t think you can handle it.

Regularly check in with yourself and think about your needs and wants. 

If a certain activity brings you joy, keep on doing it.

And if a certain activity brings on stress, it may be time to walk away or at least cutback. 

Taking Shortcuts

Believe it or not, shortcuts are absolutely okay and even encouraged in certain situations.

If you feel like you have too much on your plate, you can certainly ask for help or scale back on commitments.

Focus on Your Breathing

Whether you’re feeling relaxed, overwhelmed or an emotion in between, taking slow deep breaths regularly is key. 

Carving out a few minutes a day to sit down and do nothing other than focus on your breathing can help reduce stress and bring on a new sense of calm.

You can practice deep breathing anytime and anywhere. 

The more you practice, the sooner it will become a habit. 

“There are times when we stop, we sit still. We listen and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper.” —James Carroll

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International Day Of Persons With Disabilities

Jaclyn Baker
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Nearly 15 percent of the world’s population has some kind of disability according to the World Health Organization. And yet, this population is underrepresented in the media and in our communities.  

December 3, is an annual day of observance started in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly to “promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society.” 

The United Nations indicates that “Even under normal circumstances, persons with disabilities are less likely to access health care, education, employment and to participate in the community. An integrated approach is required to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind.”

Here are some ways for us all to help recognize this day and work towards inclusion for people of all abilities:

  • Only boost disabled creators content on social media platforms like TikTok, 
  • Educate yourself on our history and civil rights movements in regards to people with disabilities
  • Think about the ways in which the things you do can be more inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities, at work, in your personal life, and online.

You can learn more with the resources below:

International Day Of Persons With Disabilities 

How We Can All Celebrate The International Day Of Persons With Disabilities

Stories | International Day Of People With Disability 

See The Ability In Disability | YouTube

15 Best Books About Disability To Add To Your TBR List

Building Bridges

Jaclyn Baker
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We live in a world that has become quite polarized. 

Despite the frustration that can come from interactions, there are positive things to learn from differing perspectives. Have you ever noticed that when you meet someone with a different viewpoint in person, rather than online, you have more empathy for their point of view? Taking the anonymity out of an interaction can help the other side seem more real.

Some guidelines for embracing diversity:

Have an open mind: If someone has a different outlook than you, take the time to hear them out and try to understand where they are coming from.

Show empathy: Try to get to know the person better without judgement.

Challenge stereotypes: Become more aware of the language you use to describe others. Is it accurate?

Share your beliefs: Try to share in a way that is non-judgemental to those with different beliefs.  Help people understand where you are coming from.

Accepting others as they are:

  • Increases your own personal growth.
  • Decreases resentments as you can focus on what is positive instead of what is negative.
  • Brings about closeness with others
  • Allows you to let go of control of the situation

Embracing the diversity in our society is how we can learn and grow. By accepting each other regardless of our differences, we can find ways to connect genuinely.

Embracing differences might mean trying to understand different opinions without judgement.  And it can be challenging as others might not be as dedicated to making changes as you are. 

At the end of the day, we are all human. We all experience fears, joys, and laughter in our own way. 

We may not all be the same, but that’s why it’s even more important to acknowledge and embrace these differences. They are what makes everyone special. 

You can explore these resources to learn more: 

Empathy – Accept Other For Who They Are

6 Steps For Building An Inclusive Workplace

11 Books To Read If You Want To Be A More Inclusive Leader

Teaching Kindness And Acceptance Toward Differences | For Parents 

How To Seek Out And Celebrate Diversity In And Out Of Your Community