How Can I Find More Joy and Support in My Life?

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When You’re Stressed, Try This First

I’ll be honest with you. I had a stressful day. You know the kind. The kind where everything feels heavy. Your to-do list is multiplying, something emotional hits you sideways, and even your arms feel like they weigh a hundred pounds.

That was me, sitting in a Zoom meeting, shoulders locked up, breath tight in my chest, and my dog squeaking a toy like he was on a mission to test my patience.

But here’s the thing. I’ve learned that stress isn’t just something we push through. It’s a signal. It’s our nervous system saying, “Hey, something’s off.”

And we have more power than we think to shift it.

So I paused. Put my hands on my heart. Breathed in for four, held for four, exhaled for eight. Three rounds of that, and I could feel my body saying, “Thank you. We’re okay now.”

That moment reminded me of something I want you to know too: you don’t need to wait for things to calm down. You can create calm. Right here. Right now.

Whether you’re overwhelmed, frazzled, or just feeling off, try this:

1. Breathe like you mean it. In for 4, hold for 4, out for 8. Do it three times.

2. Name it. Say out loud or write: “I’m feeling overwhelmed because…” Naming it puts your hands back on the wheel.

3. Take one small step. Don’t try to fix everything. Ask: “What’s one small thing I can do right now to support myself?”

We don’t need to be superhuman. We just need to be self-honest.

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about coming back to yourself when stress takes over because that’s where your power lives.

3 Quotes to Ponder:

1. “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes—including you.” —Anne Lamott
   

2. “Sometimes the most urgent thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest.” —Ashleigh Brilliant
   

3. “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees... is by no means a waste of time.” —John Lubbock

2 Thought Experiments:

1. What if stress isn’t the problem, but a compass pointing toward what needs your care?

2. Imagine your stress is a younger version of you tugging at your sleeve. What does she need to feel safe?1 Action Step (Journal Prompt):

Write about a recent time when collaboration helped you achieve something significant. What were the key elements that made this collaboration successful? How did it make you feel, and what did you learn from the experience?

1 Action Step Journal Prompt:

What is one area of my life that feels heavy, and what would feel like a lighter choice today?

Remember, I'm here to support you on this journey!

Warmly,

Vickie Poole

Would you like some help?

Want tools that help you shift out of stress and stay anchored in calm?

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If there’s something you’re looking for, let me know. I’ll do my best to create it just for you.

What I’m Reading This Week

This book is giving me LIFE right now:
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

It’s about what happens when you stop shrinking and start saying yes to the invitations life keeps offering.

Read it with me and tell me your favorite part.

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