Tag: mental health

Healing Through Creation: The Power of a Creative Outlet

by Mothersense, posted in Uncategorized

There’s something magical that happens when we put our pain, joy, confusion, or hope into words, images, or melodies. Lately, I’ve been writing songs, poetry, short stories, and sharing pieces of my journey here on this blog. Each piece—whether it flows easily or arrives stubborn and raw—has been a small but powerful step forward in my healing.

Creating isn’t just about making something beautiful or polished. Sometimes it’s messy. Sometimes it’s just about getting through the day, giving shape to a feeling that doesn’t have a name yet. But over time, I’ve come to see that this act of expressing—of making—has been one of the most effective tools in my emotional toolbox.

Why Creative Outlets Heal

When we go through pain, trauma, stress, or even just the overwhelming pressure of day-to-day life, it can feel like everything inside us is swirling out of control. Creative outlets give us a way to take back the narrative. They allow us to externalize what’s internal, and suddenly, what felt chaotic becomes a canvas we can look at, understand, and maybe even learn to appreciate.

Here’s what I’ve noticed about using creativity to heal:

  • It makes space for truth. There are things I didn’t even realize I needed to say until I wrote them down. That truth, however small, opens a door.
  • It reduces the pressure to “fix” everything. Healing doesn’t need to be linear. Sometimes it’s just about showing up and writing the next verse or paragraph.
  • It empowers me. Whether I’m writing a powerful lyric or a quiet line of poetry, it reminds me that I have a voice. That I’m not just surviving—I’m creating.

Balancing Healing and Hustling

Right now, I’m also deep in study mode, working toward earning my securities licenses. It’s a grind. It’s mentally exhausting. But even in that structured, analytical world, I find moments where creativity sneaks in—whether it’s the way I reframe a financial concept to help it stick, or the way I motivate myself with a lyric I wrote last week. Studying for these exams is part of my future, but writing keeps me present.

It’s strange but comforting how these two seemingly opposite parts of my life—rigid test prep and freeform writing—are actually balancing each other out. One grounds me, the other sets me free.

How’s Your Healing Journey Going?

If you’re reading this, maybe you’re on a healing path of your own. Maybe you’re creating something, or maybe you haven’t yet, but the idea is tugging at you. I encourage you to try. You don’t have to show anyone. You don’t have to be good at it. You just have to let it be real.

So how’s your healing journey going? What helps you feel a little more whole?

Leave a comment or just reflect quietly—but know that your story matters. And maybe, just maybe, your next step forward begins with a blank page.

Until next time,
Keep creating. Keep healing. Keep going.

✨🖊️🎶

Simple Practices for Grounding Yourself in Change

by Mothersense, posted in Uncategorized
ChatGPT said:

Embracing Change with Grace, One Breath at a Time

It’s late—again—and the house is quiet, save for the occasional creak of settling floors and the low hum of our overworked fridge. These nights have become familiar, comforting even, as I sit with my thoughts, making adjustments not just to my own routine and eating habits, but also alongside my husband as he navigates changes in his job. Life feels like it’s in a constant state of transition lately—waves of change washing over our home, our schedules, our expectations. And there’s more on the horizon.

With all of this shifting, it’s easy to get swept up in the chaos. I’ve been doing my best to hold on to my anchors: my meditation practice, yoga sessions, staying consistent with my medications, and trying—really trying—to get the sleep I need. But let’s be honest: insomnia is a familiar friend, one that creeps in just as I finally find a moment of calm.

So I’m reminding myself daily: pause. Breathe. Find joy in the little things.

Because the truth is, mindfulness isn’t about perfection or having it all together—it’s about noticing. Noticing the way the sunlight filters through the blinds in the morning. The quiet satisfaction of a warm cup of tea. The soft exhale at the end of a yoga pose. Even the way my dog sighs contentedly at my feet.

If you’re navigating your own season of change, here are a few mindfulness techniques that have been helping me stay grounded:

1. The Five Senses Check-In

Take a moment and notice:

  • 1 thing you can taste
  • 2 things you can smell
  • 3 things you can hear
  • 4 things you can feel
  • 5 things you can see

This is especially useful when I’m feeling overwhelmed or spiraling into anxious thoughts.

2. Box Breathing

This simple breathing technique works wonders for calming my nervous system—especially in the middle of the night.

  • Inhale for 4 counts
  • Hold for 4 counts
  • Exhale for 4 counts
  • Hold for 4 counts

Repeat for a few minutes. It helps me feel like I’m back in control of at least one thing: my breath.

3. Gratitude Journaling

Even if I can only come up with one thing, I write it down. Some days it’s as small as “I made my bed,” or “the soup didn’t burn.” But these little victories matter.

4. Gentle Sleep Rituals

When insomnia comes knocking, I’ve found a few rituals that soften its grip:

  • A warm shower before bed
  • Soft ambient music or white noise
  • A good book (no screens!)
  • Magnesium supplements or a calming herbal tea
  • Legs-up-the-wall yoga pose (amazing for winding down)

Change is never easy. And when it comes all at once—internally and externally—it can feel like too much. But we’re adapting. Slowly, intentionally, with grace when we can and forgiveness when we fall short.

So tonight, I’m reminding myself—and maybe you too—that it’s okay to be in the middle of the mess. That peace isn’t the absence of change, but the presence of awareness. And that the little things? They’re not so little after all.

Here’s to embracing the changes, honoring the chaos, and still finding quiet in the corners.

— With love and a sleepy heart 💛

Life Transitions: Finding Peace Amidst Chaos

by Mothersense, posted in Uncategorized

MIA, But Not Gone

I know I’ve been MIA.

Sometimes, life demands that we step back—not just from work or social media—but from everything. I had to hit pause. I had to give myself permission to simply be.

Over the past few months, I’ve been dealing with some health issues that forced me to reassess my routines and my life in a real, deep way. It wasn’t as easy as just adding a new pill to my morning or nighttime regimen and calling it a day. These were foundational shifts. Things had to change—mentally, physically, emotionally.

I had to move more. I had to get better at managing my stress. And I don’t mean just more yoga, more meditation, or another breathing exercise. I mean truly facing some things I’ve carried for a long time. Things that made me feel angry, sad, and raw. Grief came back around—like it always does—and knocked the wind out of me when I least expected it.

So I’ve been sitting with my feelings. Letting them breathe. Giving them space instead of stuffing them down like I’ve done so many times before. I’ve had to re-center. To literally touch grass. I know it sounds cliché, but there was something healing about standing barefoot in the yard, letting the sun warm my skin and the earth hold me up.

All this while life keeps moving forward at full speed.

My youngest son is heading into his sophomore year of high school—talking about getting a job, becoming more independent, stepping into the world in new ways. And my oldest daughter… she’s getting married. Married. There’s so much to be proud of, so much to be pleased about—but also this deep ache. Because they’re not babies anymore.

They will always be my babies. But we’re not in that chapter anymore. And letting go of those earlier seasons, even while embracing the beauty of what’s now, has been its own kind of mourning.

It’s a strange, tender time. A phase of life where things are shifting—again. We’re growing. We’re changing. And while I know, deep down, that this next chapter is going to be beautiful—it’s also really messy. It’s hard. It’s uncertain. And sometimes it’s just plain exhausting.

But here’s what I do know: I’ve survived 100% of the days I thought would break me. And I’m still here. We’re still here. Finding our footing. Creating new routines. Learning how to breathe deeply again.

So if you’re in the thick of it too—whatever your “it” looks like—just know that you’re not alone. Healing isn’t linear. Growth isn’t neat. And the hard days don’t last forever.

We’re adjusting. And it’s going to be okay. Maybe even more than okay.

We’re making something beautiful.

Mess and all.

Breaking Free from Your Comfort Zone

by Mothersense, posted in Uncategorized

Where Growth Begins
We all love our comfort zones. They’re warm, familiar, and safe — a space where
routines rule, risks are low, and uncertainty is kept at bay. It’s where we feel in control.
But while this space might feel cozy, it can also become a quiet trap, keeping us stuck in
sameness and stalling our potential.
Growth, learning, and transformation don’t happen in the comfort zone. They begin the
moment we stretch beyond it — when we test our limits, explore the unfamiliar, and
challenge our own self-imposed boundaries.

The Power of the Stretch
Stretching beyond the comfort zone doesn’t mean making reckless decisions or chasing
extremes. It means trying something new, stepping into the unknown even if your voice
shakes, and accepting that discomfort is part of the journey.
Maybe it’s launching that business idea you’ve been sitting on. Or finally signing up for
that fitness class. Maybe it’s starting a creative project, speaking in public, or even just
introducing yourself to someone new. Each step outside the comfort zone is a vote of
confidence in yourself.
The truth is, you can’t grow without a little stretch. That’s how muscles develop, skills
sharpen, and people evolve.

Rethinking Failure: A Learning Opportunity
One of the biggest reasons we cling to the comfort zone is fear — especially the fear of
failure. But what if we started seeing failure for what it really is: a First Attempt In
Learning?

Failure is not a dead-end. It’s feedback. It teaches resilience, refines strategies, and
builds wisdom. Every successful person has failed — not once, but often. The
difference is, they didn’t stop there. They saw failure not as a reflection of their worth,
but as a stepping stone to growth.
Let’s drop the perfectionism. We are often our own harshest critics, expecting ourselves
to get everything right the first time. But perfection is a myth — progress is real. Give
yourself permission to be a beginner. To stumble. To grow messy and real, instead of
polished and safe.

Investing in Yourself Is the Boldest Move You Can Make
Whether you’re dreaming of building a business, learning a new hobby, improving your
health, or expanding your social circle — the first step is the scariest. But it’s also the
most empowering.
Taking a leap of faith isn’t about having zero fear — it’s about moving forward despite
the fear. It’s telling yourself, “I may not have all the answers yet, but I believe I’m worth
the effort.”

A Challenge for You
Today, take one small step outside your comfort zone. It doesn’t have to be dramatic.
Maybe it’s sharing your work online, reaching out to someone you admire, or signing up
for a class. Whatever it is, let it be a declaration: I am willing to grow.
You don’t need to be fearless. You just need to be brave enough to begin.

Remember: Your comfort zone may feel safe, but your potential lives outside of it. Take
the leap. Stretch. Fail. Learn. And most importantly, believe in yourself enough to try.

Making Lemons to Lemonade: Pausing to Heal

by Mothersense, posted in Uncategorized

When Life Gives You Lemons

Life has really been topsy-turvy over the last few years. Every single time I feel like I’ve got things together and they’re finally smoothing out—BAM! Something happens. Something shifts. The rug gets pulled out from under me and I’m left to figure out how to adapt all over again.

Sometimes it’s something small, like needing to start blood pressure medicine. Other times, it’s devastating, like the loss of a parent. Either way, it changes the way we move through life. I say “we,” but really, I mean me. These experiences shape how I think, how I react, and how I heal.

Over the past few years, I’ve gained and lost a lot—people, routines, habits, hopes. But right now, I want to focus on what I’ve gained. I need to. Because if I dwell too long on the losses, I risk sinking into a deep ocean of grief. So instead, I choose to lean into growth. I’m learning to be still. To listen. Not just to the noise around me, but to the quiet wisdom inside my body and my instincts.

When You Slip (And You Will), Here’s How to Get Back on Track

Let’s be honest—knowing what’s good for you doesn’t always mean you’ll do it. I have the knowledge. I know how to eat well, sleep better, stretch, breathe, reflect, reset. But in those moments when the world feels heavy and nothing makes sense, the old habits come back like they never left.

Maybe I skip meals or reach for all the wrong ones. I forget to drink water. I stay up too late scrolling. I miss my yoga. My meditation mat gathers dust. And then come the consequences: brain fog, body aches, mood swings, a constant feeling of being off.

Here’s what I’ve learned, though:

  • Start small. Don’t try to overhaul your life overnight. Pick one thing. Just one. Maybe it’s drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning. Maybe it’s five minutes of quiet breathing before bed. Just start.
  • Don’t punish yourself. Guilt is not a motivator; it’s an anchor. Instead of beating yourself up, offer yourself some grace. Say, “Okay, I missed today. Tomorrow is a fresh start.”
  • Set visual cues. Put your yoga mat where you can see it. Leave sticky notes with affirmations on your mirror. Set reminders in your phone to pause and breathe.
  • Talk about it. Whether with a friend, a therapist, or a journal—say it out loud. When you name the struggle, it loses some of its power.

How to Make Lemonade When Life Gives You Lemons

The truth is, life will give you lemons. Sometimes by the bucketload. But those lemons? They don’t have to rot. They can be squeezed into something meaningful, something new. Here’s how I’m learning to turn sour moments into sweet progress:

  • Shift the perspective. Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” try, “What is this trying to teach me?” Every challenge is an invitation to evolve.
  • Create something. Pain and frustration are powerful fuel for creativity. Write, paint, build, sing, garden—channel that energy somewhere healing.
  • Help someone else. When you’re struggling, reach out to someone else who is too. Kindness multiplies, and it gives your pain purpose.
  • Celebrate the smallest wins. Got out of bed today? Win. Drank water instead of soda? Win. Laughed, even once? That’s a huge win.

Final Thoughts

Life’s chaos won’t stop. There will always be something unexpected around the corner. But the way I meet those moments? That’s up to me. I’m learning—slowly, imperfectly—to meet them with softness, with self-awareness, and with hope. Even when I slip, even when it’s hard, I keep reminding myself:

I can begin again.

And again.

And again.

Because when life gives me lemons, I won’t just make lemonade.

I’ll build the whole stand.