Making Mealtime Special Making mealtime special can involve doing something out of the ordinary, like dusting off and using that “look-but-don’t-touch” teapot and teacup combo for breakfast. It can also include preparing meals as a family and eating them together around the table (or via FaceTime, if you’re unable to be with your family right now). Eating together as a…
Introverts and Small Talk Dear Extroverts (and Ambiverts)—I’d hoped to get through the COVID-19 Quarantine without saying this, but after receiving several invitations to virtual get-togethers (which I both appreciate and find stressful), I feel the need to share the reason why I (and other Introverts) may not “attend”… If introverts hate small talk at cocktail parties and other in-person…
Mask Confusion There has been a great deal of confusion about whether or not we should wear masks in public during this coronavirus pandemic—and if so, what type? The CDC has recently answered that question by recommending the use of cloth face coverings in public settings (where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, like at the grocery stores…
Ways to Reduce Stress As coronavirus news updates become more alarming by the day, and concerns about our health, our finances and the availability of resources feels more pressing, it’s easy to become gripped by fear and anxious about all of the uncertainty we’re facing. While we’re doing what we can to prevent infection with COVID-19 by washing our hands…
Lesson Learned As our family begins our 3rd week of distance learning, my list of “lessons learned” continues to grow. One lesson that is abundantly clear—it’s time for more structure, and self-compassion. Ready To Slow Down After the whirlwind that often typifies the Lanier Experience: our recent relocation to a new city (Atlanta) for my husband’s new job, downsizing into…
Let Go of What you Can’t Control Let go of what you can’t control and focus on what you can. Special thanks to my beautiful friend, Mavis for sending the awesome graphic (below) to me yesterday (from thecounselingteacher.com). As news regarding Coronavirus continues, it can be tough to balance staying informed with avoiding the anxiety that news updates can cause.…
Take a breath and a beat! Whenever I’ve said that to my children (or to myself), it was an invitation to pause for a moment. To take a deep breath in order to circulate fresh oxygen (and hopefully a new perspective)! And taking a beat was encouragement to stop for a moment to relax. Taking time to pause and think…
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. – Philippians 4:11 (NKJV). After deciding to live life more mindfully and authentically, the next step was determining exactly what I needed in order to be content. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines contentment as a state of happiness…
