by Diane Hilleary | Aug 8, 2022 | Uncategorized
We are all experiencing grief. Sometimes we hide it well, other times it grabs us and we’re afraid it will pull us under. When we stop to think about what we’ve lost we feel a sense of heaviness. We may be grieving different things, but we are all feeling it. When I...
by Diane Hilleary | May 25, 2022 | Uncategorized
As a kid when someone called me an unkind name, I would sometimes respond with the familiar adage, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This saying has a nice ring to it, but as an adult I know it’s a lie. The truth is that while most...
by Diane Hilleary | Apr 28, 2022 | Uncategorized
Have you ever walked away from a generally positive meeting and noticed your brain zeroing in on the one negative moment? If so, you are not alone. This is the way brains work! When we feel stressed and overwhelmed our brain responds by narrowing our focus, scanning...
by Diane Hilleary | Mar 15, 2022 | Uncategorized
We are living through a time of unprecedented anxiety and uncertainty. For those of us who struggle with anxiety even in more normal times, the current state of the world can feel overwhelming and paralyzing. Many of us are searching desperately for some measure of...
by Diane Hilleary | Feb 24, 2022 | Uncategorized
The other day I was late to an appointment I had been looking forward to. I felt frustrated with myself for missing something I actually wanted to do. I was angry at my dog for delaying me, angry with the other cars on the road: It was an unpleasant drive! Moments...
by Diane Hilleary | Jan 3, 2022 | Uncategorized
The new year often brings a desire for a fresh start. As the calendar turns it prompts us to think about changes we want to make in our lives. If you look at the January store sales, you would think the way to make lasting change is to buy new workout gear or...
by Diane Hilleary | Dec 17, 2021 | Uncategorized
Loneliness is a particularly painful feeling during the winter holidays. Though we are often surrounded by family, we may still feel disconnected or alone. If we have lost loved ones, the grief can intensify around the holidays. A self-compassion break is a practice...
by Diane Hilleary | Nov 19, 2021 | Uncategorized
During the winter holidays we see a lot of messaging about everything being merry and bright. There is a cultural focus on gratitude and strong pressure to spend time with family. For many of us, though, the holidays also bring extra stress, grief, and pain. Though we...
by Diane Hilleary | Oct 19, 2021 | Uncategorized
Did you know that our brains are evolved to feel what other people are feeling in our own body? Our mirror neurons can feel our child’s anxiety or our partner’s frustration. If we work in a helping profession or have multiple caregiving roles, we are especially...
by Diane Hilleary | Sep 22, 2021 | Uncategorized
Often when I feel hurt, overwhelmed or frustrated, I have a second set of feelings that are judgmental of the first set. I notice myself feeling resentful about all the caretaking I’m doing and then I feel guilty for not counting my blessings. I notice feeling hurt...
