If you tuned in to my last post, then you know our theme is attachment styles! But if you missed it and want to read about my confession to being a member of the Anxious Attachment Club, and what that means, click here. This week, we’re moving on to discuss the avoidant attachment style. 

Have you ever heard of attachment styles? When I first learned about the concept, my supervisor recommended the well-researched, popular book, Attached. Geez, I had never been so called out by a book before. 😳

Did you know there's a National Measure Your Feet Day? And a National Pick Your Nose Day?! So weird, right? While it seems like everything under the sun has a “National Day,” Saturday's title was particularly special to me. It was National Podcast Day. ☺️

The other day, when talking to a friend, he asked a simple, yet crucial question. “What’s one thing you do to help people validate their feelings?” We had been talking about how people often invalidate their own feelings with phrases like, “I know I shouldn’t be feeling this way.” “It’s really not that big of a deal.” “I shouldn't be crying."

Five months ago I changed the background of my phone to the picture above. Since then, I’ve been asked many times, "who's that?" As most people know I don’t have children. The picture is of me. I am about three or four years old and this is my Inner Child.

Do you ever catch yourself rolling your eyes at something? Or rebelling against perceived authority, just because you don’t like being told what to do. If so, you might be you’re feeling your Inner Teenager. 😎

If you were around to witness the mini breakdown I shared in my last email, then you get how much I needed some real, healing change after my long summer. Something to help boost my energy, motivation, and mood. Taking a few rest days wasn’t cutting it, so I started the Purium Ten-Day Cleanse to reset my gut health.

I don’t know know about you, but so far, my summer has been PACKED! First, I spent two weeks in Flordia with my partner's family, then five weeks in Colorado co-facilitating an amazing life changing retreat for young adults (see my previous email for details), then I jetted back to Sacramento where I jumped into co-facilitating ANOTHER retreat at the Authentic Leadership Center.

When I think of my happy place, I imagine my childhood camp in Colorado that I attended for eight years. I picture a bright blue sky setting a backdrop to perfectly puffy clouds, looking so close you can touch them. I see snow covered peaks and rushing rivers. I feel SAFE and COMFORTABLE here.

Did you know that one in three college students reports feeling severe levels of anxiety and/or depression? Big sigh. I know, it's not most the most UPLIFTING news in the world. But I bring this up for two reasons…

One year ago, I wrote to this community for the first time. And if you've been here since the beginning, you know how much has happened this year! You've really witnessed A LOT. Every two weeks I have connected with you all, sharing parts of my journey, my emotions, my thoughts, low points, and excitements.

It was my seventh grade year and my English teacher assigned my first BIG essay. I had a vague idea where I wanted to go with it, but I was STUCK. I didn’t know how to start, what to say, or how to spell most words. And I especially didn't know how to move past the paralysis. Then, a family friend shared some key advice that I've used ever since.