International Women’s Day 2024

March 7, 2024

As I reflect on IWD2024, I cherish the fellowship of women who support one another in the endless list of commitments and responsibilities.  Women step forward to serve in diverse ways to fulfill the needs of their families and community.  The caregiver label captures so many different roles in today’s world.  As caregivers focus on supporting the needs of others, they may overlook their own needs.  When we take care of ourselves and feel our best, we operate on a higher level, moving through life more confident and powerful. IWD and Women’s History Month is an ideal time to make your wellness a priority! Self-care involves recognizing your needs and taking responsibility to thoughtfully make choices about your lifestyle.  Partnering with a personal development coach is an opportunity for self-care that you owe to yourself.

Do you identify as a caregiver? How do you address your wellness and self-care amid multiple priorities?  Are YOU ready to become YOUR Primary Caregiver?

Check out my Resource Hub and complete the Self Care and Wellness Assessment OR the Caregiver Assessment.

Are you ready to identify as YOUR primary caregiver with Primary WellnessContact me for a complimentary 20-minute discovery session.


Intentions – Walking into November and December

November 1, 2023

This year, I have set the intention to increase the time that I spend outdoors.  With the responsibilities of my schedule as a family caregiver, this is easiest to do at morning’s first light, after the school run.  Finn and I eagerly set out this morning after the first snow of the season.  As a Michigan native, I am the cold-weather type who thoroughly enjoys walking in the cold and even the snow.  Our early morning walks will be essential to my wellness routine during the upcoming holiday season.  The hectic schedules, family gatherings, parties, and abundance of indulgences over the next 2 months require deliberate intentions for self-care. Spending time with friends, family, and colleagues in meaningful connection supports our wellness.  The joys and celebrations of the season need not come at the expense of our wellbeing.

How does the holiday season challenge you in your role as a caregiver? How do you manage your wellness intentions during this season? What intentions would support your wellness as a caregiver during the holidays?

Check out my Resource Hub and complete the Self Care and Wellness Assessment OR the Caregiver Assessment.

Are you ready to set intentions as YOUR primary caregiver with Primary WellnessContact me for a complimentary 20-minute discovery session.


The Healing Garden

October 5, 2023

A recent trip to the local healing garden during a morning of self-care and respite gave me time to reflect on “healing”.  The winding walkways, fully-bloomed gardens, water features, wind chimes, and nature’s creatures offer a feast for the senses.  The extended footpath reminded me that healing is a continuous journey and not a specific destination.  As we cope with disappointments, accept new seasons of life, grieve losses, or confront life-changing diagnoses, healing is a winding path.  The healing journey is not scripted and varies depending on us as individuals. The bumps and turns in daily life and relationships can impact the healing journey.  Sometimes our reaction to an unexpected comment can re-open a tender area that we otherwise thought was “healed”.

What are you healing from? How has caregiving impacted your healing journey? Have you experienced a return to a formerly healed area?

Check out my Resource Hub and complete the Self Care and Wellness Assessment OR the Caregiver Assessment.

Are you ready to begin the healing journey to become YOUR primary caregiver with Primary WellnessContact me for a complimentary 20-minute discovery session.


Self Care – at the Farmer’s Market?

June 15, 2023

One of the many blessings of the summer is the weekly Farmer’s Markets.  I take this time as an indulgence and a short break from caregiver duties. I confess that I am a morning person and love the quiet and stillness of the world before everyone else joins the day.  I arrive at the market when it opens to find that sweet spot of smaller crowds and prime selections.  This is a time to slow down while shopping for lovely, bright produce to incorporate into the upcoming week’s menu plan.  These trips require some discipline as I admire the small craft and bakery business owners.  Self-care does not equal unlimited decadence, rather impulse control, and mindfulness are in order when admiring treats.  On this day, I was pleased with my modest selections: greens for salads, garlic scapes and chives for seasoning, whole grain sourdough, and a new pottery mug.

Self-Care Ideas:

  • Spend time outside. If possible, free of devices (if you are able, depending on caregiver responsibilities).
  • Take a few moments to journal your thoughts and feelings.  You are the only audience here, take this opportunity to vent.
  • Meal plan one of your favorite dishes to enjoy as lunches throughout the week.  Nourish yourself with one of your treasured recipes.
  • Pick a preferred exercise – gentle stretching, walking, yoga, light weights, whatever you enjoy – spend 30 minutes doing it instead of media scrolling.

 

What does your self-care look like? Do you take small pockets of time away from caregiver responsibilities to enjoy a simple pastime?  How do you balance fulfilling nutrition with occasional treats?  Check out my Resource Hub and complete the Self Care and Wellness Assessment OR the Caregiver Assessment.

Ready to begin the journey to become YOUR primary caregiver with Primary WellnessContact me for a complimentary 20-minute discovery session.


More Than a Cup of Coffee…..What else?

June 5, 2023

Last month, I enjoyed an extended weekend getaway in San Diego for Mother’s Day. I wandered outside with my refilled coffee during a quiet morning alone while my husband finished at a work conference.  My initial approach to sitting with a cup of coffee was similar to that at home – finish your coffee and move forward with the day’s duties. Despite having a 4-day respite from caregiving, my mind was still in caregiver mode.   As caregivers, we condition ourselves for “what’s next”.  My only responsibility at that moment was the cup of coffee at an oceanfront resort.   It took intentional slowing down to remind myself to “be”.  Awareness from my daily meditation practice and mindfulness settled me into that moment to enjoy the quiet and calm while looking forward to a weekend away with my husband.  

As a caregiver, what does your self-care look like?  Do you settle easily into the time away from juggling many responsibilities?  What else do you do to renew yourself?

Ready to find out how to focus on your wellbeing – becoming YOUR primary caregiver? 

Contact me for a complimentary 20-minute Discovery Session.


Primary Caregiver – Be the Agent of YOUR Wellbeing

March 31, 2023

Throughout my journey, “life happened” as it does for all of us navigating this complex world. My coping strategies and imbalanced nutrition impacted my health and wellness. As both a social worker in my professional career and as a family caregiver, I was challenged to take proper care of my health. Guidance from professionals and respected mentors supported me through a lifestyle change of balanced, whole food nutrition and regular exercise.

In early 2020, I fully committed to a career change and began formal coach training education. Coaching education includes a course and regular practice in addressing values, strengths, and opportunities for growth. My experiences through that work in addition to meditation and mindfulness have fortified my wellness practice. With my health and wellness routines, I now effectively cope with the emotions and manage the stressors of caregiving responsibilities. I know what it is like to put everyone else’s needs first while leaving yourself last every time. I have healed and recovered from professional clinical burnout and personal caregiver fatigue. Coaching provides the ideal platform for me to accompany clients and workplace wellness groups on their journey to a health and wellness practice that supports their needs.

Partner with me to restore yourself as your own Primary Caregiver, positioning you to fulfill your duty of care to yourself – first and foremost. Our partnership will match your wisdom and experience with the coaching process. I offer my coaching in 3 ways:
1.Individual Coaching
2.Primary Wellness – a customizable program based upon the foundational pillars of Wellbeing. This program will guide you towards reclaiming your primary status, creating sustainable strategies for your overall happiness and wellbeing.
3.Group Coaching – a customized package and content available for groups of 3 or more.

Are you ready to begin your journey to becoming your own Primary Caregiver? Download the Self Care & Wellness Assessment.
How did you score? A majority of 1, 2, or 3’s? You would likely greatly benefit from coaching! The only thing left to consider is our Chemistry. We need to be comfortable, trust each other, and feel like we can be open and honest. CONTACT ME to set up our complimentary 20-minute Chemistry Session!
If you scored 4 or 5 for a majority of the questions, you are already on the right track, Bravo! Feel free to CONTACT ME to set up a complimentary 20-minute Discovery Session anytime!