In today’s fast-paced digital age, the way we consume information can significantly influence our mental and emotional well-being. Have you ever stopped to consider why social media affects you so deeply? The truth is, it’s not just a distraction—it's a reflection of your thoughts, desires, and aspirations. Every scroll, every like, and every share echoes who you are and what you care about. 

The Dopamine Connection

When we engage with social media, we’re often met with a flood of dopamine—a chemical that plays a major role in pleasure and motivation. Each notification, each new post, can send a rush of this feel-good hormone coursing through our veins. But what if we could harness this mechanism for good? What if we could tailor our digital experiences to create a positive feedback loop that aligns with our goals and enhances our wellness?

Crafting Your Digital Vision Board

Imagine transforming your digital landscape into a powerful vision board. You have the ability to curate what you see, hear, and engage with online. By doing so, you can create an environment that not only reflects your aspirations but also propels you toward them. Here’s how you can start:

1. Follow the Right Mentors: Seek out content creators and mentors who embody the success and lifestyle you aspire to. Whether it’s in health, business, or personal development, surround yourself with voices that inspire you to grow. Their journeys can provide you with the insights and motivation you need to pursue your own goals.

2. Be Selective with Subscriptions: Just as you would with a physical vision board, be intentional about what you subscribe to. Unfollow accounts that drain your energy or promote negativity. Instead, fill your feed with uplifting content that aligns with your vision for the future.

3. Curate Your Shopping Habits: Shopping is not just about acquiring possessions; it’s a reflection of your values and aspirations. Choose to invest in items that resonate with your goals and enhance your quality of life. Whether it’s a book on personal development or a workout program, let your purchases reflect your commitment to your future self.

4. Engage with Your Tribe: Community matters. Connect with like-minded individuals who support your journey. Engage in discussions, share experiences, and uplift one another. This sense of belonging can significantly impact your mental wellness and keep you motivated.

The Power of Intentional Consumption

Changing what you feed your mind can lead to quick and profound results. By curating your digital environment, you create a space where positivity and growth flourish. Algorithms can work in your favor; they can be your allies in this journey if you train them to reflect your true desires. 

The more you engage with the content that resonates with your goals, the more similar content will appear. This creates a feedback loop of positive reinforcement that can keep you focused on your path to success.

Conclusion: Your Future Awaits

In a world where digital experiences shape our realities, it’s time to take control of your narrative. A digital vision board can serve as a powerful tool for alignment between your goals and your wellness. By mindfully curating your online interactions, you can create a supportive ecosystem that propels you toward the life you envision.

So, take a moment to reflect on your digital footprint. Are you feeding your mind with the right content? Are you surrounding yourself with influences that uplift you? If not, it’s time to make a change. Empower yourself to create a digital environment that embodies your aspirations, and watch as your reality begins to transform. Your future self is waiting—let’s make sure you’re ready for it!

Embracing Freedom: Reflections on Love and Self-Discovery This Valentine’s Day

Yesterday marked Valentine’s Day, a day often filled with heart-shaped everything and an onslaught of Hallmark-inspired messages. As I navigated through the sea of pink and red, I found myself reflecting on my own journey—a journey that has led me to a profound sense of excitement about the future, fueled by my newfound freedom.

My relationship with love has always been complex. Growing up as the only divorced, non-practicing Catholic in a family where my parents celebrated 65 years of marriage, I often felt like an outlier. For years, I struggled to understand my feelings towards relationships. While many find comfort and stability in monogamy, I began to see it as a potential limitation. Now, I fully acknowledge that this perspective isn’t universal—many thrive in committed partnerships, and that’s perfectly okay. However, for me, envisioning a future with just one person often felt like peering into a narrowing tunnel, closing in around us both.

Love is a deep, multifaceted emotion for me, and I often find myself contemplating what’s best not just for me, but for my partner as well. I’ve come to realize that being in a long-term relationship sometimes dulled my spirit. I didn’t like the person I became; I felt stagnant and uninspired. Through deep contemplation, I discovered that I could create a vision for my life—one filled with happiness, success, and peace—by embracing the freedom of choice.

Now, I treat every day like a spa day, prioritizing my well-being in every way possible. I listen to my body, mind, and spirit, responding to their needs with care. I surround myself with beauty—objects, experiences, and people that resonate with my soul. I’ve dedicated time to studying and improving every aspect of my life, from nutrition and fitness to mindfulness and relationships. Tracking my progress has become a source of joy and motivation.

Setting boundaries has also become essential. I’ve learned to be selective about where I invest my energy, ensuring that it aligns with my values and aspirations. This intentional approach to life has transformed my perspective on love and relationships. I’m no longer confined by societal expectations or norms; instead, I’m free to explore what brings me genuine fulfillment.

So, as I reflect on this Valentine’s Day, I celebrate not just romantic love but the love I have for myself and the life I’m creating. It’s a life filled with possibilities, where I have the freedom to choose my path and embrace the beauty that surrounds me. Here’s to the journey of self-discovery, and to finding joy in every moment!

After years of navigating relationships without a clear strategy, I've decided to take a more intentional approach. After a decade of marriage, 18 years of supporting a recovering alcoholic husband and dealing with active alcoholics, therapy sessions, single parenting, and two decades of dating, I've reached a profound realization: relationships aren't about the other person; they're about us. This truth, while not particularly romantic or idealistic, is fundamental. We tend to attract individuals who highlight our own challenging traits.

This phenomenon can be understood through the IMAGO concept, which suggests: "What we unconsciously attract in a partner embodies both the positive and negative traits of our parents that impacted (triggers) us the most."

With this in mind, I reflected on my parents. My father was charming, handsome, fun, aloof, and often emotionally unavailable. My mother was brilliant, controlling, unpredictable, and carried a poverty mindset and victim mentality. Unsurprisingly, I found myself drawn to men who embodied these same characteristics: handsome, charming, fun, aloof, brilliant, controlling, and unpredictable. The key phrase here is "that triggered you most." In my case, I was particularly attracted to charming and controlling types. If you haven't experienced this combination, I wouldn't recommend it. However, it certainly shed light on many of my past relationships.

Moreover, we often attract partners who reflect the qualities we need to develop within ourselves. For me, this meant confronting my struggles with confidence, my desire for validation, and my ability to manage my emotions. Recognizing these patterns has been a crucial step in my journey toward healthier relationships.  So, consider this theory the next time you are confused about your choices in relationships.  It has nothing to do with them and everything to do with you.

I've always had a keen interest in healthy habits, but when a chronic issue unexpectedly struck, my concern deepened. After my annual thermogram, I was informed that there was significant inflammation in my left jaw. Weeks later, I began to experience pain that seemed to migrate—first to my throat and what felt like my lymph nodes, and then to my left arm, which developed strange pain. I found myself relying on Motrin constantly; it alleviated the pain but only heightened my anxiety. This all unfolded before the onset of COVID-19, so I couldn't attribute my troubles to that.

I knew something was seriously wrong with my body. Then, as the pandemic unfolded, my health took a further hit. I faced the devastating loss of my business, my father passed away, and I found myself quarantined with the wrong guy. In a moment of weakness, I started smoking again after 26 years of abstinence. My health was plummeting.

In a desperate attempt to understand my condition, I underwent a series of tests: CT scans, MRIs, blood work, additional thermograms, and evaluations of my heart, lungs, and bones. The final straw was a visit to an ENT specialist to check for throat cancer, a diagnosis I had convinced myself I probably had. After two long years of uncertainty, I received the shocking news: there was absolutely nothing physically wrong with me. 

Frustrated yet determined, I decided to take control of my health. Regardless of any diagnosis, I knew I needed to make changes. I had been a vegetarian for 20 years and regularly juiced, but I realized I needed to elevate my commitment to health in every aspect of my life. One by one, I addressed the issues that had been weighing me down—from nutrition and finances to relationships and how I spent my energy on daily activities. 

Maintaining my workout routine was crucial; exercise provided me with the endorphin rush that kept me going. The first area I tackled was my finances. I was broke and on the verge of losing my home. The thought of living in a Prius was daunting, especially since I had my beloved Golden Retriever to consider. Losing him would have felt like rock bottom for me. His presence motivated me to take action.

I accepted a job at $11 an hour working the front desk of a hotel, a far cry from my previous role as a Director of Sales for Marriott. During the height of COVID, they assured me I would transition back into sales when business picked up. I was getting up at 5 a.m. to drive 40 minutes for this humbling role, and while it was tough, I turned to hardcore motivational videos to keep my spirits up during my commute and throughout the day.

After eight grueling months, I reached my breaking point and walked out. The job was taking a toll on my health, and I knew I had to act on faith. Within two months, I secured a much higher-paying position as a Director of Sales for Marriott once again—one that allowed me to breathe and thrive.  From there I started a health coaching business to help others navigate their unknown chronic conditions.

This journey has taught me that even in the darkest times, resilience and determination can lead to renewal. By embracing change and taking control of my health and circumstances, I’ve not only found my footing again but also rediscovered my passion for life.

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