Peddling Hope

11/21/2025

With the holidays right around the corner, I want to remind you that it’s okay to set boundaries. In fact, setting some personal boundaries can make the season of traditions and togetherness easier to handle for those who have a hard time saying no or prioritizing themselves.

It's Okay to Say No. Remember, you don't have to attend every event or fulfill every request. It's perfectly fine to decline invitations or tasks if they feel overwhelming.

Here’s how you can make setting boundaries easier:

Communicate Clearly: Let your loved ones know your comfort levels and what you can reasonably handle. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings.

Prioritize Self-Care: Amidst the hustle and bustle, make time for yourself. Whether it's a quiet reading hour, a relaxing bath, or a walk.

Balance is Key: Try to find a balance between social obligations and personal time. Overcommitting can lead to burnout, so it's important to gauge your personal capacity.

Digital Boundaries: Don't forget about digital space! If social media becomes overwhelming, it's okay to take a break or limit your screen time.

Setting boundaries may feel like distancing yourself during a time that is supposed to be about ‘togetherness’ but it’s important to respect your limits and encourage those around you to do the same.

Share your thoughts and tips on setting boundaries during the holidays in the comments!

11/18/2025

If gift-giving is part of your holiday traditions, perhaps this year can focus on meaningful, personal and handmade gifts.

We don’t go in big for gifts in my family, so things from the heart help us feel seen and understood.

Think about the person you love and go from there. How well do you know the people you’re buying for? It can be the first step to knowing what to buy.

Special gifts make special memories.

This month’s blog post is focused on how to turn low- or no-spend gifts into memorable experiences with those you love.

If gift-giving is part of your holiday traditions, perhaps this year can focus on meaningful, personal and handmade gifts. We don’t go in big for gifts in my family, so things from the heart help us feel seen and understood. Think about the person you love and go from there. How well do you kn

11/16/2025

This Self-Care Sunday, I want to share a simple yet powerful tool to help you stay grounded and present. It's called the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique, and it's a mindfulness practice that can be done anywhere, anytime.

First, find 5 things you can SEE: Look around you and notice 5 things you haven't noticed before.

Identify 4 things you can TOUCH: Feel the texture of your clothes, the surface you are sitting on, the air on your skin, or any other object within reach.

Notice 3 things you can HEAR: Pay attention to the sounds in the background that you might usually ignore. It could be the hum of your fridge, birds chirping outside, or distant traffic.

Recognize 2 things you can SMELL: Maybe you can smell something inside like a candle or food, or perhaps you can step outside to get a whiff of fresh air or nature.

Acknowledge 1 thing you can TASTE: Take a sip of a drink, chew gum, eat something, or simply notice the current taste in your mouth.

This is a fantastic way to bring your focus back to the present moment and anchor yourself in your surroundings. It's especially helpful in managing anxiety, panic attacks, or just when you need a moment to reset your mind.

11/14/2025

You are life experiencing itself through you.

11/11/2025

Lest We Forget.

10/28/2025

Growth doesn’t mean the trauma disappears. It just means you begin to see life differently. Perspective is everything.

One of the domains of post-traumatic growth is Appreciation for Life. When we’ve lived through something painful, our perspective shifts.

We may find ourselves noticing the small, ordinary moments that once slipped by unnoticed, like morning coffee with a friend, a laugh that lightens the day, the comfort of simply being present.

These reminders don’t erase the past. But they can help us feel more grounded as we move forward.

💛 What’s one small thing today that feels worth appreciating?

10/26/2025

We often extend compassion so easily to others by offering a listening ear, a warm hug, or simple words of encouragement.

But when it comes to ourselves, we can be far less generous.

This week, I invite you to pause and reflect. To practice tending and befriending your own heart the way you would a dear friend’s.

Journal Prompt: If you were your own best friend, what support would you offer yourself right now?

Write freely and notice what surfaces when you shift from self-criticism to self-compassion. Sometimes the gentlest words we’ve been waiting for are the ones only we can give ourselves.

10/24/2025

We often think of mental health as separate from physical health, but they are deeply connected. Your body is always sending you signals, long before things reach a breaking point.

It’s sort of like the ‘check engine’ light in your car. Your body is telling you something is wrong long before you become fully burned out.

That ache in your gut may be telling you something isn’t sitting right. The flutter in your chest might mean you need more space to breathe. A tight throat may be your body’s way of saying, you have something important to share.

This week, try tuning in. Take 2–3 minutes to pause, close your eyes, and simply ask: What is my body trying to tell me right now?

The answer may surprise you. And listening early can save you from bigger struggles later.

10/21/2025

Building Resilience is just like building muscle or conditioning your body for a sport. It's about building the strength to thrive in any situation.

Resilience is a set of skills that can be broken down into the 7 Cs of Resilience:
💪 Competence – Develop skills through real-life challenges.
💡 Confidence – Build self-awareness and trust in your abilities.
👥 Connection – Strengthen your support network.
💖 Character – Live by your core values.
🌍 Contribution – Discover how YOU can make a difference.
🌿 Coping – Practice healthy habits to manage stress.
🎯 Control – Focus on what you can control, not what you can’t.

The concept of the 7 Cs of Resilience comes from Dr. Ken Ginsburg, a pediatrician who specializes in Adolescent Medicine. He works with youth facing incredible challenges, and his model highlights seven key areas that help people build resilience and manage adversity.

Which of the 7 Cs do you already feel strong in? Take some time to reflect on how these skills show up in your life.

10/19/2025

Building resilience is a lot like training for a marathon. You don’t suddenly decide to pull on a pair of shoes and run 26 miles on your first day!

You start small by running a mile, then two, and then gradually increasing your distance as you feel more comfortable and able. Along the way, you hit obstacles, but each challenge builds your strength until you're running further than you ever thought you would.

Resilience works the same way. It’s not built in one grand moment but through small, consistent actions over time. Each time you face a difficulty and push through, you're strengthening your resilience muscle.

This Self Care Sunday, try creating your own Small Win Journal.
- Grab a notebook or open a notes app on your phone.
- Write down ONE small win or challenge you overcame this past week. It could be anything from getting out of bed when you didn’t feel like it to having that tough conversation you were avoiding.
- Reflect on how that small win made you feel. Did it build your confidence? Help you feel more in control?

By recognizing your wins, no matter how small, you train yourself to see your own strength. Keep adding to your journal each week, and watch your resilience grow.

10/15/2025

Saying “no” isn’t selfish, as much as it might feel like it is.

Every time you honour your limits, you protect your energy and give your body a chance to regulate itself, so you can actually give more of yourself because you’re fully charged.

If you struggle with how to say no without guilt, here are a few scripts you can lean on:

“I’ve had a full week and need to rest. Can we plan for another time?”
“I’d love to join, but I need a quiet evening at home.”
“Thank you for thinking of me. I’m not available right now, but I’d like to connect soon.”

Boundaries don’t push people away, they just help you stay well enough to show up with more presence and care when you do say yes.

10/12/2025

Your body knows what you need at any given time. And it asks for you to slow down and take care of yourself long before you burn out.

For this Sunday Self-care, let’s pause and listen.

Ask yourself: How is my body telling me it needs care right now? Is it physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual? Maybe all four.

A gentle way to explore is with micro-actions:
- Physical: stretch for a few minutes, sip water, step outside.
- Mental: write down one swirling thought to get it out of your head.
- Emotional: text someone you trust or give yourself permission to rest.
- Spiritual: pause for gratitude, prayer, or quiet connection in nature.

These don’t have to be big shifts. Small acts of care, practiced daily, remind your nervous system you are safe, supported, and valued.

Today, choose one micro-action in each area. Notice how your energy responds.