Susan Hopkins EdD

12/19/2025

The real measure of a day isn’t how much I accomplished, but whether I stayed aligned with how I wanted to show up.

12/17/2025

When I pause long enough to scan the five domains—biological, emotion, cognitive, social, prosocial - I almost always see what my stress backpack is holding.

12/15/2025

I’ve walked out of meetings drained, certain the problem was the agenda or the people. Sometimes that’s true. But other times, I realize I came in already overloaded, already at a 9 out of 10 on my own stress scale.

Takeaway: Reframe your experience by asking, “What state was I in before I walked into this room?” Our stress lens shapes how heavy something feels.

12/12/2025

When a child mutters, “I don’t care,” or refuses to budge, it’s easy to see defiance.
Takeaway: Reframe the moment by asking, “What stressors, what fear, what overload might be hiding under those words—or that silence? That shift changes my response - and often changes theirs.

12/10/2025

I used to see irritability as being “moody” or “grumpy.” Now I see it as one of the earliest signs that I’m overloaded—too little sleep, too much “peopling”, too many demands.

Takeaway: Next time irritability shows up (in yourself or someone else), instead of judging, treat it as a signal: What needs to be restored here? That’s .

12/09/2025

When we start to look under behaviour, a different story begins to emerge - one about stress, energy, and what it really means to feel safe and seen.

In this beautiful piece, Kasey Edmonds, a Self-Reg Learning Facilitator’s Program alum, shares how becoming a Stress Detective can shift how we see others - and ourselves.

It’s not about fixing behaviour. It’s about understanding what’s happening beneath it, across all five domains of stress: biological, emotion, cognitive, social, and prosocial.

Thank you, Kasey, for reminding us that curiosity changes everything.

What helps you notice stress before it shows up as something else?

Read here: https://self-reg.ca/becoming-a-stress-detective-recognizing-stress-with-self-reg/

Stuart Shanker & Co. The MEHRIT Centre, Ltd.

12/08/2025

I’ve snapped at small things. Gone quiet in meetings. Driven home in tears.
Self-Reg reminder: those aren’t flaws - they’re stress behaviours. When I reframe my own reactions, I can replace guilt with curiosity.

Takeaway: Next time you catch yourself in one of those moments, ask, “What’s in my stress backpack right now?” instead of, “What’s wrong with me?”

12/05/2025

Final few hours 💕

IT'S THE FINAL HOURS OF OUR sale. Shop now 👉 https://self-reg.ca/black-friday/ 🚨🚨🚨🚨

12/05/2025

Our culture rewards pushing harder, but the body reminds us that true resilience is built in the quiet moments of restoration.

12/04/2025

Our Black Friday Self-Reg Learning Sale Ends Tomorrow!

As we head into the final day of this year’s Black Friday Self-Reg Learning Sale, I wanted to offer a soft nudge for anyone who’s been thinking about joining us on a Self-Reg learning journey. There’s still time - the sale wraps up tomorrow, December 5 at midnight EDT.

This year, we’re offering 10–30% off a range of bundles and Winter 2026 facilitated programs. Whether you’re supporting little ones, navigating stress in your personal life, leading a classroom or team, or deepening your understanding of Self-Reg for your own well-being, there may be something here that meets you right where you are.

✨ Bundles for Early Years, Schools, Parents & Caregivers, and Personal learning
✨ Facilitated Programs for Winter 2026, including Foundations, Leadership, EAs, Early Childhood Development, Gray Brain Science & Behaviour, and more
✨ Discounts apply automatically at checkout

If something inside you has been whispering “maybe now,” you’re warmly invited to explore what’s available.

Full details here:
https://self-reg.ca/black-friday/

Sale ends tomorrow - December 5 at midnight EDT.

Check out our fantastic Black Friday deals with 10-30% off Winter Self-Reg Learning. Begin your Self-Reg learning journey today!

12/03/2025

Behaviours that look defiant, avoidant, or careless are often just signs of a nervous system weighed down by its stress backpack.