Cultivating Happiness and Wellness: Reflections and Exciting Updates for June

Embracing Joy, Mindfulness, and Growth on the Path to Holistic Well-being

Happy June, friends!

"I slowly learned that being happy comes down to making sure you not only are using all parts of your brain in a balanced way but also connecting your brain and your body." - Wendy Suzuki, PHD - Healthy Brain, Happy Life

As we enter the month of June, I hope this blog post finds you in high spirits. It's the perfect time to reflect on the past month and share some exciting updates with you. Are you ready? Let's dive in!

First of all, allow me to introduce you to the newest member of my family and my daily dose of joy, Alder! Just look at that adorable face!

For more of Alder's adventures and other daily doses of joy and inspiration, follow me on Instagram.

May was an incredible month filled with growth and transformation as I hosted a short group course. Together with my clients, we embarked on a 30-day Happiness Habit journey, and the experience was truly life-changing. Each week, we explored different topics, including the power of journaling, setting intentions, practicing affirmations, and cultivating gratitude, all within the nurturing environment of a small group setting. I've previously shared my personal notes and resources on these topics through newsletters and blog posts.

These practices have profoundly impacted my life, helping me shift my habits and negative thought patterns. And let me tell you, going through this journey alongside a supportive group was even more impactful. Remember, when we're trying to start new habits, having someone by our side increases our chances of success. If you missed out on this small group journey, don't worry! I'll be offering this short course again in the fall.

As a token of appreciation for your support and for being part of my online community, I'd like to share the 30-day Happiness Habit journal I created for my clients during the May course. Feel free to explore these habits and spark positivity in your own life. I'm also eager to hear your thoughts and feedback on it.

Now, let's address an important aspect of our happiness journey. It's crucial to acknowledge that habit-building mindfulness exercises, like the ones we discussed in our four-week Happiness Habit journey, don't guarantee constant happiness. In fact, that's not even the goal. The true aim is to understand how our brains work, recognize our control over our thoughts and emotions, and practice anchoring happiness into our nervous system. Sometimes, other emotions may surface during this process.

Allow me to share a powerful sentence that you can write down and revisit whenever needed:

“Where you bring your attention always determines how you feel." - Dr. Amen You, Happiner

If we focus on loss, we'll feel grief. If we focus on fear, we'll feel afraid. If we focus on gratitude, we'll feel grateful. The secret sauce lies in using our minds to help us rather than hurt us. By intentionally directing our attention, we can shape our emotions and experiences.

For me, May can be a challenging month due to personal reasons. It serves as a reminder of profound sadness and loss. Many of us have these triggers that evoke difficult emotions, such as the loss of a loved one or heartbreak experienced on specific dates. Personally, Mother's Day is always a sensitive time for me as it brings up the pain of infertility and the unfulfilled longing for motherhood. I share this vulnerability to emphasize that working through these emotions takes effort.

To navigate these challenging emotions, I rely on daily reminders, processing my thoughts in my journal, and countering my inner critic with self-affirmations. It's an ongoing practice to remind myself that my worthiness as a person is not defined by motherhood. Treating myself with kindness and compassion, I strive to find joy and abundance even when those feelings are less easily accessible.

Remember, integrating new habits is often easier with the guidance of a coach or therapist. These supportive individuals can assist us in building habits around self-talk, sorting through negative thoughts, and understanding how to suffer less. If you or someone you know could benefit from this guidance, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. As a dual-certified health and life coach with a nursing background, I am dedicated to empowering individuals on their path toward holistic alignment and fulfillment.

I want to express my deep gratitude for your continued support and engagement. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or suggestions for future topics. Let's make June a month filled with growth, joy, and meaningful connections.

Wishing you a vibrant and fulfilling month ahead!

With gratitude, love, and light, Monica