ARTICLES - Page 49 of 166

#WorldMentalHealthDay: My 2001 Story

Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay. Yesterday, this is what mental health and self-care looked like for me. I was finalizing my Global TV script, blogging for WomenOnTheFence and making last night’s yoga playlist (hello A Star Is Born) outside at a café on a warm and sunny Montreal day. Sipping green tea (cuz we know that green tea is an antioxidant with a lot of health benefits).

Let’s not forget 1 in 4 will experience mental health struggles at one point in their lives. On World Mental Health Day, let’s talk about what keeps us well (ex: social connection, movement, restorative sleep, medication if necessary), and let’s talk (either out loud or to a loved one) when we’re not feeling so well.

Help is out there. I know, because I needed it in 2001 when I teetered on burnout.

This is that story.

Let’s Meet, Montreal!

Good things come in threes, so I wanted to share three opportunities for us to hug it out in the upcoming weeks. You know I’m a hugger, so let’s do it.

Let’s hang.

You Do You, Boo

Let’s think of this as your Wordless Wednesday (so I’ll keep it short). Or your Wisdom Wednesday. Or your Wake Up Wednesday.

Definition ‘ You Do You, Boo’ Urban Dictionary: When a person wants to do something that will cause them to be judged but they do it anyway. “Joanne wants to wear her hair in pigtails but she is getting weird looks from her classmates but her friend Ella likes them and says “you do you boo.”

It’s easy to get caught up looking at other people’s gardens, or lifestyles, or followers, and compare it to yours. Your homework on this Hump Day is to do you, boo.

Do your thing, do it well, enjoy it, be crazy and wild while you do it, and stop giving a shit about what others are doing.

You do you, boo.

JOMO Is The New FOMO!

WE’VE HEARD OF FOMO, BUT WHAT IS JOMO? IT’S THE JOY (NOT THE FEAR) OF MISSING OUT AND MANY ARE SAYING JOMO IS THE NEW FOMO!

Before Snapchat and Instagram, we had to use our imaginations to dream up all the cool things our friends were out doing. Or better yet, we didn’t even know we weren’t invited to the party! But now, thanks to social media, we actually have the cold hard proof of the incredible lives people are living (or so it looks that way), hence giving us FOMO. Now we actually get to SEE what we are missing out on – and that can feel pretty shitty for kids AND adults alike.

The average teenager spends around six hours a day refreshing their social media feeds and the average adult spends about four.

YUP, LET THAT SOAK IN. OR SINK IN. WHAT’S THE CORRECT EXPRESSION?

The fabulous times people are having is being shoved down our throats… by ourselves.

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: HADRY Donates Over 500 Fashions Scarves To Susan G. Komen

October is Breast Cancer Awareness and Prevention month. You may have read about my own personal breast cancer scare a few years ago, but one thing is for certain… breast cancer affects us all. If you look around, chances are someone you know or love is fighting a tough battle.

I speak a lot about women of action around here. When I learned about Nancy Brinker years ago, I knew I had to help. Besides donating money to her organization, I became fascinated with sharing her story with my readers.

To appreciate her, is to know that story.

Let me first tell you a bit about her charity, Susan G. Komen.

Forgiveness

Tomorrow is a day known to Jewish people as Yom Kippur- the holiest, most religious day of the year. Tonight kicks off the day where we repent our sins, and ask G-d for forgiveness. Tomorrow is also a day of fasting. (Confession here- I’m not that strong in the fasting department).

Tomorrow night will mark my favorite synagogue service of the year. We will stand for one hour at a service called Nilah. Nilah marks the end of the 24 hour Yom Kippur fast. It is a very special hour (which I will miss because I am hosting 14 people at my house for the break fast), but what resonates for me, is the symbolism of Nilah. I think it very much parallels life. After you have fasted for 24 hours, it is customary at the Nilah service to stand the entire last hour when you are hungry, tired and dizzy. It is the ultimate test of your endurance. To be able to stand when you think you cannot.

This reminds me so much of womanhood, and our strength and endurance to go the distance in life. Women are the true definition of resilience and fortitude. We fight for what’s right. We go without so that our children won’t have to. We hide our tears to protect our loved ones. We are strength in the face of adversity. Eleanor Roosevelt said it best– Women are like teabags. We don’t know our true strength until we are in hot water.

WomenOnTheFence.com Celebrates Its 9th Blogiversary and a Rebranded Erica-Diamond.com!

9 years ago yesterday, I became a blogger. I really didn’t know what a blogger was, just that it would be the place I would try and get unstuck and off the fence, and so would you. I was working shit out at the time, and writing seemed to be a way to process it and work through it. We would vent, and help each other, and share our disappointments and frustrations. We would cheer each other on, and support one another. We would also listen to other stories of people who have overcome too. We believed vulnerability is strength, not weakness. And it changed my life.

I no longer write about my children because when the diaper and poop and bottle phase ended and real life took over, it suddenly felt like a betrayal of their privacy. But we have grown and evolved as a Brand. I’ve had some incredible highs, some life-learning lows, and I wouldn’t change a thing. This women’s lifestyle blog, ‘Real Inspiration for the Modern Woman’ will always be my safe place to work things out.

I LOVE YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE FOR EACH OTHER, AND FOR ME.

WHAT DO I WANT?

Have you ever lost sight of why you started or WHAT YOU ACTUALLY WANT FOR YOURSELF? Do you ever try and gain inspiration and motivation by looking around, and instead, get more confused? Ever feel pulled in a few directions and don’t feel crystal clear on where you’re going and what you’re doing?

I’ve felt that way before.

In the past, I’ve gone through times where I asked myself the question, WHAT DO I REALLT WANT, BECAUSE IT SEEMS I’VE LOST SIGHT.

I think when you feel like this, it’s important to pause. There’s a great saying, “When you’re tired or uninspired, learn to rest, not quit.” I think it’s normal that the routine gets us all after a while and we fall a little flat.

Summer-To-Fall Transitional Fashion with Lisette L

Yes, it’s still warm outside and we’re in full back to school mode, but if you peruse the streets of downtown or the malls in your city, you will see fall fashion making its way into stores everywhere.

I know, I don’t feel ready for fall yet either, but I do love fall fashion!

You might remember that I am the new Brand Ambassador for Lisette L wearing this amazing Canadian fashion brand to work or play, so today, I wanted to give you a little teaser of what’s happening now in summer-to-fall transitional fashion essentials that you might like to wear!

What Women’s Equality Day Means To Me

My boys have all left for golf. I just finished making the beds. I’m sipping coffee, and instead of going to the gym, or for a walk, I really feel like I have something to say today.

So, sitting surrounded by inspirational sayings in my sweet new office and calm space, here goes.

You may or many not know that today is Womens’ Equality Day. To give you a point of reference, this is it:

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