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Keeping it Together | WISDOM AND TIPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND WHATEVER LIFE THROWS AT US | Saturday, August 21 | | |
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| It's been another long, difficult week of sad news around the world and growing worries about the pandemic. |
| In last weekend's newsletter, I talked about the power of focusing on what you can control in order to help calm anxiety. But what if you're looking get a bit more of a boost? |
| Writing to-do lists is a great way to feel in control and get organized, but taking that next step to actually cross something off the list feels even better. |
| So instead of just making a to do list, I challenge you to do something – just one thing. |
| Starting is often the hardest part and a long list of errands and chores can feel overwhelming – trust me, I know. So instead of setting your expectation to get everything done in a day, just start small. |
| That doctor's appointment you've been meaning to schedule but have been putting off? Just get it done. In reality, it shouldn't take that long but you'll feel so good for getting it off your mind. |
| Plus, getting just one thing done can help spark motivation for more. So, if you're feeling up to it, keep the momentum going! |
| Whether you get your whole to-do list done this weekend or just cross off one thing, be proud of that accomplishment! And hopefully this strategy can help anyone who is also struggling to find the energy and focus to get things done. |
| On a different note, I'm working on a story about the complications of holiday planning with family members who are unvaccinated. Are you already running into awkward conversations or difficulties with your holiday plans? Are you dreading the holiday season because of it? If so, I'd love to speak to you! If you're interested, please email smoniuszko@gannett.com. |
How to handle hateful comments |
| "I receive my fair share of critical feedback," writes Sara Kuburic, who is better-known online as The Millennial Therapist. |
| "Although I am largely surrounded by a supportive community, messages still slide into my DMs and inbox that genuinely upset me. When that happens, it can feel difficult to show up publicly and make myself vulnerable to people's projections, misunderstandings and unrealistic expectations. |
| But there are ways to make it easier. |
| So, if you're encountering critical feedback or online vitriol, here are some tips that can help: |
| Take a deep breath and observe triggers |
| Acknowledge if you are being triggered by the feedback you are receiving. If so, it could be helpful to take a step back. A centered state of mind can make engaging further with the feedback or attempting to reach a solution more productive. |
| Assess whether there is any truth to what they are saying |
| This step is difficult, but it's helpful to put yourself in your critic's position as much as possible (despite the negative context) and evaluate if there is any aspect of the feedback that can help you grow. Of course, not all feedback is constructive. |
| Run it by the people you trust |
| Sharing negative feedback with people we trust can help us understand the criticism in ways we may have missed. Friends and family are likely to assure us that the criticism is unfounded, but they can also encourage us to accept responsibility for any shortcomings or problems that might exist." |
| To read the full list of Sara's tips, click here. |
 | | Upset person staring at smartphone screen. | | Getty Images | |
Today's reads |
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 | | Physically, recess is often the only time of day that children have unstructured time for physical exercise and activity. | | Playworks | |
Today's pet |
| Meet Jake. |
 | | Jake + box = BFFs | | Courtesy of Karen Bovard | |
| Jake is a 2-year-old Maine Coon cat, writes Karen Bovard. And based on the photo, we're going to venture a guess that he enjoys a quality box. |
| Thanks for reading! Remember you can send pet photos, coping tips and anything else to our email. |
| Wishing you all the best, |
| Sara Moniuszko |
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