The sadness began to dominate, the phobias started to prevail, and a sense of helplessness in my environment set in. Usually people with anxiety disorders hide it well, although in their minds they think everyone can tell. The fear of everyone looking at them when near other people is overwhelming. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older (18% of U.S. population). Anxiety disorders dev

Why Doctors Are Rethinking Decongestants — And How I Broke My Nasal Spray Dependence I didn’t expect to find myself in the ER wondering whether I was having a stroke — or something even worse — all because of a simple nasal spray. For the last eight months, starting last May, that tiny bottle lived in my pocket, purse, nightstand, and car. Anytime my nasal passages even hinted  at rebellion, I panicked. Nothing hijacks your peace like that suffocating, can’t-breathe congestio

Ten Books That Stuck With Me Through the Years: A Reader’s List Self-help books are everywhere — on shelves, in podcasts, and in our social feeds. But which ones actually make a difference? After years of reading, exploring, and sometimes rolling my eyes at overhyped advice, I’ve compiled 10 books that truly stayed with me . These are the books I would actually recommend to someone feeling stuck, lost, or unsure how to move forward in life. A reminder:  Self-help books aren’t

This episode was easier to do than I anticipated—filled with stories about my vagina (AI rant not included). At first, I thought it would be fun to use AI to generate a title for this episode. According to AI, my vagina is a “sensitive subject” and it offered no suggestions. When I tried again for the blog, it flagged my vagina as “offensive content.” With everything out there, how is the word vagina  offensive? Love your body How My Lady Bits Made It Through It All: Love You

I knew I could do it, well, I know now! Season 2 Episode 4: Holy crap I did a photo shoot! Is That Really Me? So, there I was — 55, standing in front of a camera, wearing lingerie I hadn’t touched in years. Was it crazy? Absolutely not. Was it terrifying? Oh, yes. But also… exhilarating, empowering, and honestly, life-affirming. Sharing my photos with a few people, I realized: this experience wasn’t just about pictures. It was about reclaiming my body, my confidence, and my j

Toss the Negative Thoughts Away Take all the negative thoughts about yourself and throw them out. Seriously — you don’t need that crap anymore. I often wonder how young people navigate the constant noise of social media, advertising, and society while trying to maintain a positive self-image. Back in the 80s, it was hard enough. I struggled with comparing myself to models and celebrities — wondering if anyone would ever see me as enough . When Self-Image Is Tested In my late

Thirty. Flirty. And Thriving.... I wish. We all know the mantra from 13 going on 30. But what they don't mention is that as your 30th birthday approaches you are actually thinking: "Thirty, Hurty & Crying". Its about this time that it hits you that this is life, you are NEVER going to figure it out, no-one ever has. While no-one seems to have figured out the secret to life, we have found many ways to work on self-care and self-growth so that we may actually enjoy this planet

What We Don’t Owe Anyone Being shamed, guilt-tripped, or emotionally manipulated does not create debt . Holding someone emotionally hostage to force them to act—or act the way you think they should—is not a thing . You and I owe nothing  when it comes to emotional currency. Not our time, not our energy, and certainly not our peace. This episode reflects on life lessons that sneaked into a current situation, reminding me (and you) that: “You do you, and I will do me.” …isn’t j

The Red Heel Revelation: Escaping the Trap of Self-Sabotage The answer to self-sabotage is… not to self-sabotage yourself . Sounds simple, right? Years of research, hundreds of dollars on self-help books, and countless motivational audiobooks led me to that mind-blowing revelation. I could’ve saved myself a fortune if I’d just slipped on those red heels  sooner. (Okay, I said six inches on the podcast, but let’s be real—three inches feels like six when it’s me. 😉) Recognizin

Her wheelchair didn’t fit easily between the table and the kitchen island. I finished helping her get ready for the day — the same routine we’d shared for months — brushing her hair, fixing her breakfast, and making sure the morning ran as smoothly as possible. That day, though, I was bursting with excitement. I had something to show her. The Mango. My new car.Bright. Bold. Orange. I couldn’t believe that I  — the woman who hated attention and proudly claimed the title of “in

Kindness. It’s one of those words that gets tossed around like confetti — beautiful, well-meaning, but often forgotten when it comes to the person in the mirror. You determine kindness’s meaning. It’s how you  choose to show it. Kindness can be empathy, acceptance, kind gestures, or thoughtfulness. The possibilities are endless — and entirely yours. We usually think of kindness as something we give  to others. A smile. A helping hand. A “you’ve got this” text to a friend. But

The Lotion Hoard: Finding Joy in Using What You Have I think I’ve always had a stockpile of lotions tucked away in a cabinet somewhere, but lately… it’s borderline obscene. Every time I open a drawer or peek into a shelf, I see rows upon rows of bottles—body lotions, face creams, and specialty potions for every conceivable part of me. The funny thing? It takes forever to finish a single container. And yes, if I tried to gift this collection to someone else, one person couldn’

Boost Your Magnesium the Easy Way Magnesium is essential for our health, but sometimes oral supplements can upset the stomach or just feel inconvenient. The best way to increase your magnesium levels? Through the skin. Our body’s largest organ—the skin—is the perfect route for transdermal magnesium therapy . Products like magnesium oil, gel, lotion, and bath flakes are designed to bypass the gastrointestinal tract, delivering magnesium directly into your cells for rapid absor

Creating a healthier lifestyle is not about quick fixes or temporary changes—it’s about building habits and practices that last a lifetime. A personalized plan for health, fitness, and wellness should be tailored to your unique needs, goals, and capabilities. Here are 10 essential steps to help you make meaningful changes, track progress, and embrace a healthier life: 1. Know Your Numbers Start by understanding your baseline: weight goals, fitness levels, workout frequency, a

We’ve all heard the jokes—men worrying about baldness, women stressing over jeans that don’t fit just right. But when it comes to advice about self-confidence, awareness, and body image, most resources are directed at women. So, what about men? Would the same guidance help them? Do men need their own pep talks, or can the same principles apply to everyone? Facing Fears and Body Image Challenges One key to improving self-image is facing your fears and talking about them . Body

Sitting still for 20 minutes has never been easy for me—but podcasts and audiobooks make it a lot more enjoyable. And now, adding Legs Up the Wall  to my routine has become a favorite way to relax and rejuvenate. This simple inversion pose—also known as Viparita Karani —is easy to do at home and provides multiple benefits. Lying on your back with your legs resting vertically against a wall may feel like “exercise” for the body in a totally different way: restorative and heali

Healthy Libido – How to Keep Your Sexual Drive Thriving Everyone—yes, everyone—loses their libido at some point. For some, it’s fleeting; for others, it lingers longer. The libido often knows its own rhythm—it signals what it wants and when it’s ready. What is Libido? Definition: Plural: libidos Meaning: 1) instinctual psychic energy from primitive biological urges, expressed in conscious activity; 2) sexual drive Much like appetite, libido responds to signals, hormones, and

Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could step out of the shower and come out a few pounds lighter? Just imagine washing all that pizza away! The truth is, excess weight isn’t always fat . Have you noticed that when starting a diet, the first five pounds seem to melt away faster than the rest? That’s often water weight . When your body feels puffy or squishy, it may be holding onto fluids. Why Water Matters Water is an essential nutrient —we need it to sustain life. Depending on age

Let’s be honest — “self-possession” sounds like something out of a ghost show. I know, I thought spirits possessed me too. 👻 But no, this kind of possession is about something far more empowering — it’s the ability to control your behavior, emotions, and responses  no matter what’s happening around you. It’s self-command , willpower , and that grounded sense of “I got this” that nobody can take away. And in a world where every post, email, and commercial tells you to love yo

Depression is one of those topics that’s difficult to put into words. It’s easier to stay at a distance, to nod along to the conversation without fully engaging. Awareness is the first step, but how do we make it personal? How do we talk about our own depression ? Recording my latest podcast episode was surprisingly easy. Speaking into a microphone about my experiences felt natural. But publishing it? That’s when the real anxiety hit. Sharing your inner world invites opinions