I’ve always had a strong sense of identity. Once depression took hold, however, it destroyed my confidence and with it, my sense of self.
Reflections at 40 – Better – 19/40
Unconditional love from family and friends gave me a safe place from which to take two steps forward, one step back, one step sideways.
Straight and Curly 73: Saying No
Carly and Kelly are both dedicated people pleasers so saying ‘No’ is something that’s never come naturally to them.
Reflections at 40 – Saying No – 18/40
Of course, I never said a flat out ‘No’ to someone’s face. That was a step too far for me, someone who was addicted to people-pleasing.
Reflections at 40 – Permission – 17/40
Why is it that we need to get permission to do the things we know we need to do? Is it because they always involve disappointing someone?
Reflections at 40 – Help – 16/40
I thought it was arrogant and unrealistic of me to want the achieving without wanting to pay the price everyone else was paying.
Reflections at 40 – Stories – 15/40
Telling ourselves we’re ‘great’, or ‘doing a good job’, or daring to articulate the big dreams we have goes against much of our social programming.
Reflections at 40 – Sabotage – 14/40
When it comes to change, it’s easy to see self-sabotage and regression as the same thing because they lead to the same place.
Reflections at 40 – Regression – 13/40
It was tough to live. For those who loved me it was frustrating to watch. And I beat myself up mercilessly for every regression.
Reflections at 40 – Values – 12/40
Whenever I find myself struggling and going into what I call ‘grasping’ mode, I know it’s time to check in with my values.
Straight and Curly 72: Waking up early
If you’re someone who WANTS to get up early but struggles to get out of bed, the Straight and Curly Facebook group has some amazing advice for you!
Reflections at 40 – Magic Bullets – 11/40
Whenever I’m really struggling, I go searching for magic bullets and secret sauces. I become convinced there’s ‘one thing’ that’s just going to ‘change everything’
Let It Be 69: Ask Us Anything
After putting a callout in the Facebook group, we were inundated with a whole heap of excellent questions – some of which leave us …
Reflections at 40 – Therapy – 10/40
I knew how much work lay ahead of me in terms of getting better, and, frankly, I was terrified of what that work looked like.
Reflections at 40 – Rock Bottom – 9/40
I just couldn’t see how or when things were going to get ‘better’, and it occurred to me that it would be easier for everyone if I was gone.
Reflections at 40 – Resilience – 8/40
My husband knew I was stressed, depressed and distant, and did what he could to help. But the fact was, I didn’t want help.
Reflections at 40 – Babies – 7/40
Confronted by heaving sobs upon his confirmation, my doctor was bewildered, ‘What’s so awful about being pregnant right now?’
Reflections at 40 – Choices – 6/40
When you’re someone who bases their self-worth on hearing people say, “Wow, you’re amazing” a lot of choices are swept off the table.
Reflections at 40 – Coping – 5/40
Call it ‘diversifying your gold star portfolio’. If you’re performing poorly in one area of your life, no worries, you can ramp up another two. Or ten.
Straight and Curly 71: Perfectionism
What even is perfectionism? Well, if you hold yourself to high standards and get frustrated when you’re not able to achieve those standards, then it’s likely you have perfectionist tendencies.
Reflections at 40 – Regret – 4/40
I’m not one for acting or speaking rashly. Which is why, when I look back on the past 40 years, there are only two things I genuinely regret.