When I took my Pilates certification course, I was 20 years old. I was the second youngest of the 30 women there, but that had little to do with my anxiety when I got assessed. I was always a self-conscious person. Constantly second-guessing myself, an incessant voice in my head telling me what I was … Continue reading Less Self-Conscious About Being Self-Conscious
Author: Gila Daman
Latest release: Inner Piece: Decluttering a Soul. Also by Gila: Pandemic Poetry, She Pooped, I'm Pooped!: Motherhood Year One, First Comes Self-Love, Then Comes Marriage, and The Roadmap Ends Here: Entering Adulthood.
Self-Acceptance: Seeing Yourself in a Realistic Light
Continuing thoughts from last Friday's post, another reason why I'm not great with constructive criticism is that I always feel like I am getting graded. I was always concerned about my grades in school. I wasn't the best in all the subjects, but I had straight As in math/science/Jewish classes which upped my GPA from … Continue reading Self-Acceptance: Seeing Yourself in a Realistic Light
Arm Circles Around the Pool: Like Father, Like Daughter
Doing arm circles around the pool today, I remembered how my dad did that after swimming laps too. I'm grateful I have so many fond memories of my dad—that he was the kind of person who lives on in others and inspires them. Losing a parent is horrible, but having the deepest of pride for … Continue reading Arm Circles Around the Pool: Like Father, Like Daughter
Creative Writing Is My Jam
One of the things I like about working in a preschool is being able to use my communication and writings skills. In particular, I enjoy writing a weekly synopsis for the parents of what we did each week. Today, it was suggested that I look over another teacher's weekly summary. I took this very personally. … Continue reading Creative Writing Is My Jam
Stress Management Tips
Stress needs to be managed moment to moment, as well as daily, so it doesn't build up to the point of lashing out. Practicing healthy coping mechanisms for stress throughout the day (e.g. breathing, light stretching, positive affirmations) helps diffuse the stress so it doesn't build up. Doing a mindfulness practice for a few minutes … Continue reading Stress Management Tips
Lessons of Myopia
Often when I do yoga while the kiddoes are napping in the preschool room, I have the following thought: G-d gave me nearsighted vision to remind me NOT to care if others are watching. I can't tell: When I remove my glasses, everyone more than 5-10 feet away looks like a blur to me. The … Continue reading Lessons of Myopia
My Current Work-Momlife Balance
Previously I blogged about reducing my hours at my preschool job and wondering what I would end up doing instead. My intention was to have more downtime: for myself, and my toddler daughter too. And I do—that is, when I'm not training to become a water safety instructor in the evening. I guess I'm not … Continue reading My Current Work-Momlife Balance
Being Busy Can SPARK Creativity—Here’s Why
Whenever I add a new task to my life, I think of what I have to let go of in order to make space for this new task. Often I think that if my schedule is busier I shouldn't be blogging anymore. And yes, I will not be taking as much time to blog, but … Continue reading Being Busy Can SPARK Creativity—Here’s Why
Technology Makes Tasks Easier, But Not the Task of Living in the Moment
Yesterday I deposited a check at the bank and did each step painstakingly to make sure it went through. It's a simple process, but sometimes the simple things are harder for me, since I have issues trusting that things are really supposed to go smoothly. It gives me a sense of control if my hard … Continue reading Technology Makes Tasks Easier, But Not the Task of Living in the Moment
Increased Self-Compassion Breeds Greater Compassion for Others
One day I was driving through the local shopping center, and I thought about how far removed I felt from the person walking in front of the stop sign in which I was stopped. I was ready to continue driving the instant that person cleared the area. Why I myself am a pedestrian I feel … Continue reading Increased Self-Compassion Breeds Greater Compassion for Others
Mindful Nuggets 