Papa Ganache Project, LLC

11/27/2025

Gratitude. Having a gratitude practice is one small shift that makes a big difference. Refocusing and noticing the small (and big!) things in your life that you value (remember glimmers?!). And that make tiny parts of your day better. The warmth of the sun. The breath of fresh, crisp air when you step outside in the morning. The softness of your dog’s fur. The joy the first bite of a fresh baked cookie. The list goes on.

This Thanksgiving season, PGP has so much gratitude to share and we want to recognize not just the small things that make life glimmer, but also the bigger things … the huge important things …

Graciousness toward our clients, who welcome us into their homes and their lives to help manage a crisis. That is not easy, it can be overwhelming to open your life to us, and we recognize the magnitude of this. We are honored to work with you. We learn so much from every single youth and family we work with. Thank you. Colleagues that entrust us with the families that they work with. Collaborating with likeminded professionals, creating strong teams, to make sure our youth and family's needs are met. Thank you. Our staff who are endlessly devoted to our clients, our agency’s mission, and being the amazing rock stars that they are. Thank you. We wouldn't be PGP without all of you. We are so grateful for you.

10/31/2025

The phrase that Lindsay says to herself many, many times a day.

Self-talk and redirection are helpful when you notice that your attention is wandering and you need to get back to business! A catchy, rhyme makes it easier to remember.

10/30/2025

Be safe, smart, & spooky! Most towns have curfews starting 10/30/25 thru 11/1/25 (hello mischief night). Check your town's social media for the most accurate info.

Adults, know where your kids are and tell them to creep back into the house or they might just turn into a pumpkin! Get them bones back home! (or some other punny dad joke – I’m clearly not great at this).

Anyway, make good choices! Get lots of candy, but maybe don’t eat all of it in one sitting. And brush your teeth!

10/29/2025

The humble agenda. A calendar, a notebook, a fancy shmancy planner, hey even a piece of paper. Writing out your assignments can be a big help to organization and make the difference between kind of sort of remembering that maybe there is an assignment due at some point and knowing what you need to complete and when. It can be a simple, excellent organizational tool.

10/27/2025

Get to bed, buddy! Sleep hygiene has a direct impact on your mood - the quality of your sleep affects how your brain and body functions. When you get good sleep, your brain processes emotions and stress more effectively, while poor sleep can lead to irritability, mood swings, and heightened stress. Let’s set you up for well rested greatness!

Improves emotional regulation: A good night’s sleep helps balance the chemicals in your brain, like serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood. When you're well-rested, you're better able to handle stress and deal with emotional ups and downs.

Reduces irritability: If you're sleep-deprived, you’re more likely to feel frustrated or irritable over small things. Poor sleep can make your brain less effective at coping with challenges, leading to negative emotions.

Boosts resilience to stress: Sleep hygiene helps you handle stress better. When you don't sleep well, stress hormones like cortisol can spike, making you feel anxious or overwhelmed. Good sleep helps keep those hormones in check.

Supports mental clarity and decision-making: Sleep impacts cognitive functions like focus, memory, and problem-solving. When you're rested, you're more likely to think clearly and make better decisions, which can improve your overall mood and confidence.

Decreases anxiety and depression risk: Chronic poor sleep is linked to higher risks of developing anxiety and depression. Practicing good sleep hygiene can reduce these risks by allowing your brain to rest and reset.

When you prioritize good sleep hygiene, you're more likely to wake up feeling refreshed and emotionally balanced.

Now, put down the phone and get to bed. ‘night!

10/25/2025

Mindfulness. Is it a superpower? Maybe. It's pretty powerful to draw attention to your inner experience and really notice what is going on with you, right now. It is noticing your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations in the present moment, without getting swept away by them. Instead of reacting automatically or judging yourself, mindfulness helps you observe everything as it comes up, just as it is, with curiosity and acceptance.

When you practice mindfulness, you become more aware of your emotions and stress. This awareness allows you to respond to challenges in a calmer, more thoughtful way, rather than being overwhelmed or stuck in negative patterns.

09/20/2025

Mental healthcare is preventive care. Proactive (key word - active - it's hard work!) care is preventive care. We are here to help!

09/12/2025

Welcome back to the school year! Week 2 is over and now that we’re back in the groove, I’m wondering … how’s it going? What’s working? What needs to be tweaked to make it better? A solid evening & nighttime routine is the foundation for easing into the next morning (and if you’re not a morning person, mornings can be tough)! Mornings are made easier with planning the night before. What’s the best part of your routine? Trickiest part? Share with us in the comments!

09/12/2025

08/31/2025

08/19/2025

The HALT skill in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) is a simple way to check in with yourself when you're feeling overwhelmed or emotionally reactive.
HALT (or Lindsay’s alternative HBLT) stands for:
• H – Hungry: Are you hungry? Did you eat today? Hangry much!? Low blood sugar or skipped meals can affect your mood.
• A – Angry: Are you feeling mad, cranky, or frustrated? Strong emotions can cloud judgment.
• B – Bored: Lindsay adds this one in/substitutes it for ‘angry’. Are you uninterested, blah, apathetic, just don’t know what to do with yourself? This can make it harder to implement coping skills.
• L – Lonely: Are you feeling isolated, disconnected, alone? This can increase emotional vulnerability.
• T – Tired: Did you get a good night's sleep? Are you physically or mentally exhausted, drained? Fatigue can make it harder to cope.