Wellness with Peers

04/26/2026

DAILY SELF CARE:

When you fall, dust yourself off and start all over again. How do you do this? The best way is to prepare for making a mistake before you do. Create a short list of methods and phrases that you can apply in a caring way when you're motivation or self-confidence is low because you messed up. Think of encouraging words or actions that you would offer to a friend in need of a confidence boost and some forgiveness. Give them to yourself, as necessary.

04/25/2026

YOUR DAILY SELF CARE:

The concept of "Faking it until you become it" may sound, well, fake on its own, but there is real power in this way of thinking. The concept supports the cognitive behavioral theory of healthy self-motivation and mental health. Just like laughing increases your mood, imitating confidence, and positivity allows you to truly nurture those qualities.

Today, if you aren't feeling motivated, pretend that you are. Tell yourself how energized you feel about presenting that project at work or how pumped you are for your workout today. The more you practice aspirational self-talk, the more it will become truth!

Please Pardon Our Dust, we're still a work in progress ;-) Fostering Well- being and Growth in Communities Together Dedicated to fostering well-being and growth, Wellness With Peers uplifts people and communities through impactful support. By offering mental health resources, peer counseling, and pe...

04/24/2026

TODAY'S SELF CARE:

Do you soundly swear to stay in your lane, your whole lane, and nothing but your lane?

The biggest motivation killer is comparison. Reflect on how you compare yourself with others. Sometimes when you make choices as a direct result of comparing yourself with someone else, you fail at your goals or intentions because you are trying to occupy a lane of life that isn't your own. Your lane is made just for you, and it's a beautiful just the way it is. Feel good about staying in your lane, it's where all your potential and passion life. When you focus on your own line, you can appreciate your unique growth.

Come back tomorrow for some more self care suggestions!

04/23/2026

TODAY'S SELF HELP:

There is a time to push and a time to rest. Your life is a journey, and you are in it for the long haul. This is a beautiful and hopeful truth because you need a balance of inhaling and exhaling. Inhaling looks like discipline, motivation, productivity, work, and life maintenance. Exhaling is relaxation, quiet time, play, and laughter. Know yourself well enough to recognize your limits. Be good to yourself today by finding moments of rest.
May you inhale and exhale deeply and regularly.

04/22/2026

TODAY'S SELF CARE:

Sometimes, paying close attention to your clothes or appearance can feel superficial. But there are very real psychological effects that come from what you wear. According to research, Formal Wear can increase your sense of confidence and make you a better negotiator (Yes, they research this stuff) experiment with wearing clothes that make you feel assured, strong, and powerful. Whether it's a gown in the back of your closet or three piece suit, try it on and see how you feel.

04/21/2026

TODAY'S SELF CARE:

If you are struggling in any way with willpower and motivation, know that you can and will overcome it. Willpower is a muscle to be strengthened, like any other. Invest in yourself today by looking for resources, such as self-help books, podcast, websites, or the Council of a mentor or a friend, that will help you build and flex your willpower muscles.
You can do it!

04/20/2026

TODAY'S SELF CARE:

Start planning the dream trip that you've always wanted to take. Whether it's been a matter of money, time off from work, being away from your family, or the sense that you don't deserve a break that's been holding you back, allow yourself to move slowly towards your dream. Regardless if it will happen next month, next year, or even years from now, the time has come to set the plan in motion. Choose where you want to go, pick a date, and start planning and saving. Whenever the day-to-day leaves you feeling discouraged or stressed, remember that your dream trip is truly on the horizon.

04/19/2026

TODAY'S SELF CARE:

I am awesome. I am moving forward. I am succeeding. I am strong. I am powerful. I am one of a kind. I don't try to be what I am not. I am me!

04/18/2026

TODAY'S SELF CARE:

Your muscles respond to direct pressure by relaxing. Any pressure applied to u your superficial muscles penetrates, in a ripple effect, the deeper muscle layers as well, reducing your bodies inflammation and creating a general calming environment in your body.
You can care for your muscles by rolling them out. If you don't have a foam roller, use any large, firm cylindrical or round object you have at home (such as a thermos or tennis ball). Starting at your feet, roll in long passes up and down your legs and arms, feeling a relaxing Wave Wash over your muscles.

Come back tomorrow for another self care tip!

03/09/2026

I want to share something from a very honest and vulnerable place in my heart.

Many of you know that I live with chronic health conditions, but what that really means day to day is something that’s hard to explain unless you experience it. Some days the pain and exhaustion are manageable. Other days they are completely debilitating. There are times when my body feels like it has simply shut down, and no amount of willpower can push through it.

And believe me… if willpower alone could fix it, I would never miss a thing.

One of the things that matters most to me in this life is being there for others. The work I do with my mental health and addiction support community is not just something I run—it’s something I feel deeply called to do. My website, the meetings, the one-on-one conversations with people who are struggling… they are incredibly important to me. Helping people find even the smallest bit of peace, hope, or direction is something I pour my whole heart into.

I know that sometimes I’m the only person someone feels they can reach out to. Sometimes I’m the only one willing to sit with someone in their pain and help them look for a different path, an unconventional solution, or just remind them they matter and they’re not alone. That responsibility is something I never take lightly.

Because of that, I often put others before myself. My own self-care is something I struggle with because when someone is hurting, my instinct is to help. I’m working on finding better balance, but it’s a process.

So if there are times when I cancel plans, disappear for a bit, or have to step away from things, please understand it is never because I don’t care. It is never because my commitments aren’t important to me. The truth is, sometimes my body simply reaches a point where it cannot keep going.

There are days when the pain and exhaustion become so overwhelming that the only thing I can do is lay still, cry, and try to rest until it passes. In those moments, even the smallest tasks can feel impossible.

But please never—not even for a moment—question my commitment to the people I try to help or the causes I believe in so deeply. My heart is fully invested in this work and in the people I care about.

The reality is that I am disabled, and I can only do the very best I can with the body I have. Some days my best looks like strength, productivity, and being present for everyone. Other days my best simply means surviving the pain and allowing myself to rest.

But even on those quiet days when I’m forced to step back… my heart is still there. I still care. I’m still rooting for every single person who reaches out for help.

Thank you to the people who show patience, kindness, and understanding when I need to pause and take care of myself. Your compassion means more than words can ever express.

Please just know this…
Even when I’m quiet, I still care deeply.
Even when I have to rest, I’m still committed.
And even when my body struggles, my heart will always show up. ❤️

01/17/2026

Here's some positive affirmations. If you like them, or even some of them, feel free to save them or pass them on!
Love and light to you all.
🙏

01/09/2026

We're going to be starting a new class/group soon!
We'd love to have you join us. The following is a brief description of the book we'll be following.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•
Atomic Habits by James Clear is all about one powerful idea: **big life changes don’t come from one big decision… they come from tiny choices repeated daily.** Your habits—what you do when you’re stressed, tired, bored, lonely, or busy—quietly shape your health, your mindset, your relationships, and your future.

Clear calls them “atomic” because they’re **small**… but also **powerful**. A little improvement done consistently **compounds**. That’s why the idea of getting **1% better each day** matters. One good day won’t change your life, but a *pattern* will.

One reason people quit is because progress doesn’t always show up right away. The book explains the **Plateau of Latent Potential**—the time when your effort is working, but results aren’t visible yet. Like an ice cube warming from 25° to 31° (nothing changes)… until 32° and it melts. **The breakthrough is usually the result of many small steps you couldn’t see paying off.**

Atomic Habits also flips the way we usually think about change. Instead of obsessing over goals, Clear says to focus on **systems**. A goal is what you want. A system is what you do every day to get there. **Winners and losers often have the same goals**—the difference is the system they follow.

One of the best parts of the book is the identity shift. Lasting change doesn’t start with “What do I want?” It starts with **“Who do I want to become?”** Every habit is a vote for the person you’re becoming. You don’t need perfection—just more votes in the right direction.

Clear explains habits with a simple loop: **Cue → Craving → Response → Reward.** Once you understand what triggers a habit and what “reward” you’re really craving (comfort, relief, escape, connection), you can build better patterns.

Then he gives the core toolkit: **The Four Laws of Behavior Change**

1. **Make it Obvious** (clear cues, plan it, habit stacking: “After I ___, I will ___.”)
2. **Make it Attractive** (pair it with something enjoyable, surround yourself with supportive people)
3. **Make it Easy** (start tiny, use the 2-minute rule, reduce friction)
4. **Make it Satisfying** (track it, celebrate wins, build accountability)

💛 **Want to learn this with support? Join us!**
**Wellness With Peers: Atomic Habits (6-week virtual course)**
🗓 Wednesdays | ⏰ 7:00 PM CST | 💻 Online
A link to the class will be posted weekly, approximately 1 hour before the class begins.
We’ll break it down into simple steps, real-life examples, discussion, and tools you can use right away. No judgment—just support, growth, and encouragement.