Self-love and balance are key to our sense of well-being but often they get pushed aside as we try to navigate our way through life’s challenges. Best friends Lisa Brookman and Liz Wiener want to help us get there with their blog and online community, Wise Women Canada. We asked them for more info on this important initiative. —Rachel Johnston
Tell us about Wise Women Canada and how it came to be.
Lisa: As a psychotherapist with over 18 years of experience in the field of social work, I would often get questions from clients, especially at the end of the therapeutic process, about where to turn to take the next steps in making positive change. They asked, among many other things, about personal trainers, hairdressers, doctors, and even the best place to take their pets for vet care. I had the idea to create an online resource; a place women could turn to for practical advice and information.
Liz: As a mental health advocate, I have a passion for breaking the stigma associated with mental illness. Together Lisa and I launched our blog. The tides turned when I wrote my “coming out” story about living with depression. That post went viral, with hundreds of comments from readers who thanked me for sharing my story because it made them feel less alone. Wise Women Canada transitioned from being a practical information blog into a community for sharing the stories that connect us. Wise Women Canada is a place where women can feel kinship and empowered to reach their fullest potential. We are also the proud co-hosts of the Wise Women radio show on Montreal’s CJAD 800 (and IHeartRadio.com) which airs every Sunday night from 8-10pm.
Is there a process we should follow to achieve self-love?
On a daily basis, we are flooded with social media images of people’s “perfect” lives, and it can be easy to forget that those photos are often carefully selected, filtered moments that don’t reflect reality. We often get tricked into feeling that we’re not enough. Step one in the journey to self-love is to stop comparing yourself to others. We love the expression “comparison is the thief of joy” because it is absolutely true! Be authentic, do what feels right, and treat yourself as you’d treat a dear friend. You deserve the same kindness and compassion.
How can women find work-life balance?
We are big believers in the idea of self-care. If you don’t take care of yourself, you have much less quality to give to your family, your friends and your job. Make sure you take time for yourself, whether it’s squeezing in an evening yoga class when your kids go to bed or setting aside a half hour to read a book or go for a walk. That time you take to connect with yourself recharges your batteries. Asking for help is also essential. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help with babysitting, meals or carpool. Your friends and family will be grateful that you asked (people like being needed!), you’ll feel a hundred times lighter and happy to return the favour.
What are some tips to improve our mood and overall sense of well-being as we transition into the winter months?
The shorter days, cooler temperatures and the impending arrival of winter can generate a significant decline in mood, but there are things you can do to make the winter months more bearable:
> Use a Seasonal Affective Disorder light when you wake up in the morning to trick your body into believing you’re basking in the sun and absorb some mood-lifting vitamin D.
> Exercise!
> Make food choices that nourish your body and mind.
> Resist the urge to lie in bed and wait for spring. Plan something to look forward to at least once a week.
> Develop a gratitude practice. Take a few minutes every day to write down a few things you’re grateful for to shift your focus from the dark, cold days of winter.
Finally, in a world consumed with youth, can you provide some advice on aging gracefully?
One of our favourite expressions is “Don’t regret growing older. It’s a privilege denied to many.” Appreciate that you are lucky enough to be celebrating another birthday and embrace the experiences, memories and life lessons you’ve accumulated with each passing year. Make an effort to spend more time with the people who bring positive energy to your life. Bust out of your comfort zone every once in a while and enjoy the endorphin rush that comes from trying new things. Embrace failure (it helps you grow and evolve)! And of course, eat mindfully, move your body and make sleep a priority.
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