On boundaries and being enough.

IT IS OK TO SET BOUNDARIES WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO BE THE BEST VERSION OF YOU.

It is OK to say no to things that are overwhelming or 'too much" for you.

It is OK to protect your mental health and wellbeing fiercely.

You deserve to be healthy, mind-body-spirit.

Remember: guilt is "I did something bad" and shame is "I AM bad." You are NOT a bad human for making an adoption plan...You are a loving and caring human, capable of great love (because without the capacity for great love, we would not grieve so deeply)

Saying NO to something that is not part of your core values or desires on how you wish your life..is OK.

When someone else places guilt (or shame) on you for sticking to your boundaries, that is a reflection on them and their own insecurities.

Delete the texts that you ruminate in that make you feel you are not enough. 

Love yourself enough to walk out on an event or person when they cross the boundary you have set. 

You can calmly say "I told you that topic was off boundaries. I will not tolerate being spoken to that way. I love you but I respect myself enough to not continue to let you speak to me that way. We can try again tomorrow"

This holiday season partake in activities that bring you love, joy, and belonging.

You are brave.

You are loving.

You are kind.

You are enough.

Comments

THE truth, MY truth, and BELIEF

When you look at this picture, what do you see? Let me start out with how awesome this picture is. I'm standing on a roof, with this amazing sky, in my wedding dress, with the love of my life on the day I felt most beautiful. Ever. My hair was done professionally, my makeup was done professionally. I spent 4 years losing weight to be a healthy and active body. My hometown is below us, where I am building a dream career. My husband thinks my part of the picture looks kind of like a beach, with the surf receding off to the right...especially when the photo is in black in white. I'm holding handmade paper flowers, where some pages are pages from a book. Guys. I CLIMBED ON A ROOF IN MY WEDDING DRESS. WILLINGLY. I'm standing in the snow, and I can still feel the cold of the snow on my shoes. I remember the moment thinking of how sure I was in choosing a partner, that I was excited to be married and to build our partnership...and li...

Technology vs. Hard Work: Why competitive swimming got it right by going back to grassroots swimsuits.

Technology vs. Hard Work: Why competitive swimming got it right by going back to grassroots swimsuits. by Caroline McDermott The sport of competitive swimming has long been coveted for instilling pride in the effort and results of hard work. Our sport, with the exception of the East Germans in the 1980's, has not been tainted with the use of performance-enhancing drugs, especially in the United States. Our sport thrives on the concept of those who work the hardest, achieve. The introduction of the technical suit in 2008 (Speedo LZR, amongst others) threatened to change the very essence of our sport. The swimsuits, which were introduced to the swimming world in 2008, have led to over 102 World Records set in 2008, in the Olympics and other internationally recognized meets.(Cazeneuve, 2009) “At one point in the Olympics, 42 of the 48 swimming medals awarded had been won by athletes wearing Speedo's LZR.” (Five Reasons, 2009) Overall, 158 World Records were ...

Caroline Ritenour 101

Over the years I've learned a lot about myself I always knew I was a gifted learner and now I have been diagnosed with ADHD. (There's an actual term for this, too: Twice Exceptional!) Now I know that my ADHD "hid" until my ability to create systems to help me thrive....imploded. I'm realizing a lot of my struggles, aren't really me not "trying hard enough" but more of how my brain is wired. Systems breaking down, or my brain not being INTERESTED in what I am doing. Try prioritizing important tasks when there's something else interesting PULLING AT YOUR BRAIN...it's exhausting! (ADHD'ers have an interest based nervous system... where most of the world has an importance based one...) This is a 'best/worst' quality. In the right context, my "fast brain" -- ADHD impulsivity-wired brain -- helps me make some great business decisions and take risks that have had huge payouts (and sometimes failures), but it al...

In Perpetual Pursuit

Search This Blog