Resource Roundup: June 2024
A grateful girl summer
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Hello! Welcome back to another edition of the Resource Roundup—a curated collection of tools to help us grow in connection, along with a few things I've been loving this past month.
In June, we explored themes of weeping with those who weep, finding delight in small moments, and tools to help us stay within our window of tolerance. This month's highlighted resources continue to build on these themes. Hope you enjoy and please let me know your thoughts!
Matthias Barker’s Trauma Workshops
As someone who gets to speak to organizations about trauma, I've encountered many workshops—some great and others…less so. Matthias’ resources are among the better ones. His approach is endearing and accessible, offering practical tools and language for overcoming trauma. I would highly recommend his Healed Mind Workshop, which focuses on how our current coping behaviors often stem from childhood trauma and dysfunction. However, it is quite pricey. For a more affordable introduction, try his Free Mind Workshop . Both are helpful for anyone on their healing journey.
A MMFT Course (Mindfulness-Based Mind Fitness Training)
Last week I highlighted Elizabeth Stanley’s book, Widen the Window, and its insights for staying within our window of stress tolerance. For those wanting to dive deeper, this course is a great resource. While I recommend starting with the book, the workshop offers listeners an in-depth crash course on recovering from stress, burnout, trauma and building resilience. Not for the faint of heart but extremely helpful in understanding the mind-body connection more.
Gratitude Practices
This summer's theme is gratitude, especially for the little moments of delight. To help notice these moments, I often need to slow down and be more intentional. Gratitude practices can help and thankfully the internet is full of them. For example, every morning Emma Watson writes down three things from the previous day that brought her joy, three acts of kindness (either received or given), and three things she did well. Tsh Oxenreider writes down three inconveniences she is grateful for. And while I’m not his biggest fan, Andrew Huberman highlights the importance of receiving gratitude. This could look like remembering a time when someone expressed gratitude for you or telling others how grateful you are for them and why. It can also be as simple as saying "thank you" for every little thing in our day, from our morning coffee to gas in our car to electricity. When we begin to see everything as a gift freely given, life becomes filled with delight.
A Semi-Annual Check In
Last Thursday was the summer solstice, bringing with it the joy of sunsets after 8 pm and a reminder that this year is already halfway over. If you're like me and thinking "yikes," then it might be a good time for a mid-year check-in. Inspired by Annie Ridout's newsletter, here are some reflection questions to help you take stock of the past six months:
Think back to January 1st, how were you feeling at the start of the year?
Based on this week alone, on a scale of 1-10 (10 being freaking fantastic), how are you feeling? How are you doing mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually?
What are three things that have brought you joy this year?
What are three things that have caused you grief or sorrow this year?
Did you make any New Year's resolutions or goals? How are they going so far?
If they are going great - yay! What has contributed to this?
If they are not (join the club) - what would it look like to recommit to these goals in the next sixth months?
What has been the highlight of the last sixth months? As my husband and I say, what has been your rose? 🌹
What has been the lowlight of the last sixth months? Aka, your thorn. 🥀
What are some ways you have grown in the last sixth months?
How have you helped others? Your family, friends, neighbors or community?
How have you nourished yourself? Mind, body, soul and spirit?
Who are you most grateful for in the last sixth months? Text/call/tell the first person that comes to mind.
Who is someone you want to grow in relationship with? Text/call/reach out to the first person that comes to mind.
How is your relationship with God going? Can you sum up the last sixth months with Him in one word? What has contributed to that?
Ask the Lord, “if you were to sum up our relationship in the last sixth months with one word, what would it be?” Write down the first word that comes to mind. Now ask, “can you tell me more about this word?”
What is one practice that you’ve found helpful in the past six months? It could be a daily, weekly or monthly one. Could you incorporate it more into your routine for the next six months?
What would you like to prioritize or commit to over the next six months? Can you express it in one word or a short sentence?
How can you be intentional with this commitment in the months ahead? What could you do to help hold yourself accountable?
Ask the Holy Spirit, "what do you want me to focus on in the coming months? What are some ways I can live this out?"
Now reach out to someone you trust and share what came up for you while reflecting on these questions.
Luxury
In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron challenges our understanding of luxury by redefining it as simple pleasures (not extravagant clothes, cars or vacations). Aka, what brings you joy? The answer will vary for everyone and likely be very specific.
“For example, for Bernice it’s raspberries. Fresh raspberries. She laughs at how easily pleased she is. For the cost of a pint of raspberries she buys herself an experience of abundance. Sprinkled on cereal, cut up with a peach, poured over a scoop of ice cream. She can buy her abundance at the supermarket or even get it quick frozen if she has to. ‘They cost $2-4 depending on the season. I always tell myself they are too expensive but the truth is that’s a bargain for a week of luxury. It’s less than a movie. Less than a cheeseburger. I guess it’s just more than I thought I was worth.’” (chapter 6).
While luxury is often (rightly) associated with privilege, Cameron encourages us to reframe it. Even in the midst of hard seasons, tight finances and times of suffering, we can discover luxury in everyday moments. For me, luxury is slipping into these PJs every night, watering herbs, eating a handful of rainier cherries or strutting around in kitten heels.
Espresso Orange Tonic
A few weeks ago I had my first espresso orange tonic at Contra coffee and I have been trying to recreate it ever since. This comes close. A perfect summer drink that I am late to the party for.
The Tony Award’s Opening Numbers
Ever since Ariana Debose’s (lackluster) opening number at the Tonys a few weeks ago, I have been watching Broadway videos non-stop. Mainly, performances that still make me cry like her opening number from two years ago and Neil Patrick Harris’ Bigger performance. 10/10.
A Brat Girl Summer
Call me basic, I know, but Charlie XCX, Gracie Abrams and Sabrina Carpenter have been on repeat. This and this give some interesting explanations why. Alongside my girly pops, I have also had Abbie Gamboa’s album on full blast.
Also a Staycation Summer
The amount of YEARNING I feel to be in Europe this summer is unmatched. However, that is not looking likely. Instead, we are trying to embrace a boring girl summer or a staycation summer. Here are a few ideas for how to do this.
What have you been loving this last month? I want to hear! Comment below or message me. I can’t wait to hear from you.
Housekeeping
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