or Why I Spring Cleaned Today… and Why You Should Too

Finding my center after receiving unwelcome or difficult news has been a major focus for me this past month. Friends and family are facing health challenges. Colleagues are questioning if staying in business is the right path for them. Loved ones have been blindsided by bad news. And then there are the lingering after-effects of my own parotid cancer diagnosis. These things have weighed heavily on me over the past two months and have led me to wonder: How do we bounce back when life delivers a gut punch, and some days, staying in bed, hidden under the covers, feels like the most you can handle?

For me, the answer was to turn to two things that never fail to bring me joy and restore my balance—decluttering and organizing my office (or any space), and mowing the lawn, often accompanied by a side quest of weeding. It’s a little weird, I know, but stick with me…

We all have our reasons for feeling overwhelmed when life throws challenges our way, and those reasons are deeply personal. Understanding your core trigger is key to knowing your next step. For me, feeling like I have lost control over my life is a major trigger. When I was diagnosed with parotid cancer at the end of 2022, it initially felt as if my future rested solely in the hands of cancer and my healthcare team. Recognizing that losing control was at the root of my fear, I turned to activities that help me regain my feeling of control: decluttering, organizing, and cleaning. By reclaiming control over my space, I felt good. I felt at peace, calm, and emotionally ready to take my next steps toward showing cancer the door. I still had cancer and I was being guided by my healthcare team, but I was coming from a much healthier headspace.

Health and money are my biggest triggers, the areas that make me feel uncentered. But knowing this is empowering because it means I can recognize the signs and take action to bring that initial wave of panic or fear under control. Once that tight, anxious feeling in my chest starts to release (even just a bit), I make better decisions. I feel at peace. My mood shifts from being down and overwhelmed to calm and open, ready to consider my options.

If you are feeling low or facing difficult news, take a moment to identify what fear is holding you back. Shine a light on that fear and then do something to counteract it. Make a list of activities that you love, things that center you. They can be simple, everyday activities or grand, indulgent ones. Now, pick one and do it until you feel more grounded. When you do, you will be in a better place to look at your fear with a new mindset. The result? Better decisions and a clearer path forward. ✨

I am cheering you on! I have you.