Hello, gorgeous souls! Nia here, and we’re back with another sip from ‘From Coffee to Charisma’. Now, let’s spill the beans (pun intended!). How many of you feel like you’re starring in an episode of a high-drama Spanish soap opera every time you step into your home? Honestly, if my life had a soundtrack, it would oscillate between Mozart’s Symphony and… circus music.
Now, before we get down to the details, grab your favourite coffee mug. Got it? Good! Imagine it filled with your go-to brew, a little bit of resilience, and a dash of humour. Sip, giggle, and dive in! Whenever I am at the supermarket and I spot a really put-together woman who has her children with her, I always wonder what their lives are like. Does she have a handle on things? Are her children obedient and in a routine? Does she feel like she’s conquered the day?
Then I think of myself and the running of my home and there are so many days when I wish there were more hours to just get everything running as clockwork. I always feel like some important part is being neglected. And then what happens in a challenging household? Where, as the mother, you really need to have your wits about you to come out on top? When you have to be an iron maiden to keep the fort going or else everything will just crumble around you. This got me thinking about what every resilient woman needs and possesses to cope. Here goes. By the way, I’m down to half my cold brew, so excuse me, while you read, I’m just off to top it up. How is your brew?
Emotional Agility: The Salsa of Emotions
First things first. Emotions? Think of them as the salsa dance. There’s passion, there’s flair, there’s dramatic twirls. Just as you wouldn’t let a wrong step ruin your groove, don’t let a fleeting emotion dictate your day. Emotions are like clouds—sure, some are stormy, but they too shall pass. Every time you sense a tantrum storm brewing, close your eyes, visualise it dissipating, and shimmy away.
The intricacy of our emotional landscape can often mirror the complexity of a dance. Just as the salsa is marked by quick movements, swift turns, and passionate displays, our emotions can shift rapidly, pulling us in multiple directions. However, resilient women, much like adept salsa dancers, have mastered the art of navigating these whirlwinds, and their secrets are worth knowing.
Laughter, The Ultimate Mood-Lifter
Raise your hand if you’ve ever tried speaking gibberish in an exaggerated French accent. No? Just me? Fine. But remember, the point is to laugh—a lot. The next ridiculous comment? Imagine it in that French accent. Trust me, it’s even more hilarious than those cat memes I know you love!
The ‘No Thank You’ Spoonful
You know those family dinners when Aunt Carol offers that weird green blob, and you take a tiny bite just to be polite? Same concept! You don’t need to digest every piece of negativity. Smile, nod, and side-eye that drama away.
Dance Off The Drama
When words fail, let your sassy dance moves speak. Whether it’s a head-bop to Lizzo in the bathroom or a wild interpretive dance about missing socks, let loose. Sometimes, a girl just has to twerk away her troubles.
Ditch The Digital, Honey
Remember those good old days without social media’s constant parade of “perfection”? Time-travel back occasionally. Reconnect with real-life, minus filters. You’ll be amazed at how ‘HD’ reality is.
Mornings of Mindfulness
Morning routines are like bras—essential and better tailored. Start your day with a quiet moment. Maybe it’s gratitude journaling while sipping on that mocha or simply soaking in the early sunlight.
A Diary Date
Remember when you wrote about that secret crush in middle school? Journals are like besties—non-judgmental and always there. Share your triumphs, tantrums, and turbulences. They handle drama way better than most humans!
Discover the Power of ‘NO’
Here’s a mantra for you: “It’s not avoidance, darling. It’s self-love.” Repeat and ward off drama drainers with it.
Declutter and Breathe
Ever experienced the pure joy of discovering a forgotten $10 bill while decluttering? Letting go of the old makes space for surprises. And no, I’m not just talking about your wardrobe. Mind clutter? Chuck it!
Nature’s Serene Symphony
Ah, nature! A space where your WiFi might be weak, but the connection is always strong. Embrace the therapeutic greenery and blueness. A ten-minute walk can reset even the most chaotic of moods.
Tune into Soulful Beats
Whether it’s Beyoncé’s fierceness or Adele’s soulful tunes, let music be your sanctuary. Craft playlists that resonate with every shade of your mood rainbow.
Globetrot on the Couch
Virtual travel – all the joy of exploring minus the jet lag! Dive into an Italian romance or a Korean drama. Trust me, your household drama will pale in comparison.
Pets: Nature’s Cute Therapists
My cat, Mr. Whiskers, has this incredible talent of making me laugh even on my grumpiest mornings. Pets sense, soothe, and sometimes, sass back. Embrace their fuzzy therapy.
Intentions, Not Expectations
Setting daily intentions is like setting your internal GPS. You decide your day’s direction, making you less vulnerable to unexpected roadblocks.
Breathe in Calm, Breathe Out Chaos
Inhale the good vibes, exhale the nonsense. Let your breath anchor you when the outer world feels like a spinning top.
Curiosity Didn’t Kill the Cat; It Made Her Wise
Turn defensiveness into inquisitiveness. Questions can bridge gaps, even if they’re just, “Why the heck did you put the empty milk carton back, Kevin?”
Create and Conquer
Channel your inner Frida Kahlo or Julia Child. Dive into creativity, and watch as your anxieties transform into masterpieces.
Sleep Like a Queen
Your bedroom? Think of it as your palace chamber. Lavender scents, plush pillows, and if you’re feeling extra – a tiara.
Micro-goals = Mega Growth
Break down life’s biggies into bite-sized goals. Celebrate every nibble!
Seek and You Shall Find Support
Real queens adjust each other’s crowns. Whether it’s friends, a life coach (like yours truly!), or a support group, lean in when needed.
Pop! Fizz! That’s the sound of you opening a can of empowerment. Life’s drama might be endless, but with these tools, you’ll be laughing, thriving, and occasionally dancing your way through it all.
Resilient women recognise that self-awareness is foundational. They understand and identify their emotions without judgment. They neither repress nor exaggerate their feelings, but rather, they name them. This act of naming has been shown to reduce the intensity of the emotion, making it easier to handle.
Avoiding uncomfortable emotions might seem like a good idea, but resilient women know that this is a short-term solution. Instead of running away, they embrace these emotions, understanding that feelings, even if painful, are a part of the human experience. By confronting these emotions head-on, they can process them more effectively.
Rather than adhering to a strict set of reactions, resilient women remain flexible in their responses. They adapt and modify their reactions based on the situation at hand, which allows them to maintain equilibrium even when faced with challenges.
One of the most significant assets in managing difficult emotions and situations is a supportive network. Resilient women often surround themselves with positive, understanding, and compassionate individuals who can offer guidance, lend an ear, or simply share a moment of joy.
Instead of being paralysed by their emotions, resilient women harness them to motivate action. Whether it’s journaling, seeking therapy, or simply talking things out, they are proactive in their healing journey.
Every situation, no matter how grim, carries with it a lesson or a silver lining. Resilient women have cultivated the art of reframing, which is the ability to look at a situation from a different perspective and find the positive or constructive aspect within it.
Life is an unending lesson, and resilient women take this to heart. They invest in their personal growth, seeking knowledge, understanding, and skills that can aid them in better handling their emotions and the situations they face.
For those who wish to delve deeper into the realm of emotional agility and its profound effects on well-being and success, Dr. Susan David’s book “Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life” is a treasure trove of insights. Dr. David’s work explores the intricate dance of emotions and offers actionable advice on how to navigate them with grace and efficacy.
Pop! Fizz! That’s the sound of you opening a can of empowerment. Life’s drama might be endless, but with these tools, you’ll be laughing, thriving, and occasionally dancing your way through it all.
