Mindful Kim Blogs!

Self-care is a priority in my life so when someone asked to guest-post, on my blog, about that very topic I was thrilled! Brad Krause left the corporate world to help promote the simple notion of self-care through writing and consulting. Find more about Brad on his website http://selfcaring.info/ . Thanks for reading! Blessings, Kim xx The Journey to Positive Mental Health Through Self-Care Self-care is an important part of wellness, and it includes all aspects of your body and mind. With a holistic approach to self-care, you can tackle recurrent issues with your physical and mental health. Take some important steps to work on self-care by focusing on the following areas of your life. Gratitude and Positivity When was the last time you made yourself feel loved? There are so many ways to love yourself. You can treat yourself to a spa day, buy a new outfit, go on a solo weekend trip or a solo date, do something that you always want to do ...

"Maybe it's time to get a job?" they ask.  Sounds simple enough, right? Well, it isn't.  After deciding that I wanted my own income and more independence, and after either being in school, caring for our family and sanctuary for 13 years and/or having a business that eventually closed,  I decided that I needed a change. First step was the huge decision, because it means a huge chunk of time away from my family and home. The next step was getting help to update my resume. Then, the job search. But, after 3 months of steps 2 and 3 and dozens of resumes including signing up with a local job placement company, the results were discouraging. No interviews. Nothing. Then, on a regular visit to my friend's awesome spa (Bliss day Spa in Trenton) and some great conversation with my friend, Tina, a suggestion snowballed in my head.  "What about cleaning?" At first, it was "meh, I don't know..." but then it started to feel different. ...

I'm not talking about a list of your stressors, but a list of things you can do to reduce stress if it feels like it's getting in the way of life or if you just want to manage it in advance so it doesn't become a problem. ​ Don't let stress get in the way of life... ​ My list is as follows: eat (fruit/veg) drink (water, not booze - haha) bike ride walk yoga essential oils meditate nap read clean/tidy ​ I have this list of go-to's on an app called Google Keep and set to give me reminders. These reminders pop up, so I can remember 1) that I have a list and 2) to use them to keep myself sane. Or to bring sanity back faster, should a crisis arise. *Note: T his page often contains affiliate links  meaning I earn a commission if you use those links (and I thank you for your support!). I on...

Melissa is writing a book on emotional wellness and fitness and her website,   stopsuicide.info,  contains articles on handling suicidal thoughts and recovery from suicide attempts.  Please visit her site if you have been having these thoughts or pass this post along if you think it may help someone.  Or even share on social media.. you never know who it might reach! I am also an affiliate for BetterHelp.com so you could also read about online counselling HERE , if interested. Thanks!   Kim xx *DISCLAIMER:  The views, opinions and positions expressed within these guest posts are those of the author alone and do not represent those of  Kim Belanger-Mills/Patchoulimoon VeganKim . The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The copyright of this content belongs to the author and any liability with regards to infrin...

I went for a walk and sorted out some feelings today. I'm feeling better about the situation, and thought I would share some of the lovely photos of my walk... along with my thoughts. I hope that it might help someone else going through a life change. The journey begins  At first, I was feeling quite down and like a failure at the dreams that I've 'lost', such as: in my childhood I wanted to be a teacher or stay at home and be a homemaker. As an adult I wanted to work in the holistic field. I've done all those and instead of thinking of them as a loss or failure I now think of them as experiences that I wanted and did. I can check them off my list! More like, yay me... look at my accomplishments!! Look at the adventures I've wanted and actually did in my life, so far.  A tiny frog, smaller than my thumb nail.  As a matter of fact, as I look back now, I can't see myself teaching yoga again...

If you missed 'Assumptions Part 1'  HERE it is. One of my biggest issues is people judging me for what I do. No matter what I do, there seems to be judgement. Society is so stuck on what we do for a living, or not. It really doesn't tell if we are a good person or not so who cares?? I may have finally make peace with that.. I had to thank my Higher Power for her guidance last night. I was obsessing about people judging me for being a SAHM but I know what they think is none of my business.  I can't control their prejudices. I can only control ME. Maybe I'm annoyed with myself for relapsing in JADE (justify, argue, defend, explain). For defending my choices. They are not making me feel anything, that's already in there or I wouldn't be caught up in it. All I need to say is that yes I stay home but I cannot squeeze one more thing into my life without dropping a priority. Period. No JADE. No engagement in their judgement, prejudices or negativity. Wh...

I should first start by telling you that I am not new to meditation.  I taught meditation for over 7 years and have been doing it far longer than that.  I also loved it enough get certified in meditation, separate from what I took in my yoga teaching course. Today, I started out with these mantras, as suggested by Deepak... I am So Hum (I am / that) This is the result of that meditation.  What came to me while in mediation.  I don't think I would consider it to be the voice of God, since we are all God.  These words are just the result of clearing out the unnecessary. In the order of which they came to me... We are each a spark of God.  We are God. Meditation is cleansing.  We are cleansing out what isn't to be more God-like. Listen.  Our God-ness will tell us.  Tell us what to do.  Where to go.  What to say.  Who to be. How can we be angry with our neighbour if we know he'she contains the God spark?  That ...