Nancy Stoops

I know many of you are struggling with the Pandemic and all that goes with it.  Think about how many times you wished for sometime for yourself.  Well now you finally have it.  Use this time that we are all needing to stay home and lower the number of cases as a way to improve yourself.  Think about what it would feel like to become your best self. 

            Take out a piece of paper and fold it in to three sections. In the first section write all your qualities you want to keep.  In the second section write all the qualities you don’t want anymore.  In the third section write down all of the qualities to wish you add to your already wonderful self.  Now set some goals on how to start working on your plan.  For example, if you are feeling depressed start exercising and keeping a mood journal.  Each day write down how you are feeling and why you are feeling that way.  Look for the day you feel better and create a recipe based on what you did that day to make you feel better.  You can do the same thing with anxiety.  Write down all of the lies that are causing you fear and then find the truth through evidence from your past.  Think about all that you have already survived.  Meditation can be a very effective tool as well to quiet our minds and combat anxiety.

            Use this difficult time to your advantage.  Take this time to work on you.  I also recommend taking time to enjoy nature. Witnessing a beautiful sunrise or sunset can be a very wonderful way to adjust one’s attitude and mindset.  Please know I have faith that we will all come out better versions of ourselves and grow from all that we are dealing with.  Please don’t lose faith in yourself or this amazing world that we are so very blessed to live in!!!!!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909) 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net.