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  • Dr. Angela

What does it mean to THRIVE?

Starting Monday, November 4th, I began posting on social media about "thriving" during the holidays. When I say holidays I mean the months of November and December where in the U.S. we celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza (in addition to others that I'm likely forgetting). As a licensed psychologist I hear a lot from my clients during these holiday months how stressful things are. How stressed individuals are about money, family, work, and life in general. How much everyone needs and wants a break. How excited people are about moving through the end of the year. So much excitement for it to be 2020 (or whatever the next year is). And this always gives me pause. To me, the holidays have always been such a magical time. I can get lost in the wonder of it all. And I love it. I look forward to these months every year. Not for the gifts or the consumption, but for the holiday season. I relish in the holiday food and movies. I look forward to the cooler weather (I live in Florida) to spend more time outside running without sweating buckets. But I'm from the midwest so the holidays almost always meant snow. I also find I enjoy my time with my family more and look forward to holiday gatherings with friends. Did I mention the food? It's just so good. And the holiday classics?! And the music?! To me the holidays give such an opportunity to be hopeful and happy.


I realized this year that maybe there is energy I put into the holidays that others possibly don't or struggle to. So instead of posting about ways to manage holiday stress I thought why not post about ways to thrive. Stress is a given. No matter who you are, the older we get, the more life we have lived, the more losses we have experienced, the more stressors we have. It is a given! So let's focus on what is good. Let's put energy into what is good and what makes us happy and connected to ourselves and others. Let's not give into the stress but rather embrace the good. It's such a waste to wish away two months of our lives, you know?


For the 2019 Thrive Guide I decided on seven areas to encourage this expressed connection, happiness and fun with each area representing a day during the week. These are: Forgiveness Mondays, Food Tuesdays, Fitness Wednesdays, Fun Thursdays, Film Fridays, Football Saturdays, and "Family" Sundays. Six of these Fs have been a staple in my life since I was born around the holidays and really most of the year (but we hit it hard during the holidays!) I added Forgiveness because I know with all the stress, grief, and loss I too can build resentment and anger for things that have not and do not go my way as well as the ways our traditions morph and change. So I am aspiring to start my weeks off differently the next couple of months. And I hope you will join me. Below is a guide for what I will be sharing.



So if this sounds like something interesting to you please join me. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube as well as right here on my website. Daily invitations, motivators and encouragement to thrive and embrace the positive. I'm excited and excited to have you along for the ride!


- Angela

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