Author Archives: Anne Barker
Finding Summer During A Winter of Depression
“In the midst of winter I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.” – Alber Camus A few weeks ago, after several weeks of punishing wind and sub-zero temperatures, during which everyone in my community had all holed up … Continue reading
Posted in Mindfulness, Out Of My Mind
Tagged grief, handling feelings, living in the moment, loneliness, loss, meaning, mindfulness, self-care
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4 Tips For Handling Conversation Bullies
You’re at a cocktail party or in the office break room, and someone goes on a rant about their political views. Only in the process of sharing their own views, they are also demeaning everyone else’s. Or you’re at a … Continue reading
Here Be Dragons (And Monsters)
Halloween approaches, and we wait with anticipation to see what monsters will lurk in our streets and doorways. We’ve decorated our houses for these creatures, bought them bags and bags of candy, and we will be inquisitive, kind and very … Continue reading
Posted in Authenticity, Out Of My Mind
Tagged Authenticity, dark side, fear, revealing ourselves, the shadow, vulnerability
8 Comments
To Do Or Not To Do – A Downsizing Question
The act of downsizing, whether tackled out of a sense of opportunity (you want to lighten your load a bit, make room for some new things) or necessity (you can’t find your bathroom), can be surprisingly difficult. This is because … Continue reading
Posted in Letting Go, Out Of My Mind
Tagged habits, letting go of control, living in the moment, loss, meaning, mindfulness
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Take A Snow Day This Week (Even If It’s Not Snowing)
I decided to take a snow day this week. I had to give it to myself (more about that later), but I took one nonetheless. And it was really, really good. Before moving back to Omaha a few years ago, … Continue reading
Posted in Balance, Out Of My Mind
Tagged balance, living in the moment, mindfulness, self-care
4 Comments
Ready Or Not . . . Just GO!
One of my goals for 2014 is to write a book. In one year. Not like those crazy Nanowrimo overachievers, whose goal is to write a novel in one month. No, no, I’m giving my self a whole year. But we’re … Continue reading
Posted in Out Of My Mind, The Change Process, Writing
Tagged change, New Year's resolutions, self-improvement
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What’s Next? Moving Past Shame To Action
Radical change is like crack to me. I live for the adrenaline rush of a big, new thing. So when I sit down to make New Year’s resolutions, I’m like a sugar addict opening up a new bag of Oreos, … Continue reading
Posted in Out Of My Mind, The Change Process
Tagged acceptance, change, inner critic, New Year's resolutions, self-improvement
2 Comments
To Those Who Are Waiting
You know that final scene in the movie Love Actually when everyone is greeting each other in the airport? I was THERE, in that very scene, on Wednesday night when my husband, daughter and I went to the Omaha airport … Continue reading
Posted in Out Of My Mind, The Change Process
Tagged change, letting go of control, self-improvement, waiting
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The Don’t-Fix-It Guide To Feelings
I was having what you might call a bad morning. First up, the plasterer settled into my living room at 7:00 am for the second day in a row. This sounds so innocuous, I know. Plasterers can be so quiet … Continue reading
Posted in Letting Go, Out Of My Mind
Tagged acceptance, handling feelings, letting go of control, mindfulness
6 Comments
Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are
I remember playing hide-and-seek as a child with the neighborhood kids, and how there was always an inherent tension built into that game for me. See, the competitive side of me wanted to find the best hiding place EVER, somewhere … Continue reading
Posted in Authenticity, Out Of My Mind
Tagged Authenticity, handling fear, letting go of control, vulnerability
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