Life and Wellness Tips (Pearls of Wisdom) with H

Hi! For those of you who may not know me, hello! My name is H, and I have been a part of the Community Management Team since 2018. I love our global community and I love thinking about all we share as a collective knowledge base.

Here are just a few pearls of wisdom from my experiences in life that I feel are very important in this day and age and may resonate with some of you out there:

❇️ It's okay to be wrong. In fact, it’s a great opportunity. Every time you're wrong about something, you open the door to learning something new and expanding your understanding. If you were always right, there would be no room for growth. Being wrong highlights gaps in your knowledge or a different perspective you hadn't considered. This process of making a mistake, understanding why it was a mistake, and then correcting your understanding is how true learning happens.

❇️ For every negative thought, challenge it with a positive one. (An aspect of cognitive restructuring or reframing). "I'm going to fail this presentation," immediately counteract it with, "I've prepared well, and even if it's not perfect, I'll learn something." Or if you catch yourself thinking, "No one cares what I have to say," flip it to, "My perspective is valuable, and I deserve to be heard."

This isn't about ignoring your feelings; it's about reprogramming your brain to focus on constructive and empowering thoughts instead of getting stuck in a negative loop. This is a practice and one I personally spent years on. I actually used to be a pretty pessimistic person. I watched a documentary called “Happy” (2011) and it really offered a lot of perspective. I took it with me on those years of mental self-disciplining and it was worth the effort because it’s now an automatic shift my brain makes. On low days it helps me cope, and on better days it makes me optimistic. If you want to take charge of your thoughts, I recommend this short video too!

❇️ Your phone is a tool, not a limb. Be mindful of your screen time and social media consumption. Set boundaries: designate "no-phone zones" (like the dinner table or bedroom before bed) or "no-phone times" to give your mind a break from constant input (stop doomscrolling) and comparison (remember everyone online always puts their best impressions first).

❇️ We as humans need nature. Nature isn’t rushed. Nature simply is. Even if you’re just sitting outside for five minutes a day, it still counts. Let the sun hit your face, breathe in crisp winter air. Wherever you are, whatever season, whatever conditions, find one natural element and enjoy it.

❇️ If you master one thing, make it empathy.

❇️ Boundaries aren’t for others, they are for you. Don’t justify, apologize or overexplain. You have the right to set boundaries without needing to give a lengthy explanation or apologize for your needs. A simple "No" or "I can't do that" is often sufficient. I know that’s a huge feat for those of us with abusive backgrounds, but your life belongs to you, and you deserve to live it on your own terms. Those who don’t accept your boundaries are not the people for you.

"Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others." - Brené Brown

❇️ We all have unique challenges and there’s so much to learn about inclusivity.  Since you’re here, make use of our self-help guides. They can help you not only learn more about yourself but your fellow peers here.

💜 Did any of these help you?

💜 Do you have any pearls of wisdom for us? Leave yours below and I will include it in my next post, "Pearls of Wisdom From Our Community"!