“I have this saying, when we connect, we care, when we care, we take better care of ourselves. Of one another, of the planet. So for me, it’s that. It’s about slowing down and paying attention. Noticing that. Connecting to it. Instead of just whizzing past everything.”
You write about how after attempting to take your own life, you had a realization and decided to move from merely surviving to thriving. What does that mean to you?
“For me the foundation of it all, as in Maslow's Hierarchy, is attending to the basics: a safe home that provides a haven from the madness of the world, nutritious food, water, time in nature, time spent in motion (moving the body) for blood flow and exercise, a clear head, and all the inherent benefits. Self-care is rarely very glamorous. It's really about getting enough sleep, taking your vitamins, drinking enough water, nourishing your cells, so that you have the energy and stamina to deal with whatever else is going to happen outside your four walls. Beyond that, it's about determining what makes you happy and what your personal definition of success looks like. It's about assessing where you're spending your energy and with whom, and eliminating the activities and people that detract from your sense of thrival.”