Counting Down To Christmas [Trigger warning] As colleagues bid each other happy holidays, it’s not ‘happy’ for everyone. Whilst various sources are inconsistent with whether or not there is an increase suicide rates during the holidays, one thing I know for sure is that those who use work as their crutch, will inevitably feel the sting of loneliness - if not despair. Rewind back more than a decade ago. I was a fresh graduate, with altruistic dreams. I was working for a relative, to be groomed as the successor to that empire; working twice if not three times as hard, because I wanted - NEEDED to prove my worth. To cut to the chase, it didn’t work out. My health failed and I found myself on edge. Literally, on the edge of my top floor apartment window. After a few failed suicide attempts, I wouldn’t feel anything. It was simply numbness. I prayed that I would feel something - anything. Until a strong gust of wind knocked me back from the window, then FINALLY, I felt a little something. The little something was Hope. There was a way out, even if I didn’t know what, how or when. When people attempt suicide, it’s because they want so desperately for the life that they know to end. I needed this monotony to stop. Just because somebody might ‘have it all’, come from a ‘good family’, or just be the type of person you never need to ‘worry about’ because they’re always smiling - they may only be a shell of a person left. Never assume. This is a time where I feel such sorrow for my younger self, but I know I am not alone. Through God, who is outside of time and space, I give my younger self strength and love. I forcibly make her attempts to end her life hard AND I make her work life so difficult so she learns it’s NOT for her. (Continued in comments)

As we get ready for the holidays, do you feel that you could do with a little more mental white space? I was inspired by @chalenejohnson ‘s latest post on friendships, and I realised as I recover from letting go of a friend who was a great person but constantly relied on me for validation, I had wanted to encourage you to look at your friendships this holiday and lighten the load. #lightentheload #lightenyourload #quoteoftheday #inspirationalquote #truthbomb #innerwork #innerworkhealing #innerworkhealingjourney #innerchild #innerchildhealing #innerchildhealingtherapy #innerchildhealingjourney

Happiness comes from the #confidence and competence of doing something well. By stepping up and being 💯% responsible for your life, then you will achieve true #happiness Show up everyday, even if you don’t feel like it. Only you can express your unique voice to the world. #lifehappiness #quoteoftheday #innerwork #innerhealing #innerchild #motivation #truthbomb #inspirationalquote #inspirationalquoteoftheday

#inspirationalquoteoftheday #inspirationalquotes #lifehappiness #innerwork #innerchild #truthbomb #trauma #traumarecovery #traumahealing #traumainformed #traumatherapy

#nature is a way that I love recharging and #lightentheload to life. After recovering from a spinal injury, this is me slowly #hiking again. #hongkong is stunning. What do you like to do to #lightenyourload ? 🙂 #hikinghk #thisishongkong #innerwork

Repeat to yourself when you’re about to say YES to something or someone at your expense. Why do they matter more than you, for you to sacrifice yourself? I’m not talking about your being the primary caretaker of the young or elderly. It’s those little situations, those little assaults to your #innerchild Take notice, be curious. Those little assaults will lead to a crisis if unchecked. #inspirationalquotes #lifehappiness #truthbomb #innerwork

Many well-meaning people want to help the next generation, but have an inner war within themselves. They haven’t done the #innerwork to truly lighten their load to assumptions, stereotypes and norms. This can lead to doing more harm than good because they are perpetuating #trauma Help others by helping yourself first. A person just can’t build another person (by providing a safe nourishing environment) whilst they are tearing themselves in their minds.

✋ Stop faking it If you feel like crap, own it. Get out of the funk by going THROUGH it.

Often times, women dismiss their power and give it away too easily. But we know that it’s off, and we resort to manipulation to control everything. Hey, burst your bubble there? Well now you know it, want to know the possibilities? Well, recall this power to you. 1️⃣ Notice how you really feel 2️⃣ Take up space in that meeting 3️⃣ Speak up with a strong steady voice 4️⃣ Step into your confidence again For more, sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send you a free gift ? to get you going! See bio.

It’s never been an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ problem. We as adults, especially parents need to: 1. Understand the enormous impact we have on our kids 2. Identify how our beliefs have formed us 3. Change the ways in which our beliefs are communicated to our youth in empowering ways Even if you don’t have biological children, you can take on mentoring a young person. But first, please do your own #innerwork and stop perpetuating #trauma