Dear Friends:

Regardless of whether you're eager to kick 2020 to the curb or found your happy place in self-isolation, I wish you the best in welcoming  2021.

Mental Health in the Workplace

As we hang on while the weirdest year of most of our lives winds down, I wanted to share an article that brought me to tears. In this piece, "I’m stepping down as CEO due to my mental health—and I want to talk about it" Matthew Cooper, cofounder of EarnUp, shares openly about his challenges in an effort to reduce the stigma around mental health.

When I stepped away from my position as a partner in a small law firm in 1994, the reactions to my openness with my other partners, fellow lawyers, and our staff about why I was leaving (major depressive episode) ranged from empathy to disgust. Most of the people at the firm, especially my partners and staff, were glad I was getting the care I needed, but one lawyer barely let me finish before asking if he could have my office. And no one was writing articles for the Bar Association Journal about leaving a position due to their mental health. May Cooper's refreshingly honest piece pave the way for more discussion.  

I hope to add to this conversation during the Leadership Goes Beyond Pulse virtual conference on January 29, 2021 where I will speak about mental health in the workplace. 

Wellness Tip: Be Where You Are

Debra Eckerling, author of Your Goal Guide, invited me to share a tip for her #start2021now #NewYearNewYou campaign. Here's the lovely graphic she made. Click through to read the article.



Thanks so much Deb for including my tip!

My Teensy Gift to You

Another author showed me how to make virtual jigsaw puzzles of my book covers. I hope you enjoy playing with these as much as I loved making them.

Most Popular Blog Post

The gift guide I shared in this recent post, "Books Make Great Holiday Gifts," far outperformed every other post on my blog for the past few months. The biggest holidays may have passed, but books still make great gifts any time.

For the Runners

If you're in central Ohio, the running group that has become my trail family, Marathoner in Training, opened registration to new members for $30! That's a huge discount. Because we're still under stay home restrictions, all runs are virtual for now, but you still receive training instruction, a plan, coaches, and Facebook group support and camaraderie. Goal races include a half in April and a half and full in May. For details go to trainwithmit.com. 

I'll admit it's been tough getting out the door since the weather turned colder here in central Ohio. We had some gorgeous snow, but slightly warmer (still very cold) temps turned the precipitation to rain so I might be house jogging again. Whatever tweaks you need to make to keep yourself moving, let that be enough. We've had such a rough year. We'll choose our goals and do the work, but let's be gentle with ourselves emotionally. Someone declared 2020 the year it was okay to not be okay.  Let's call 2021 the year when barely good enough is plenty!

Wellness Group

The Mind, Mood, and Movement group continues to grow and members now send me unicorn memes and photos to add to the rotation. Each day I post writing, meditation, and movement practices and wellness tools, with occasional challenges. If you're not already in the group, I hope you'll consider joining.

Now YOU FOLKS are Just Showing Off

You folks are Awesome! Positive reviews of Depression Hates a Moving Target and You Should Be Writing keep coming. You have no idea how happy even a one sentence positive review makes me. Thank you for continuing to make my dreams come true!

Events & Classes

Everything is online for the foreseeable future so no matter where you live, you can join me for a class or event:

1/29/21: Leadership Goes Beyond Virtual Conference

2/10/21: OMTimes Radio with Melisa Caprio - Save the Date

2/22/21: Mindful Writing

3/8/21: Blogging for Authors

3/11/21: CLE on Meditation
 

A Final Word

If this crazy year or your family or the holidays or politics or your neighbor's barking dog or your inability to get the ketchup bottle lid back on straight has pushed you to the breaking point:

Do not be afraid to seek help.

Check out the Crisis Text Line where you can simply text CONNECT to 741741 from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisis to receive help from a trained crisis counselor. These incredible people save lives.

Additional resources are also available from NAMI.

If I can help in some way, please let me know. Email is always the best way to reach me.

Sharing is caring!
If you enjoyed this email, please forward it to a friend!
If you received this from a friend and would like to sign up, please do so here.