“You have no idea what is coming your way!” That was the single phrase that made my bucket overflow.

It was March 12th, and I was again consuming more and more about the Coronavirus. We are in a time where information about the virus is everywhere and it’s hard to avoid. Over time all this consumption became like drops of informational water in my emotional bucket.

Before March 12th, my bucket was absorbing the drops of information relatively well, but without realizing it my bucket was teetering on overflowing. After reading a Facebook story from a woman living in Milan who said in her post,  “You have no idea what is coming your way!” my bucket tipped over and a wave of worry, fear, and anxiety came pouring out.

I kept picturing a tidal wave of screaming-panicked people coming at me and I had no where to run, hide, or find safety.

I started to feel very anxious and worried

I cried because my bucket had overflowed

I felt like I needed to get out and get away. 

So, I did…

I grabbed my snowboarding gear and headed to my car as fast as I could. I sped to the mountain driving 90 miles an hour most of the way. I kept thinking, “I just need to get on the mountain and get on my snowboard.”
Once there, I popped in my ear buds and cranked up the music to help drown out my thoughts. As I came to the top of the chair lift, it was like time stopped:

The sun was shining

The mountains were awe inspiring

The snow sparkled in the sun

I let myself breathe and exhale and just-be-in-the-moment

I rode for an hour non-stop. With each run, the tidal wave of panic got smaller and smaller till it was just a ripple.

Since March 12th, I have had moments where I notice my bucket filling back up; at which time I stop and pour it out so it doesn’t overflow. I pour out it out by exercising at home, going for a walk in my neighborhood, doing yard work, coaching clients, turning off the news, and giving extra kisses and snuggles to my dog Penny.

I am learning that during this time: I have control.

I control what I watch.
I control what I read.
I control how much is too much.

When I start to feel my bucket filling up, I am allowed to turn off the t.v. or turn off social media. 

I have never been thru this before. None of us have. And because of that, I am allowing myself to be Certain in the Uncertainty and to ride the wave rather than run away from it.
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Karen Tran - Seattle Life Coach
www.karentrancoaching.com

My husband and I bought our home in the summer of 2013. We had moved from a condo in the city where not knowing your neighbor was the norm, and phones were used to avoid the awkward elevator chat. 

We were parents to a one year old and I was a stay at home mom. I began to take daily walks in the hopes of meeting my neighbors and creating a community.
I had envisioned neighbors outside in their yards, kids running around, and a friendly wave and hello as we walked by.

But...none of that happened. It was like a ghost town day and night. 

I questioned:
Did we buy the right home?
Did we move to the wrong neighborhood?
Where is everyone?

I began to get very lonely, sad, and a little depressed. 
I started to resent my home - my neighborhood - and my situation.

It's amazing what a lack of community and loneliness can do to someone. 

I had all but given up hope when one day it happened: A family moved in. Soon after, a few more families moved into the neighborhood. Suddenly, my walks with were met with a smile and a wave and eventually a friendly chat.

Today my neighborhood is what I always dreamed it would be: A Connected Community of Friends who also Happen to be Neighbors.

If your feeling a loss of connection and community - Put down your phone and take a chance.

Smile at someone
Wave at someone
Have a conversation face to face
Be the connection that someone is needing in their life


"When one person connects to another a community grows."
 - Karen Tran
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Karen Tran Seattle Life Coach
www.karentrancoaching.com 

"Never turn down the volume of who you are for anyone. When the world attempts to shush you, shame you, silence you, or tells you to act normal, please don’t."  - Marie Forleo

Years ago I had a friend tell me, "you are too happy. It's hard to be around you sometimes because you are too happy."
What my friend failed to realize on that day; my happiness was a direct result of her. That day, I was happy because I was spending time with a friend who I loved, enjoyed, laughed with, and yes - made me happy. 

I was crushed in that moment. Suddenly being me was somehow wrong.

I remember thinking, " Maybe she is right. I should turn down the volume on my happiness." 

Did I turn down my volume? Yeah, I tried for a while. Try being the word. But it wasn't me. I couldn't help but be happy when I surrounded myself with friends and people. I am an extrovert. I get energy from people. It makes me happy!

Trying to turn down my volume was trying to deny who I was. I was trying to conform and be less happy to make others feel happier. Read that again. I was trying to be less happy to make others happy. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that formula does not work.

What does work? Being you. 

We all get happy. We all get sad. We all don't feel our best all the time. But if you are feeling happy - don't turn it down. Share your happiness. Adjusting your volume is not how you bring someone else’s up.  

#toohappy
#beyou
#dontadjustyourvolume

Karen Tran Seattle Life Coach www.karentrancoaching.com

Are you someone who dreads Monday? Not looking forward to going to work or school?

A quick change in how you look at Monday is possible.

Try this: Instead of saying “I have to go to work tomorrow”, change the have to get.

“I get to go to work tomorrow.”

This is a simple tool for incorporating gratitude in your life.

One small mindset shift overtime can have a large impact on the way you look at your life.
​
#changehavetointogetto #gratitude
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