Tag: Mental Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Is your life today what you pictured a year ago?

Corie Muldoon

This time last year, I was serving part time planning to explore other career options – maybe go all in on real estate or do something completely new like social media marketing for small businesses. I was considering it all, even going back to school.

For the past few years, my biggest hurdle was finding a job I could actually tolerate, consistent, and flexible (knowing my personality). I’m 29, real estate license, no college, serving experience, fitness training experience, marketing experience.

I looked into every possible option. Wrote them all out. I tried something new with some warehouse work – even pitched my marketing ideas. Things we’re cool, but the work hurt (packaging all day) and the pay wasn’t enough all said and done.

As time went on, I just felt a pull back to serving and I started to consider what life would be like if I went all in (open up 7 days a week availability – avg 5 nights a week). Something I didn’t consider as an option before.

Through research, I found most jobs are day jobs. Serving offers 2nd shift – 3-11pm. Perfect for me. I get my workout and lunch in, walks with my dog, and quality time with my hubby (who also serves full time, same schedule). Check.

Most jobs don’t have much flexibility. I’m the type to want to take off for 2 months and go roadtrip (did this in 2024 southeast usa) – and serving let’s me do that. We go during the slower months for a nice reset. This upcoming year we already have 6 camping trips booked, something we couldn’t do say if we had “real jobs” like union or corporate. Check.

So I eventually realized I needed to choose my job based on the lifestyle I wanted. Making great money, maxing out retirement accounts, saving up for that next rental, health insurance locked in, minimal taxes. Plus my days feel like two in one, since I get my whole day with my hubby and pup, then head into work WITH my hubby and we rock serving together (sometimes in the same section). Check, check, check, check, check, AND CHECK.

Life’s been super fun since going all in on serving. I have one focus. I’m not trying to build a business. I’m not looking for or even entertaining side work (sorry to those ignored along the way lol). I work, I leave, and I leave the work at work. Nothing to figure out. I learn from my mistakes and keep growing and improving. It’s a beautiful cycle.

As I’m writing this, it’s 12:00pm on a Tuesday in December. I’m in the back bedroom at our writing desk, with the window next to me slightly open, a nice winter chill. We just had a snowfall, the trees are lookin gorgeous. The sun is shining in. I feel safe and warm. I feel free. Our pup champ is laying on his side next to me snoring. My hubs is in the kitchen eating lunch. I’m about to take Champ out for a walk, then get ready for our shift tonight. Life is good.

If you like my story, Joe was going through a similar career journey the same time I was – read more about his story here

With all that being said, let’s just say, no this isn’t where I thought we’d be a year ago – this is so much better.

Healthy Habits, Mindfulness, Mindset

How to Forgive and Let Go for Emotional Healing

Corie Muldoon

With the Scorpio New Moon here (deep, intense, and super transformative), I challenged myself to sit down and think deeper.

What am I holding to? What am I not forgiving myself or others for? Do negative thoughts keeping popping up around certain situations? I may need to add it to my list of Forgive and Let Go.

After sitting down for a few minutes, I wrote out 10 situations involving multiple people that still bother me. I was blown away at how much I’ve been holding onto, not fully letting go of. They came quick to mind once I let it all come up without judging right or wrong.

How am I gonna juggle all these situations emotionally moving forward? I know this pain is real, there’s no denying – but in order to heal, I know I have to truly FORGIVE AND LET GO. BUT HOW?! Here are my notes below:

3 Steps to Forgive and Let Go

1. Acknowledge the hurt and emotions 

  • Recognize the pain: Acknowledge the emotional pain caused by the offense and how it has affected you.
  • Name your feelings: Recognize and allow yourself to feel emotions like anger, sadness, betrayal, or resentment without judgment. Suppressing them won’t make them disappear.
  • Process your feelings: Share your feelings by journaling, talking to a trusted friend or counselor, or taking a similar action, like writing a letter you don’t send. 

2. Understand and gain perspective

  • Consider the context: Reflect on the surrounding circumstances to better understand what happened.
  • Humanize the other person: Try to understand the other person’s motives or circumstances without excusing their behavior. Empathy for their frailties as a human being can make it easier to show compassion.
  • Let go of unrealistic expectations: Release the belief that things should have been different. Expect reality to be as it is, which can reduce resentment. 

3. Make a conscious choice to forgive

  • Decide to forgive: Make a deliberate choice to forgive, understanding that it is for your own emotional and mental health.
  • Release resentment: Practice letting go of negative feelings and thoughts and replace them with healthier coping mechanisms.
  • Commit to it: Forgiveness is an ongoing process. Recommit to letting go on days when feelings resurface. Focus on today and the future instead of dwelling on the past.

Personal growth is all about getting a little bit better, stronger, healthier, more open-minded each day. Bringing awareness to the things that have been pulling me down is liberating. I’ll be working on them on-goingly and will report back here about how my overall well-being and peace of mind have been affected.

Forgive and let go my friends!

“Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff.” – Richard Carlson

Remember: techniques like journaling, talking to a trusted friend or counselor, or setting boundaries can help majorly with forgiving and letting go.

I also found that genuine prayer helps me heal. I pray for myself and those around me. The more I pray, the more I forgive, let go, and ultimately heal. I can feel the transformation within, and can feel the energy around me and those I pray for shift. Deep calmness. Almost like an emotional and spiritual reset.

It’s my responsibility to tend my garden, to pull weeds and water flowers. Using this blog as a tool to work on emotional pain and forgiveness.

Progress over perfection.

x Cor

> see free mental health resources here <

Getting Started, Healthy Habits, Mental Health

Express Feelings Positively with the ‘I Feel’ Framework

Corie Muldoon

Here are my notes for communicating feelings and needs to others in a productive, positive way:

Instead of bottling up emotions or exploding in frustration, let’s work on expressing our thoughts, feelings, and needs in a productive and positive way. This is one of my biggest weaknesses (continuing and never-ending improvement). It’s been fun learning new ways to process emotions and express myself.

The “I Feel” Framework helps you communicate what’s really going on without any blame or judgment.

Why it works: When you start with “I feel” instead of “You always” or “You never,” you take ownership of your emotions while inviting understanding instead of defensiveness. It transforms conflicts into conversations.

The “I Feel” Framework:

1. Name it:“I feel [frustrated/overwhelmed/hurt]…”

2. Link it: “…when [specific situation happens]…”

3. Need it: “…because I need [respect/support/help].”

4. Ask for it: “Would you be willing to [specific action]?”

Example: Instead of “You never help around here” … try: “I feel overwhelmed when the chores pile up because I need some team work”. Would you be willing to handle dishes after dinner?”

This approach validates your feelings, explains the impact, and offers a clear path forward. No one gets defensive, everyone gets heard.

Try this today: Next time you feel frustrated, pause and run through the “I Feel” Framework before speaking. Notice how the conversation shifts.

Share your thoughts below!

Books, Mental Health, Mindfulness, The Power of Now

Release Emotional Pain: 3 Simple Ways to Heal Your Pain-Body

Corie Muldoon

Eckhart Tolle’s concept of the “pain-body” explains why past hurts keep surfacing.

The pain-body is our accumulated emotional pain, that feeds on negative thoughts and reactions.

The good news? You can start to heal your emotional pain-body today!

3 Ways to Heal Your Pain-Body

  • Practice presence when triggered – When emotional pain arises, don’t fight it or identify with it. Simply observe it without judgment. This awareness starves the pain-body of the reaction it craves
  • Breathe through the discomfort – Take 5 deep breaths when you feel old emotions surfacing. Your focused attention on breath interrupts the pain-body’s automatic patterns
  • Name what you’re feeling – Say to yourself: “I notice sadness” instead of “I am sad.” This creates distance between your true self and the pain-body. Check out the Feelings Wheel tool below:

Why this works: The pain-body loses power when exposed to conscious awareness. It can only survive in unconsciousness: in your automatic reactions and resistance

Try this today: Next time you feel upset, pause and ask yourself: “Is this my pain-body reacting to something from my past?” Just asking shifts you into presence so you can begin healing

Share your thoughts below!

Healthy Habits, Mental Health

Own Your Emotions: The Daily Check-In That Changes Everything

Corie Muldoon

The Daily Check-In: A simple 5-minute emotional check-in that helps you express feelings honestly without blaming others or spiraling into self-criticism.

Most of us either bottle up emotions or let them explode… both hurt our relationships and well-being.

The middle ground is taking ownership of your feelings while staying accountable, without dragging yourself or others down.

Here’s how to make it an everyday practice:

1. Set a daily alarm for your check-in – Morning coffee or lunch break works great

2. Ask yourself: “What am I feeling right now?” – Happy, sad, angry? Use the Feelings Chart to get more specific (see end of post)

3. Verbalize your emotions using “I feel” statements instead of “you made me feel” – owning emotions is about your experience, not assigning fault

4. Acknowledge your role without harsh self-judgment – “I could have handled that better” is way better than “I’m such a mess”

This practice builds emotional awareness and keeps small frustrations from becoming big explosions. You’ll communicate more clearly, relationships improve, and that constant mental chatter will quiet down.

Try this today: Set a daily alarm for your check-in. Tomorrow when it goes off, pause for just 3 minutes and run through questions 2-4: what are you feeling, create “I feel” statement, and acknowledge your role in any conflicts. Notice what comes up… no judgment, just awareness.

Share your thoughts below!

The Feelings Chart

General, Healthy Habits, Lifestyle

Engaging Hobbies for Personal Growth and Well-being

Corie Muldoon

In your free time, you can build various skills through hobbies like DIY crafts, gardening, and cooking, or learn new skills such as programming, playing an instrument, or a foreign language

You can also build your knowledge by reading books and watching educational videos, create tangible objects like jewelry or art, or foster personal growth by volunteering, exercising, and journaling

Creative & Crafty Hobbies

  • DIY Projects: Decorate your home with crafts, try making jewelry, or build something using natural resources
  • Art & Design: Learn to paint, draw, or create graphic designs
  • Writing & Blogging: Start a blog about a topic you’re passionate about or write short stories
  • Origami & Other Crafts: Fold paper with origami or try knitting and crocheting
  • Gardening: Plant a flower or vegetable garden and enjoy the results of your labor

Learning & Intellectual Pursuits

  • New Language: Learn a foreign language, which can offer professional and social benefits
  • Programming: Explore the world of coding and programming. 
  • Music: Learn to play a new musical instrument
  • Reading: Read books on various subjects or catch up on news and editorials
  • Cooking & Baking: Try new recipes and develop your cooking skills

Personal Development & Well-being

  • Physical Activity: Exercise to boost your mood and energy, or go on walks and bike rides
  • Mindfulness & Meditation: Practice meditation and mindfulness to relax and focus on the present
  • Volunteering: Contribute your time and skills to a cause you care about. 
  • Journaling: Keep a journal to reflect on your thoughts and goals
  • Organization: Organize your physical space and digital files

Other Activities

  • Photography: Take photos and visit state parks
  • Visiting New Places: Explore local cafes, restaurants, and new neighborhoods
  • Social Activities: Spend quality time with friends and family, or join a book club or sports team

Share your thoughts below!