Tag: Mindfulness

Healthy Habits, Mindfulness, Relationships

Inspire Change in Your Partner Without Nagging

Corie Muldoon

You can’t change anyone. But you can inspire them.

If you’re frustrated with your partner’s habits, whether it’s…

  • phone use
  • communication style
  • dishes left in the sink
  • or how they show up in your relationship

Here’s the truth: nagging won’t work. Lectures won’t work. Ultimatums create temporary change but build resentment

Here’s what does work: Becoming the person you want them to be

The principle: People mirror energy more than they follow advice

Try this instead:

  • Model the behavior you want to see. Want more presence? Put your phone down first. Want a cleaner kitchen? Do your dishes without commentary. Want better communication? Speak clearly about your needs without expecting them to read your mind.
  • Focus on what you can control. Annoyed by how they load the dishwasher or leave their shoes by the door? You have two choices: do it yourself without resentment, or let it go. Complaining about it just drains both of you.
  • Master the first thought/second thought moment. When your partner says something that surprises you or feels like criticism, pause. Your first thought is reactive, probably defensive. Your second thought is intentional. Take that beat. Respond from clarity, not emotion. Be the person who doesn’t freak out when someone brings you something hard. That calm? It’s a decision you make in the moment, every time.
  • Hold your boundaries without apology. “I need quiet when I’m resting” isn’t controlling, it’s self-respect. Say it once, mean it, and follow through.
  • Stop over-functioning. If you’re managing their awareness, handling their responsibilities, or softening every hard moment for them, you’re robbing them of growth. Let them experience natural consequences.
  • Celebrate progress, not perfection. When they show up better, acknowledge it. Positive reinforcement beats criticism every time.

Here’s the truth: Your partner’s growth is their responsibility, not yours. You’re not their teacher, therapist, or project manager. You’re their equal.

The benefit? When you focus on what you can control: your actions, responses, and boundaries, you stop exhausting yourself trying to change someone else. You become happier. More peaceful. And ironically? That peace becomes magnetic. They’ll either rise to meet you, or they won’t. Either way, you’re good.

Try this today: Pick ONE behavior you’ve been nagging about. Stop talking about it. Instead, model the opposite for 30 days and see what happens. And the next time something catches you off guard, take that breath between first and second thought. Choose your response.

Share your thoughts below!

Books, Healthy Habits, Let Them Theory, Mental Health

When Comments Catch You Off Guard: Let Them and Let Me

Corie Muldoon

“Let Them & Let Me” is a mindset strategy from Mel Robbins:

“Let them” means accepting you can’t control others’ actions, thoughts, or moods (e.g. “Let them be wrong” or “Let them act that way”)

“Let me” is the powerful follow-up, reclaiming your agency by focusing on your own control: your responses, boundaries, and choices (“Let me focus on my own well-being” or “Let me choose my reaction”)

It shifts energy from trying to change others to managing your inner world, creating peace and protecting your time.

Using “let them let me” in real life

Someone says something weird about your relationship, your choices, your body – and suddenly you’re spiraling. Here’s your next move: pause and ask yourself two questions before you react or think too deeply.

Why this works: Most uncomfortable comments aren’t actually attacks – they’re projections. But our brains treat social weirdness like threats, triggering overthinking and defensiveness. These questions help you sort what’s actually happening from what you’re making it mean.

The two-question check:

  • “Did this cross a line, or did it just catch me off guard?” (Boundary violation vs. surprise)
  • “Is this about me, or about them?” (Usually it’s their worldview, insecurity, or social conditioning talking)

If it caught you off guard but didn’t cross a line, a simple response like “that’s not really our style” or “we’re good, thanks” works. No explanation needed.

If it did cross a line, you get to set a boundary – calmly but clearly. Try: “I’m not comfortable discussing that” or “That’s not something I’m open to feedback on.”

Either way, you don’t owe anyone your internal processing or justification for your choices.

Try this today:

Next time a comment feels weird, hit pause. Ask the two questions. Respond (or don’t) from clarity, not reactivity.

I just went through this yesterday. A customer at work made a weird comment and I spiraled. I didn’t have these two questions to bounce back on, but I did have my husband. We peeled back the onion together and realized that I didn’t actually want to punch them in the face, that they just made me feel weird and caught me off guard. Sigh of relief.

It’s really never that deep. I’m glad I spoke up because my hubby and I had a great convo and we’re stronger because of it. It’s not surrendering, it’s let them and let me (Joey’s reading Let Them by Mel Robbins!)

Share your thoughts below!

Holistic Healing, Movement, Seasonal - Holidays

5 Movement Flows to Refresh Your Body for the New Year

Corie Muldoon

New year, new movement flows! Skip the extreme fitness resolutions. These five simple movement flows will help you reset your body and feel energized without overwhelming your schedule.

Why movement flows work:

They combine mobility, strength, and mindfulness in one efficient sequence. Perfect for busy people who want maximum benefits in minimal time.

Remember: Motion is lotion! Keep your daily dose of movement flow top of mind. Write your notes out on a post-it note and put it somewhere you’ll see it (that part!)

5 flows to refresh:

1. Morning Sun Salutations – 5 rounds to wake up your spine and boost energy –> raise arms, forward fold, plank, cobra, to downward dog

2. Desk Break Flow – Neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, seated twists (3 minutes every hour) –> consider using a yoga ball as your work chair

3. Evening Wind-Down – Cat-cow, child’s pose, gentle spinal twists before bed –> single nostril breathing, calm environment with some tea

4. Weekend Warrior – 20-minute yoga flow combining strength and stretch –> longer holds, deep breathing, trying new movements

5. Micro-Movement Bursts – Squats, lunges, arm circles throughout your day –> even a minute of movement adds up overtime

These flows improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, enhance circulation, and calm your nervous system. No gym required. No equipment needed. Just you and intentional movement.

Try this today:

Pick 1 of the 5 flows that feels good to you and commit to it for 7 days (keep track on your post-it note). Notice how your body feels.

I love burning a candle or some incense before a flow. Cleanses the space making room for healing energy to come through. Setting the intention: “out with the old, in with the new, letting go of all troubles, mind and body renewed.” Little mind body spirit mantra I made up that I’ve been loving.

Share your thoughts below!

Mental Health, Mindfulness, Seasonal - Holidays

Daily Candle Rituals for Stress Relief This Holiday Season

Corie Muldoon

Skip the expensive self-care products. This holiday season, strengthen your spirit with the oldest ritual in the book: lighting a candle.

Here’s why it works: the simple act of lighting a candle signals your brain that it’s time to pause. That flame becomes focal point, a micro-meditation.

The simple act of lighting a candle can ground us when holiday chaos peaks. And it’s my favorite way to bring some warmth and comfort into my home!

Your new daily candle rituals:

  • Morning reset: Light a candle while you drink coffee. Watch the flame for 60 seconds before checking your phone
  • Evening wind-down: Light a candle during dinner prep or while journaling. Let it mark the transition from “doing” to “being”
  • Stress relief: Feeling overwhelmed? Light a candle, take three deep breaths, and watch the flame dance

Lighting a candle is all about the intentional pause you’re creating.

Try this today: Buy a pack of tealight candles and light one during a transition in your day. Notice how it shifts your energy!

I bought cute little candle holders from the dollar store and 6-hour burning time tea lights from amazon. They bring me so much joy and help me slow down :p

Share your thoughts below!

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!