TGIF with Debb: Letting Go Feels Lighter

Dear Diary,

Here we are. Welcome to my very first TGIF with Debb! TGIF stands for: Truth. Growth. Inspiration. Fun! I know ... I changed the name. For those of you who've been reading along, Spill the Tea Tuesday has officially retired. Even Rui said, "Aww my love, you're changing it? I liked the tea." Me too! I considered Friday Flow with Debb, Freshly Brewed Friday, Fill Your Cup Friday and even Spill the Tea Friday. But it just doesn't have the same ring to it. Not that I'm picky, obviously. And then I realized, I don't have to get it perfect. I just have to decide. Fridays work better and Fridays are better. Period. And if I change my mind again one day (because that's what I do), I hope you'll role with it and still join me on this journey. Still the same me. Still the same insights. Still the same shenanigans. That's kind of what this season of my life is all about. Trying. Changing. Growing. And letting go.

The Knot I Didn't Know I Had

If you've been reading along, you know I've been going through a career transition.

After a lot of thought (and overthinking), I've decided to step away from the parts of my job that drain me and create more space for the things that light me up! Teaching, writing, coaching, retreats ... the things that make me feel like ... me. Something happened this week. That little knot in my stomach disappeared. The funny thing is that

I didn't even realize how long it had been there until it was gone. That's how stress works right? We carry it for so long that it quietly becomes part of us. Until one day, it isn't. I've also made more time for self-care this week, and I know that's helped too. Actually, if you're up for it, try something. Relax your stomach. Seriously. Not your shoulders. Not your jaw. Your stomach. Can you feel it soften? Now check in with yourself later today. I bet you'll catch yourself holding tension there again without even realizing it. It's crazy what our bodies hold onto. And it's even more crazy what happens when we finally let something go.

Alright Mel... Let's See What You've Got

This week I listened to Mel Robbins' newest podcast called "9 Small Things That Will Help You Feel Amazing Again." I thought, "Alright Mel... let's see what you've got."

Instead of just listening, I decided to actually try a few of her suggestions this week.

Some made me laugh. Some made me think. Some reminded me that the simplest things really do make the biggest difference. Here are my favourites...

1. Believe You Can Change

Henry Ford said it best: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right."

That one always gets me. It reminds me of this one time (not at band camp). I was in a hot yoga class (as a student). The instructor looked at me during standing-head-to-knee pose (super hard pose btw). My face was probably saying, "I can't! This is hard!" and he looked at me and said, "Pick up your foot Debb. Try again. If you think you can't you can't, if you think you can, you can!" Ugh, f*ck you Paul. I picked up my foot. I guess I just needed him to remind me to believe in myself. This applies in so many worlds, doesn't it. If you believe you can't find a new job, can't find love, can't get healthier,

can't create change, what are the chances you'll even try? Probably zero. But if you believe you can, you'll take the first step. You'll pick up your foot again and again. Through the challenges. Through the thoughts. Through the struggles. That's exactly where I am. Do I know exactly what's next? No. Is it scary? Duh. But I believe I'll figure it out. So I made space for it, because if I never try, I'll never know. So, I'd better fuckin' try. And so should you. Jus sayin' ;)

2. Sleep... More Than You Think

This one made me laugh because I thought I was already getting eight hours. Well ... It turns out, my math skills need some help. Monday night: Bed at 10:30. Read for a bit. Lights out at 11pm. Fell asleep around 11:15. Alarm at 6:30am. That's not eight hours, Debb. That's seven hours and fifteen minutes (in case your math skills suck too!). ;)

Tuesday wasn't much better. I was in bed by 10pm thinking, "I've got this!" Then...

Hormones. Headache. Couldn't fall asleep for almost an hour. Then came the night sweats. Thanks, perimenopause. How I love you so. Wednesday night was finally the winner. Fell asleep around 10:45. Alarm at 7:30. Eight hours and fifteen minutes. Boom!

And the interesting part is that the alarm woke me up, so that means I probably could've slept longer. Lesson learned. Maybe I need eight and a half hours, not eight. Especially during certain times of the month. Like right now. Last night. 3am. WIDE awake. I gave up, grabbed a blanket, headed to the couch, turned the TV on low and watched an episode of Who's the Boss? I know. It reminds me of my childhood. Simple. Funny. Comforting. Cheesey. Eventually I fell back asleep. Not exactly Mel's recommendation, but it worked.

3. Get Outside

Mel talks about getting morning sunlight. Simple. So I decided to move my morning routine outside this week. Meditation. Morning stretches. Affirmations. Then coffee and gratitude journal. All on my deck. And honestly, it felt amazing. This has been my morning routine for years by the way (yes ... even on vacation, but inside). Sometimes I skip a Sunday, but for the most part, it's a non-negotiable. Since March 2020. Crazy times call for calm measures. That routine stuck throughout the ebb and flow of life since then. Back to 2026. Mornings set me up. Physically, mentally, energetically. Mother Nature really is medicine. If you've never tried creating a quiet little morning ritual, maybe this weekend is your sign.

4. Walk It Off

If I'm stressed, I walk. If I'm overthinking, I walk. If life feels heavy, I walk. This one reminded me of when I lived in Australia. (I was teaching yoga there for 6 months).

I didn't have a car. Well ... technically there was one I could use. But there was no f*ckin' way I was driving a manual station wagon on the "wrong" side of the road with Bikram Yoga Southside plastered down the side. True story. So ... I walked everywhere.

Sometimes for hours. Looking back, those walks weren't just transportation. They were therapy. They cleared my head. They reminded me life was good. Funny how that still works today. Heavy day? Walk it off.

5. Stop talking

I know. Sounds weird, right? Mel talked about listening. Really. Truly. Listening, instead of talking. I wrote about this before in a previous blog but I love reminders.

So I tried it. And wow. Do we ever love saying, "Me too!" When I say "we", I mean me.

We're human. It's our nature. We're always trying to relate. To fix. To advise. To jump in.

This week I challenged myself to simply "shut the f*ck up!" And just listen. It's called a challenge for a reason. It's different. And very interesting. Introspection is cool. Or maybe I'm just weird. I noticed I wasn't waiting for the other person to stop talking.

I wasn't planning my reply. I was just listening. There's a difference. Maybe that's something we could all practice a little more. Yes, me included for sure. Try it out. Let me know how it goes. I'll listen. Promise.

6. Clear the Clutter

Confession. I have "the chair." You know the one. Not dirty enough for the laundry.

Not clean enough for the closet. So it becomes the chair where I pile clothes on. Why Debb? It literally takes two seconds to hang the shirt back up. This week I started putting things away right away. Small change. Big difference. Now, let's talk about Rui.

He has a thing. Receipts to be exact. Sooooo many receipts. By his night table, by the kitchen counter stuffed underneath the bread basket and by the front door key area tray. One day, while Rui was at work, I gathered every single one I found around the house and made a giant pile on the counter with a little love note: "Hi my love. I was cleaning the house and wasn't sure if you needed these? If they're important? If not, maybe they can go? lol ... just sayin', love you!" Then I went off to work and I knew he'd read my love note alone. He texted me, "Hi my love. I like your note. I put the papers in the garbage. Chicken for dinner?" Perfect! Clutter gone and chicken for dinner. Months later he looked at another pile and said, "I'd better put these away before I get another love note." True story! We all have our quirks. Mine is the chair. His is receipts. The point is, clear space really does create a clearer mind.

7. Smile more! It brightens your mood (and releases "happy hormones")

Years ago, when I was teaching in Mississauga, I had a student who smiled throughout the entire 90-minute hot yoga class. Seriously. The whole class. One day I finally asked, "Hey Christine! I noticed you smiling during the whole class. Even while you're lying down in Savasana (resting/corpse pose). I'd love to know your why. Everyone else looks so serious and when I watch you, I can't help but smile too." She smiled (bigger) and said,"Because if I look at myself in the mirror with a serious face, I feel defeated. Exhausted. Even doubtful that I can make it through class. But if I smile, I feel better and believe that I can. It's kinda like a "fake it 'til you make it deal." It works!" I've never forgotten that. Kinda like the quote above. The smile helped her believe that she could. After having this Mel reminder to smile more, I smiled at a woman in Dollarama this week and told her I loved her dress. She smiled right back and said, "Aww... thank you! I love your nail polish." Two strangers. Two smiles. Both walked away a little happier. Funny how that works. It's always the little things. Simple. Easy. We make it hard in our minds. Stranger danger! I always think strangers are just people we don't know (yet). The next stranger could be the love of your life. Shout out to my single ladies! Smile. Yes, at cute strangers. It shows you're friendly, confident (and likely single).

My TGIF Challenge For You

You don't have to change your whole life this weekend obviously. Maybe just try one thing. Maybe go to bed a little earlier. Maybe take a walk. Drink your coffee outside.

Smile at a stranger. Relax your stomach. Believe you can change. One small thing.

That's all. Sometimes, the biggest changes begin with the smallest choices. And maybe, just maybe ... you'll discover a knot you didn't even know you were carrying.

Until you finally let it go.

Until next Friday ...

Keep seeking the truth.

Keep growing.

Keep looking for inspiration.

And don't forget to have a little fun.

TGIF!

Truth. Growth. Inspiration. Fun!

Building strength, mindset, and real-life consistency … one breath at a time :)

💗 Yoga Debb