“I Hate My Life”

I know it’s one heck of a title, but when you listen to the podcast you’ll understand.

Meme: Image of multiple granny smith (green) apples. One is spoiled and shriveled up. Text states: “Sometimes when circumstances in our lives are challenging, we’ll feel like EVERYTHING is bad. It’s important to note the difference.” — Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist mdillondesigns.com/blog
Tap the play button to listen to today’s podcast. Tap & hold first if necessary, then tap play.
FYI I cuss so wait ’til the kids and elders aren’t around. Press play to listen to today’s podcast. Blessings!

On today’s podcast I talk about the challenge of letting our thoughts run wild without noticing, or checking, them. When we start to focus on what is bothering us, it’s very easy to end up making a list of all the other things that suck in our lives. Depending how on often we do that, it can be very easy to go from “this thing is bothering me” to “everything sucks around here.”

On this episode, I talk about that “slippery slope,” and how I found myself on it, today….. So check out the podcast for a possibly relatable storytime. Don’t worry it’s not heavy.

Listen above.

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

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Be Kind When You Slip Up

This is a repost of a podcast I recorded in June of 2024. I heard it today and it was so relevant that I decided to share it again. Check it out.

We can be so hard on ourselves.

“When you notice that you’re slipping back into old habits, be kind to yourself. The fact that even you noticed shows growth. Do what you need to get centered.” M D I L L O N D E S I G N S . C O M / B L O G — Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist
Press play to listen to today’s podcast. FYI I cuss so wait ’til the kids and elders aren’t around. Blessings!

When we’re on this journey toward becoming more of our truest selves, we will have slip ups. It’s just part of it.

We need to be kinder to ourselves and recognize that many of our patterns of thinking and ways of being have been solidified over time. We’ve been thinking certain ways, responding certain ways, and expecting life to show up for us in certain ways for not just days, or months… sometimes for DECADES.

Why do we think a habit that took years to make, will be gone in days? It’s not realistic. We could do well for a week, or a month, but if life starts lifin’ (or we get hangry), it’s really easy to shift back to our old default setting. It’s familiar.

We need to realize that the fact that we even noticed that we are doing that thing again shows we’ve grown. There was a time when we didn’t notice. There was a time when it was our default setting. There was a time when it was so natural that we would just go on being and doing as normal.

The fact that we noticed is something we should celebrate. We’re growing. We’re shifting. We’re becoming aware. And that means we’re making progress. So let’s be kind to ourselves.

Let’s notice what’s going on that led to us slipping into that old pattern. Were you hungry? Were you around a certain person from your past? Were you feeling physically uncomfortable? Something as simple as the tag in your shirt rubbing against the back of your neck, or being too hot/cold, sleepy, or hungry could cause you to slip into that old default setting. Check in with yourself. And be kind to yourself.

Anywho…. check out today’s episode. I think it’ll be helpful, if this resonated with you.

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

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Day 3 “Be Kind When You Slip Up” #IAMtheONE Share & Let’s Live! #Podcast Series w/ Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist
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Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

On my Share & Let’s Live! podcast, I share tips and tools that are transforming my life and mindset every single day. If you appreciate this FREE daily podcast (and are able), please send me a $5 matcha or purchase a membership to support. (If you’re unable, please know I understand.) Thank you so much for being here!

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Gratitude Your Way Out

Sometimes life is challenging and we go through seasons where it’s hard to be positive.

Meme: Image: Closeup of a key in a car ignition. Forms black background for large white text outlined in blue and brown. Text states: “Sometimes it takes effort to focus in positive ways. AND it is possible. Just like we can list what’s wrong, we can list what’s right.” — Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist mdillondesigns.com/blog
Tap the play button to listen to today’s podcast. Tap & hold first if necessary, then tap play.
FYI I cuss so wait ’til the kids and elders aren’t around. Press play to listen to today’s podcast. Blessings!

Over the last few days, I’ve been intentional about noticing when I’m spiraling into a negative headspace. I don’t shame myself for it. I just pause, place my hand over my heart, close my eyes, and slow down my breathing. And when I feel a little more centered, I start making a list of what I can be grateful for in that moment.

This is a new practice for me. And it feels really empowering to be able to get control of my emotions and my mind when things feel overwhelming. Right now happens to be one of those moment. So as I am typing this, I am listening to a guided meditation on Insight Timer, WHILE listening to water sounds on YouTube.

We’ve gotta do what we’ve gotta do to gain more control of our minds and emotions. And choosing to write gratitude lists—even just saying them and not writing them down—helps. That little shift of focus can sometimes bring immediate shifts in our experiences.

On today’s podcast, I share about having that experience. I share quite a few stories actually. I think the primary theme is that there’s gratitude to be found in any moment, even the ones that feel real sh*tty. It’s not easy, but it’s possible. And I explain how to do it.

So check out today’s podcast. Sending you much love.

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Writing My Way Thru It

Every once in a while (more this year than ever), I use poetry to vent, get things off my chest, make sense of life….

This is one of those times….

Ugh. Not sure if that’s a word

Just annoyed and no better way to describe but…. ugh

Ultimately failing at life. At least that’s how I feel.

Genuinely over the effort of it all… the work, the flops, the failures, that not-enoughness…

Hhhhhh… hard to phonetically recreate the sound of an extended, exasperated sigh, but hhhhhhhh will have to do.

Over it. Not like, gonna do something about it, over it. But more like “this f*cking sucks,” shake my first to the heavens, roll my eyes, cry a little (or a lottle) and then get back in line and go through the motions until the wave hits me again next month.

Whether it’s hormones, or bill due dates, end of month poverty, or real legit troubles, I’m gonna ride this wave tonight like the thousands before.

Gonna close my eyes and sleep. Gonna wake and do my roles….

Gonna cry a little. Maybe sigh a little.

Gonna find reasons to smile and laugh and sing. Gonna slowly, but surely, release this thing….

This inner beast that won’t let me go. The one that resurfaces monthly to tempt me to go.

But the truth that shines light is I’ve been here before. Since twelve, a preteen with a heart that was sore.

Took a long while to catch on to the signs, this monthly routine that goes on in my mind….

I found a key phrase that shows up every time. The “sound” that alerts me like dropping a dime.

I know when I hear it to start breathing slow, to not take it serious, to know it will go.

So though this month feels way worse than before. I heard that key phrase from my heart that’s still sore.

No need for alarm, just breathe slow. It will pass. We’ve been here before. We know it won’t last…..

I saw a post a tonight. It was just a photo of a page of poetry. When I saw it, I remembered how writing helps me transition through these challenging moments. So I got on here to share my process, while writing my way through tough emotions.

It helped, as it always does.

Thanks for being here and for reading. If you know someone who struggles with depression, especially around the end/beginning of the months, maybe share it with them (if it feels like a good idea).

I hope this helps somebody. Much love and as always…

Blessings,

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Blessings,

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist