The problem is, when we start to place conditions on when, or how, or why we love ourselves, we’re not practicing self-love at all – what we’re creating is a transactional agreement that robs us of our joy. Because each time we inevitably break that agreement, we slowly chip away at our self-worth, until we lose our ability to appreciate what makes us unique – and accept ourselves as we are.

As part of my wellness interview series, meet Caley Alyssa.

Based in Los Angeles, Caley leads yoga classes, retreats, and workshops all over the world, in addition to teaching online through Alo Moves, mindbodygreen, BeachBody, and her YouTube channel. While her challenging classes focus on building strength and improving balance, her teaching style has become more spiritual over the years as meditation as shifted to the center of her practice.

It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving – and the start of the joyous holiday season – is already upon us. While I easily find joy in the celebration of abundance and presence, I know that for many of us, that joy gets buried beneath an onslaught of anxiety, stress, busy schedules, and overflowing to-do lists. Thanks to four simple practices that can be done any time of year, managing the stress we create for ourselves and maintaining the joy that underpins the very purpose of the holiday season may be simpler than you think.

Most of us give little thought to how our bodies move on a daily basis, or where we are physically in space. We move through our days at a hurried pace, focusing on the future or the past, instead of fully immersing ourselves in the present moment.

But what if we did?

We’ve all been trapped. Trapped in the vicious cycle of speeding up when we need to slow down, pushing forward when we need to hit pause. But the fact is, if we can’t find a way out – the stress, the exhaustion, the fatigue – will only keep us from moving forward.

 But what if the solution requires less effort and more ease?

As part of my wellness interview series, meet Ava Johanna.

Through her one-on-one mentorship, Ava holds space for others to get clear on their vision for the life they want to lead as well.  

“I think in order to live in alignment, we need to get clear on what our values are, who we are and what we want from this lifetime,” says Ava. “If we’re not clear on that – even if it’s as specific as what we want our days to look like – how will we even know if we’re living in alignment?"

Learning to recognize the difference between the leap that exhilarates you, inspires you to explore the world that’s within your grasp if you only reach for it – and the dive that glimmered with false promise but leaves you grasping for rough edges as you fight the free fall you’d never bargained for. Trusting the process –and the growth that accompanies new experiences – can only triumph if we learn how to read our internal compass. And the more we tune in with our intuition, the stronger the connection.

It happens to the best of us.

Negative self-talk, self-deprecating comments, words that chip away at the fragile container of our self-worth.

As a result, we second-guess our decisions, we shy away from new experiences and opportunities, and we lose sight of what makes us unique – until we’re only pale reflections of the people we’re meant to be. 

But we have the power to change the script when we choose a new inner monologue.

Imagine this: you wake up each morning excited to take on the day’s challenges, confident that you’re equipped to tackle whatever comes your way. You feel alive and at ease, calm and at peace – living in alignment with the unique skills, priorities, and passions that make you, you.

As part of my wellness interview series, meet Kate Van Horn.

From her own personal experience, Kate emphasizes that true healing can only come when we are willing to embark upon the path of self-discovery – something she strives to facilitate for everyone she serves. 

“My hope, intention, mission and vision with my work is to normalize the mess in all of us,” says Kate. “The messiness of our stories and the imperfections that shape us and differentiate us all.”

Whether we’re busy worrying about a potential future event or fixating on a past mistake, mental time travel disconnects us from the present moment and takes us out of our bodies. With social media and technology competing for our attention now more than ever, it’s far too easy for us to ignore the people, places, and opportunities before us and lose ourselves in mindless behavior.

As part of my wellness interview series, meet Tracy Duhs.

When it comes to daily practices that nurture her mind, body, and spirit, Tracy focuses on harnessing the power of her thoughts to benefit both her health and that of those around her.

“I begin my day with gratitude and praise,” says Tracy. “This helps tune my field, align my chakras, and bring my mind into balance. This practice has had profound effects on my health.”

Just over a week ago, I celebrated my twin sister’s wedding on our shared birthday – a scheduling choice that initially prompted disappointment, but ultimately flooded me with gratitude for the most unforgettable celebration I’ve experienced to date.

As I reflected on my birthday weekend and my surpassed expectations, I took a step back and surveyed the past year as a whole– recognizing that the reality, too, exceeded my wildest expectations.

I share all this to highlight the fact that it is my faith and hope in something greater than myself that continually inspires me to dream a little bigger and reach a little higher. It is my belief in myself and the saving power of love and kindness that defines the way I interact with the world around me. It is my belief in the seemingly impossible that encourages me to choose the high road and never stop searching for the silver lining.

Introducing my new wellness interview series! To kick it off, meet Blake Spencer, the woman behind Breath of Blake.

While breathwork may not always be part of Blake’s daily rituals, she emphasizes its infinite healing capacity. “In my experience, breath is the most natural practice I have found that moves the most energy,” says Blake. “This practice can be extremely healing for the body and soul and show us a lot about ourselves.”