Hot Button Conversations, Pop Psychology, and Talking to Your Kids

Oct 25, 2024

If I could freeze one season and savor it for months, it would be Fall. This week, as I walked through the canopy of vibrant leaves in my neighborhood, I was struck by the rich colors that glowed in the soft morning light. My path, leaves crunching beneath my feet, looked like something out of a storybook and nothing short of magical. There are few things as magnificent as a good New England Fall, and I want to hold on to it as long as possible.

What are you holding on to these days?

I know life is stressful. We're days away from a possibly tumultuous election. There's parenting stress, college-application-stress if you have a senior, work, relationships, marriage, sports… all of the above. It’s hard to take the time to savor what is good.

Most of us don’t feel all that balanced these days no matter how we try.

I have loved my morning walks because for me it’s a dopamine reset. Balance isn’t just a matter of habits or routines; it’s also neurochemical, affecting how we think and feel. In our tech-saturated lives, surrounded by constant stimulation, our dopamine balance can easily become disrupted. What we see and hear impacts this balance, and experiencing the peak splendor of nature — watching the leaves change and feeling like the landscape transforms every few days — creates a natural, healthy release of dopamine. I feel that reset happening on these walks, grounding me in simple but meaningful ways.

Adding Balance to Your Life

Adding a bit of balance to your life doesn’t need to be complex. Start by asking yourself daily:

What am I holding on to?

What am I savoring?

What might I need to let go of to make room for something more fulfilling?

What’s just not worth dwelling on?

And, most importantly, what would bring me joy this week?

Answering these questions can lead to more balance and greater fulfillment.

No, we can’t eliminate all the stressors or prevent new ones from coming. But I have found that I am better equipped to handle them if I am feeling more balanced and, better yet, if I've found beautiful and joyful moments to savor and reflect on throughout the week.