Monthly Themes - Do You Mind

Monthly Themes

Each month is dedicated to exploring a theme that is relevant and challenging for women. I share stories from my life that highlight my relationship with the theme, and I review books, interpret research, and talk with podcast guests about the theme as well. I try to give you many ways to engage with the themes and connect with each other.

Getting Started — May 2019

When we’re getting started with anything new, a million stories seem to fill our heads to deter us from our intention. This month, as I kick off my new endeavor of this website, I’ll take a closer look at some of the things that have made it difficult for me to get started—in general as well as with the DoYouMind.life project.

Time — July 2019

My relationship with Time is . . . interesting. I describe Time as “a Black Hole,” as “squishy,” and as “relative,” so I was glad to learn the word “tidsoptimism” in my reading for this month, as it describes quite accurately the way I approach Time. What’s your relationship with Time? Does it enhance your life, or does it create undue stress? Join me as I explore this month’s theme of Time.

Quiet — September 2019

While last month’s focus was about the importance of using our voices, this month is about Quiet. We need quiet for reflection, recovery, and growth—and yet, it’s often hard to find true peace and quiet. I’ll explain why I value reading books that others try to silence, and I’ll share what it’s like to have a high-frequency hearing loss and constant ringing in the ears.

Gratitude — November 2019

Whether you’re trying to find more joy in your life or looking to live whole-heartedly, Gratitude is everything. In this season of giving thanks for all the bounty in our lives, DoYouMind.life pauses to explore practices of gratitude. We’ll talk about how living in Gratitude is a conscious choice. And you’ll be invited to keep a Gratitude Journal to record your discoveries.

Body — January 2020

Women are bombarded every single day by messages about how our bodies should look, feel, smell, move, and occupy space. When our bodies don’t match up with the images that we see, we can feel that we are Not Enough. The theme of Body gets at some of our most deeply held insecurities and stories of shame, but because shame can only dwell in darkness and secrecy, we’ll bring some of those stories into the spotlight.

Letting Go — March 2020

Letting go of attachments can be the most difficult thing we do, and yet it’s essential for growing and moving forward. This month, as a pandemic is felt across the nation and around the globe, we look at Letting Go.

Reflections — May 2020

As we celebrate DoYouMind.life’s first year, we pause to reflect back over the past year. Throughout May, we’ll revisit all the themes from the previous year and check in with where we are now.

Creativity — June 2019

Are you creative? If you’re breathing, the answer is YES! But if you’re breathing, you probably also have some hang-ups about your creativity—ideas and judgements that keep you from loving your creative products. This month, we’re looking at our relationship with Creativity, clearing away that which gets in the way of our “just making stuff.” Whether your outlet is music, performance, or visual arts, you’ll love hearing what our podcast guests have to say about letting go of the inner critic and playing with Creativity!

Voice — August 2019

What does it mean, as women, to claim our voices? Have we been socialized to hold our tongues just to “be nice”? This month, we look at the theme of “Voice” and some of the ways that women can begin to speak up for themselves and others. I won’t keep quiet–will you?

Enoughness — October 2019

We live in a culture of scarcity where we are bombarded by messages of Never Enough, so we begin to believe that we aren’t enough—not good enough, smart enough, or pretty enough. This month we’ll look at the impact of believing that we aren’t enough and how to reclaim our Enoughness.

Generosity — December 2019

Last month, we focused on the importance of practicing Gratitude for what we have; this month, we look at ways of sharing from our abundance into the world. We’ll explore the myths that women are taught about self sacrifice and how to be generous without giving up our Essential Selves.

Joy — February 2020

Our lives are meant to be lived joyfully, even though we live in a culture that tells us that we are supposed to be busy, productive, and important. What if, though, we focus on doing the things that bring us and those around us Joy? This month, we focus on Joy—as a choice, a practice, and a habit. We’ll hear from two amazing women who have made a conscious choice to find Joy even in adversity, and we’ll explore other facets of Joy.

Change — April 2020

Without a doubt, the current pandemic is a time of unprecedented change—we can’t begin to understand the scope or impact of these changes. Yet we are aware that we’re in the middle of a tremendous shift in the ways we work, socialize, learn, and communicate. DoYouMind.life spends time this month focused on the ways we deal with change.