by Debra Smouse | Aug 23, 2025 | Tricky Situations
Addiction recovery is a journey that requires more than physical healing—it calls for a profound shift in mindset and perspective. While medical care, support therapy, and networks are essential, one powerful yet often overlooked tool is gratitude. Practicing...
by Debra Smouse | Aug 23, 2025 | Nifty Life Hacks
You probably know you “should” take care of yourself… and then scroll social media instead. You’re not alone. About 23.4% of adults experience mental illness in a given year, which shows how many people push their limits before they pause and reset. The good news:...
by Debra Smouse | Aug 22, 2025 | How To Fall In Love With Your Life Once & For All, Strategies To Get Your Life On Track
You’ve probably heard the buzz (likely from me) about journaling—everyone raves about it, productivity experts recommend it, and therapists suggest it. But here’s the catch: when you’re already juggling work, family, and the general chaos of daily life, the thought of...
by Debra Smouse | Aug 21, 2025 | How To Fall In Love With Your Life Once & For All, Strategies To Get Your Life On Track
Strong relationships are the foundation of a meaningful life—whether we’re talking about romantic partnerships, friendships, or even workplace connections. But here’s the truth: personality differences can either create friction or fuel deeper understanding. That’s...
by Debra Smouse | Aug 20, 2025 | Strategies To Get Your Life On Track
Welcome to Your Seasonal Motivation Series Motivation isn’t one-size-fits-all—and it certainly doesn’t stay the same all year. Each season brings its own energy, challenges, and opportunities. That’s why I created this Seasonal Motivation Series: a cozy, real-talk...
by Debra Smouse | Aug 20, 2025 | Nifty Life Hacks
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: you know you’re stressed. You know you need to “take care of yourself.” But when someone chirps about bubble baths or meditation apps or scheduling a spa day, you want to laugh. Or cry. Or both....
by Debra Smouse | Aug 19, 2025 | Feeling Burned Out, Stressed Out, Overwhelmed & Exhausted, How To Fall In Love With Your Life Once & For All
Shortly after my divorce, a girlfriend jokingly suggested we cover all the mirrors in my house. She had noticed that every time I passed a mirror or reflective surface, I turned my head to look. As we laughed and chatted about this habit, we realized I wasn’t...
by Debra Smouse | Aug 19, 2025 | Nifty Life Hacks
We all know the drill: cleanse, tone, serum, moisturize, repeat. But what if the secret to the ultimate “glow” isn’t in a bottle, but in heat? While infrared sauna blankets have exploded in popularity for muscle recovery and stress relief, beauty...
by Debra Smouse | Aug 19, 2025 | Life's Lessons
A child’s needs have a gravity all of their own. They pull your attention, your energy, and your heart in their direction, and for any parent, meeting those needs is the most natural instinct in the world. From packed lunches to grazed knees, from night-time worries...
by Debra Smouse | Aug 19, 2025 | Life's Lessons
When someone is handed a glass of alcohol or offered a pill, the choice to say no isn’t always simple. It’s not just about willpower. It’s about the strength built deep inside-resilience. Addiction doesn’t happen overnight, it creeps in, often when life’s pressures...
by Debra Smouse | Aug 18, 2025 | Strategies To Get Your Life On Track
Why do decisions matter so much? Because every choice—whether it’s as simple as what to eat for lunch or as life-changing as where to live—shapes the path you’re walking. While it’s tempting to see decisions as routine or inconsequential, the truth is that...
by Debra Smouse | Aug 18, 2025 | How To Fall In Love With Your Life Once & For All
Recently, a client came to me asking for suggestions on how he can stay better connected to his fiancé when he travels for business. In addition to suggesting regular calls or video chats, I suggested something more old-school: love notes. You might consider text...