You Revolution

Please do not accept friend requests from Karen D Deeming it's not me!

April is stress awareness month and science tells us nature and self care is good for stress management 🌳🍀🌹

So I’m keeping a tab and taking one small step a day to ensure I engage in at least one self care activity 🚶‍♀️

Here’s what’s happened so far:

Daily mindfulness meditations and reading 🧘‍♀️

Walks and cycles in Somerset 🚴‍♀️

Daily intentional breaks from news and social media between 630am and 830am and from 8pm

Attended three online personal development "bite size" masterclasses

As a keen Green and Sustainability advocate and a member of Somerset Wildlife Trust, I’ve also signed up to a few of their events over the coming months. 🐝🐿🦋

What’s your stress busting plan for this month? 🥊

Meet the Ukranian runners who are still training in a war zone

This is so inspiring, as a fellow runner, and takes such courage, drive and determination

Well done guys.

Definitely no excuses for me not to run this weekend!!



https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/motivation/a39607947/ukraine-running/?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=socialflowFBRWUK&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR1rGMIR3BGG5wj6OJ5C3g-qjaMLZl92hdGUq7yqcQMnGiZ99JP3Y3leEqk

Meet the Ukrainian runners who are still training in a war zone They committed to staying active despite the Russian invasion. And feel stronger for it.

According to UN Women UK:

An estimated 54% of people in need of assistance from the ongoing crisis are women, and women and girls are consistently disproportionately affected by conflict.

More than 1.5 million people – two-thirds women and children – have been internally displaced since the start of the [Russian/Ukrainian] conflict in 2014 and now suffer from a lack of access to healthcare, housing and employment."

They also warned that these numbers will increase rapidly.
“Women and girls are a high-risk group, exposed to heightened risks to their human rights.

An increased number of women and girls caught in the conflicts will experience exacerbated forms of violence.

Around 21,790 women in Ukraine are combat veterans, and more than 32,000 women are serving in the Ukraine armed forces.

They may be called to military action,” the statement continued.
It's understandable to feel powerless in the face of international conflict – especially when social media enables real-time, shocking glimpses into life on the front line.

So, to mark International Women’s Day, I want to do my best to support women in Ukraine by making a donation to UN Women UK.

Sadly, I’ve experienced first hand those crippling feelings of powerlessness and disempowerment as a victim of stalking in my 20s.

Their story is significantly more heartbreaking and traumatising than mine though, as my stalking experience didn’t happen during a Russian invasion and I had the freedom to escape from the situation and to speak out.

Thankfully I survived this horrendous event, so if you’re interested:
Here’s a radio interview describing how I overcame my stalking experience, in the hope that it will inspire other victims of stalking to put an end to this unacceptable form of domestic violence and mental assault !!!

https://www.you-revolution.com/an-inspirational-radio-interview-for-victims-of-stalking/

An inspirational radio interview for victims of stalking - Karen DeemingKaren Deeming I had a huge circle of friends, an amazing social life, my own home and car and to put the icing on the cake, a handsome blonde haired, blue eyed boyfriend that was charismatic, adored by family and friends and most importantly could dance and cook which was very important to me in those days…

Thrilled to tell you that the "Think Week" in the Cotswolds was hugely productive and I've written the first few chapters of my book.

To be honest, at times though, I was understandably distracted by what is happening in the Ukraine.

Back in sunny Pilton now and enjoying feeling recharged and relaxed before a busy client day tomorrow.

More about my writing retreat experience soon so watch this space !

Well I’ve finally decided to commit to a “Think Week” as Bill Gates puts it!

Twice a year, Bill Gates takes a “think week” a seven-day retreat to an isolated two-story cabin in the Pacific Northwest.

While there, he disconnects from all technology and cuts himself off from all family, friends and staff, save for a caretaker who provides him two simple daily meals and keeps him stocked with Diet Orange Crush sodas.

While in this cocoon of solitude, he reads newspaper articles, books, industry news and Microsoft reports. He also jots down responses to what he’s read and engages in active pondering, letting new ideas flood into the quiet space he’s cleared for them.

My location isn’t quite so glamorous: a rainy week in a remote Cotswolds’ cottage.

Hopefully though, it will trigger my creative juices enough so that I can put paper and begin to write my first ever book.

So wish me luck!

What passion project have you been delaying that may benefit from a Think Week?

I’d love to hear about it.

Did you know there are 52 walking styles and science behind each one? 🚶‍♀️🚶

In her book, 52 ways to walk , Annabel Streets shares the thrill of 52 walking styles, explaining the latest science behind each one, and providing practical tips for making the most of your daily steps.

52 Ways to Walk is a revelatory and informative handbook for anyone stuck in a walking rut, curious about the lesser-known benefits of walking or merely in need of some on-foot novelty and adventure.

Beautifully designed and pocket-sized, 52 Ways to Walk is a love letter to walking. ❤️

Can't wait to read the book next week when I'm on holiday in a cosy Cotswolds cottage tucked up in front of the log fire. 🔥

Hello Hybrid: How the return to the office date died:

For two years, employees have been waiting for ‘the day’ when everyone goes back to the office. But it’s probably never coming.

“The return-to-office date has died,” says Nicholas Bloom, professor of economics at Stanford University, US. “Endless waves of Covid have led most CEOs to give up, and instead set up contingent policies: if, when and how to return to the office.”

But if we finally abandon the idea that there will ever be a day when we’re all permanently back at our office desks, what should we expect instead?

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220113-why-a-wide-scale-return-to-the-office-is-a-myth

Why a wide-scale return to the office is a myth For two years, employees have been waiting for ‘the day’ when everyone goes back to the office. But it’s probably never coming.

Do you want to feel less bent out of shape, stuck or overwhelmed? 🙉

Then an understanding of this may help:

The Emotional Guidance Scale (EGS) 🤣😘😩🥵
1 Joy/Appreciation/Empowered/Freedom/Love
2 Passion
3 Enthusiasm/Eagerness/Happiness
4 Positive Expectation/Belief
5 Optimism
6 Hopefulness
7 Contentment
8 Boredom
9 Pessimism
10 Frustration/Irritation/Impatience
11 Overwhelment (feeling overwhelmed)
12 Disappointment
13 Doubt
14 Worry
15 Blame
16 Discouragement
17 Anger
18 Revenge
19 Hatred/Rage
20 Jealousy
21 Insecurity/Guilt/Unworthiness
22 Fear/Grief/Desperation/Despair/Powerlessness

According to Law of Attraction teachings, your “Emotional Guidance System (EGS) is simply:

Your scale of emotions, that help you to determine whether or not you are in alignment with your desires.” 🍔🏃‍♀️👯‍♀️🏈🎾

Or as I like to put it, an indication as to whether you have created a life aligned to your true wants, values and passions.

Rather than one, where you feel bent out of shape and are not engaging with activities or hobbies that make your heart sing. 🎨 🪂🏂

Bent out of shape = a piano or violin out of tune!

In shape = singing or playing your own tune ! 🎻🎹.

As a “recovering” Perfectionist here’s how I used the EGS recently:
When my 17 year old cat died, I was experiencing appropriate levels of despair, grief and powerlessness. 😿

Yet, my inner critic was beating me up and saying:

“Look people are attending food banks and dying of covid so you have zero right to be unhappy, get a grip you should be happy and grateful for your idyllic, rural lifestyle”

Thankfully, I then remembered how I had successfully used the EGS with previous clients, who high achievers like me, wanted to quickly climb the scale and jump from the bottom (level 22) to the top
(level 1) in minutes. 🎢

Though possible on a short term basis, this unrealistic, impatient, approach only results in fleeting periods of level 1 emotions on the EGS scale.

Whereas, if you adopt a small, micro steps approach, though progress is often slower it is significantly more sustainable.

Over to you:

By welcoming grief or despair rather than pushing it away, and praising yourself for small steps such as emptying the laundry basket, doing a 3 minute meditation or a 10 min walk you are much more likely to move up the EGS 🧘‍♀️

Struggling to maintain your New Year's Resolutions or 2022 goals? 🙁

So, you'll not be surprised to hear that February is the most common time when New Year goals begin to lose their momentum.

According to Psychology today, “making resolutions work is essentially changing behaviours and in order to do that, you have to change your thinking and “rewire” your brain. 🧠

Brain scientists such as Antonio Damasio and Joseph LeDoux and psychotherapist Stephen Hayes have discovered, through the use of MRIs, that habitual behaviour is created by thinking patterns that create neural pathways and memories, which become the default basis for your behaviour when you’re faced with a choice or decision.

Trying to change that default thinking by “not trying to do it,” in effect just strengthens it. 💪

Change requires creating new neural pathways from new thinking.

If we take the example of a weight loss resolution:

Instead of focusing on deprivation and starving yourself, ie "scarcity mindset", begin your resolution by developing a positive “growth mindset” of abundance. 🪂

Here’s how:

(1) firstly, adopt a positive affirmation statement in the present tense such as “I’m happy and grateful that I have lost 4lbs this week” repeat this at least 40 times each morning and then just before you go to sleep for at least a two week period

(2) then, find a photo of yourself when you were slim or a photo of someone else in a magazine who is slim and look at this following each affirmation

(3) Be mindful. Become physically, emotionally and mentally aware of your inner state as each external event happens, moment by moment, rather than living in the past or future

(4) Last but not least, reflect on this statement: you never fail if you never give up

Alternatively, it may be that your inner critic is running the show and has silenced your inner champion/cheerleader.

So how do you activate your inner champion? 🏆

Find out here: http://www.you-revolution.com/how-to-activate-your-inner-champion/

Have you bumped into an ugly sister (alias confidence vampire) recently? 🦇

We can often feel less confident when we share new ideas or ventures with the naysayers in the world 🌎

You know who I mean, those people who say:

“you don’t want to do that it’s too risky”

“you don’t have the skills”

“you’ll never make it as a successful artist or author that’s for dreamers”

They also regularly use phrases such as

“yes but”

“what if”

“should”

“have you thought about”

ETC ETC you get the gist?

Then this confidence building blog may be for you: ⭐

http://www.you-revolution.com/confidence-building-and-cinderella-syndrome/

How to handle toxic people to increase your confidence - Karen DeemingKaren Deeming Also, remember that these alleged “naysayers” are often concerned and envious that if you make it to the top of your career or you become a highly successful entrepreneur or executive, this might highlight their own fears insecurities and inadequacies.

Ah confidence - does it seem like everyone has it but you?

Your self-esteem can be low for many reasons; whether you’ve had an illness, a relationship has ended or you’re returning to work after having a baby, your sense of identity can suffer.

What can you do when you have no belief in your skills and abilities?

As part of Radio 4's, How to series looking at some of life’s big challenges:

Woman’s Hour spoke to confidence coach Jo Emerson and Frances Monaghan of Wise Women to explain how you can overcome low self-esteem:

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour - How to build your confidence What can you do when you have no belief in your skills and abilities?