An unexpected work assignment with a short deadline. 5 o’clock traffic with tailgaters. Your preschooler throwing a tantrum because you cut their sandwich in thirds instead of quarters. This is everyday life. Circumstances mostly out of our control. Inconveniences that can send us into a downward spiral when our stress tolerance is low. The death of a family member. A cancer diagnosis. Job loss due to downsizing. Unexpected traumas. Understandably more difficult to navigate than the day to day inconveniences, but still circumstances mostly outside of our control. Often when I write about stress management, I share practical tips. Things like scheduling self-care in your calendar and prioritizing that time slot like a meeting with your boss … even if your self-care appointment is a bath with Epsom salts and lavender essential oil. This piece is different. Instead of practical tips, I am sharing the concept of acceptance. Accepting that stressful situations and the resulting emotions are 100% normal could be just the mindset shift that makes a difference. I’m not downplaying fear, grief, sadness, frustration and anxiety, especially when [...]