Being convenient is a priority for many people, and it is ingrained in our culture and our society. It impacts the way we show up in our work and with our families. I recently held a workshop titled "How to be Inconvenient" and several people shared that they gasped at the topic. How did being inconvenient get to be so controversial? Being "convenient" means our self-care is happening at another person's convenience. This means we're not doing anything in a way that doesn't upset anyone else, doesn't upset the balance of power or the equilibrium of a given situation and we avoid doing things that have an impact anyone else. What happens is that self care becomes something we do in secret. We know it happens, but we make the effort to do it in a way that doesn't requires anyone to rearrange their schedules or be upset, or be "inconvenienced." Convenience, and especially being seen as convenient to other people, is often an unseen hurdle to self care. And, discovering that many people feel so strongly motivated (often at a subconscious level) to maintaining convenience that it becomes a hurdle to self care was a big learning moment for me. Why? Because I personally do not feel strongly about being convenient to other people. And in fact, my being inconvenient, I see as a way of teaching the people around me that I do not exist simply to serve them. And, so in this episode, I'm talking about this, and how to be inconvenient and why it matters for your self care and personal boundaries. Subscribe & Rate the Show iTunes Stitcher Spotify One of the best ways to support the show is to leave a rating and review. It's the best way to spread the word and help more people find the podcast. Leave your review on iTunes, send me an email (to christy@christytending.com) letting me know you did it, and I'll send you a free gift worth $20!

I've been following Marlee Grace's Work for quite awhile, and when I was thinking about pioneers—people who are doing this a step away from, or even against, the mainstream, I thought about Marlee. I knew I wanted to bring her on the show to talk about creativity, stepping away from the socials, creating community, her books (Getting to Center and How to Not Always Be Working, especially). I loved this conversation so much, and it was an honor to have Marlee Grace on the show. Marlee Grace is a dancer and writer whose work focuses on the self, devotion, ritual, creativity, and art making. Her practice is rooted in improvisation as a compositional form that takes shape in movement videos, books, quilting, online courses, and hosting artists. Grace’s Instagram dance project Personal Practice has been featured in the New York Times, Dance Magazine, Vanity Fair, The Huffington Post, and more. Marlee’s most recent book is Getting to Center: Pathways to Finding Yourself Within the Great Unknown. She also recently self-published a book of advice based on her radio show, Friendship Village. Connect with Marlee Grace Marlee Grace's Website Links and resources for this episode Marlee's books on Bookshop.orgChristy's favorite resourcesFree Workbook: You're Allowed to Want Things Subscribe & Rate the Show iTunes Stitcher Spotify One of the best ways to support the show is to leave a rating and review. It's the best way to spread the word and help more people find the podcast. Leave your review on iTunes, send me an email (to christy@christytending.com) letting me know you did it, and I'll send you a free gift worth $20!

One of the best things about doing this work for as long as I have is the ability to see patterns over a long period of time. What are people struggling with? What are those tendencies that pop up again and again? And how can I fashion solutions that address those issues that don't seem to disappear? In this week's episode, I'm talking about sustainable self-care. One of the things I've noticed over the last few years is that people tend to take the same approach that got them into burnout, overwhelm, etc.—and apply it to their approach to self-care. For example, if you overwork in your professional life, you're likely to try to overwork or do too much in your self-care. If you're a people-pleaser, you approach self-care so that it never inconveniences anyone and makes sure that you only do self-care that works for others. While this might feel okay for a while, ultimately, it doesn't address the real issues of why you need self-care in the first place and how to create it in a sustainable way that actually resources you.. Links and resources for this episode Free Video Workshop: How to Be InconvenientFree Workbook: You're Allowed to Want ThingsMy Bookshop.org shelves for more books and resources Homework: creating sustainable self-care Ask yourself: what is the root of your need for self-care? What is the root cause, and how can you envision a root solution based on your unique needs, wants, desires, and way that you show up in the world? Subscribe & Rate the Show Apple Podcasts Stitcher Spotify

Welcome to Season 5 of Tending Your Life. This season, I'm pleased to partner with Hyde Organic Yoga Apparel to uplift this slow, sustainable brand and bring you a discount on what I think are the most fabulous yoga clothes on the planet to get in on this awesomeness, click the link and enter Christy10 at checkout. And if you're brand new here, this is a podcast that lives at the intersection of our political and spiritual lives and aims to help listeners redefine self-care and make a deeper impact in their unique way, wherever in the world, they find themselves. We talk about leadership. Self-care creativity, sustainability. Sobriety mental health, social justice, mindfulness parenting, and so much more. Plus you'll enjoy interviews with luminaries and friends who are revolutionizing the way we think about joy, grief, love, dreams, boundaries, adventure, and life. Subscribe & Rate the Show On Apple Podcasts On Stitcher On Spotify

In today's episode, I'm here to give a little State of Things update and to talk about my biggest a-ha moment so far in this unexpected and highly usual moment in which we find ourselves. In the midst of this shelter-in-place/COVID-19 pandemic moment, what do we do about self-care, let alone all of those difficult emotions and feelings that come along with this moment of deep uncertainty? In this episode, I'm proposing something that is both compassionate, yet counter-intuitive. This is about sitting with our discomfort instead of trying to self-care it away.  Read all of the episode notes on Christy's blog. Links and resources for this episode The Art of Self-Advocacy Subscribe & Rate the Show On iTunes On Stitcher On Spotify

We all know that perfectionism is the enemy of liberation. Which means that imperfection is our ally in liberation. Which is awesome! In this episode, I'm talking about embracing imperfection and the awesome impact that imperfection might have on our lives. Once we set down perfectionism, what could we choose instead? What are the things that we're able to access in the context of imperfection that perfectionism could never give us? What I want you to take away from this is, is really that we do not live in a binary of perfection and imperfection. (We're never going to reach that perfection! It's not an option!) If we're never ever going to get to perfection, then we become free of its hold on us. It means that we all exist somewhere on this spectrum of imperfection. Finding our place on that spectrum is pretty amazing. Links and resources for this episode Episode: Perfectionism is the Enemy of Liberation.Episode: Sitting with Discomfort.The When I Grow Up Coach: Michelle Ward.Free Self-Care Course.My Favorite Self-Care Resources. My teachers on sobriety Rolf GatesHolly WhitakerElena BrowerLaura McKowen Subscribe & Rate the Show Apple Podcasts Stitcher Spotify

What is it like to put yourself out there, and how do you feel when you're considering doing something new?  I've noticed a pattern for people when they start to put themselves out there. I've noticed people talk about self confidence first, and we talk about developing self confidence, in a vacuum as though it happens on its own. What happens is we wait for that self-confidence or the perfect timing, or a certain threshold of expertise or that perfect moment. We wait for these things first, before we decide to speak or own our expertise, or create an experiment, or decide to make an impact, or tell our story ,or show up, or put ourselves out there. We're waiting for confidence first. And we have decided that confidence shows up a somehow on its own, and when it does that that will be the right moment to start putting ourselves out there. Spoiler alert: It doesn't quite work this way. Read the full show notes here. Subscribe & Rate the Show iTunes Stitcher Spotify One of the best ways to support the show is to leave a rating and review. It's the best way to spread the word and help more people find the podcast. Leave your review on iTunes, send me an email (to christy@christytending.com) letting me know you did it, and I'll send you a free gift worth $20!

When I first got into the "self-care" game many years ago, Jen Louden was one of the first names I heard. In this conversation, we talk about her book, "Why Bother?"; plus how to find your bother and get your bother on. We also talk about creative process, climate activism, and what it looks like to show up imperfectly and in process. We talk about learning as we go, daring to start imperfectly, and how creativity and imagination can fuel positive solutions for the planet. I loved this conversation so much, and it was an honor to have Jen on the show. Jennifer Louden is a personal growth pioneer who helped launch the concept of self-care with her 1992 bestselling debut book The Woman’s Comfort Book. She is the author of six additional books, including The Woman’s Retreat Book, The Life Organizer, and her newest release, Why Bother? She appeared on a number of television and radio shows and podcasts—including The Oprah Winfrey Show.  As an entrepreneur and educator, Jennifer has offered women’s retreats for over 25 years. She lives in Boulder County, Colorado. Connect with Jen Louden Jen's Website Jen on Instagram Links and resources for this episode Jen's books on Bookshop.orgChristy's favorite resourcesFree Workbook: You're Allowed to Want Things Subscribe & Rate the Show iTunes Stitcher Spotify One of the best ways to support the show is to leave a rating and review. It's the best way to spread the word and help more people find the podcast. Leave your review on iTunes, send me an email (to christy@christytending.com) letting me know you did it, and I'll send you a free gift worth $20!

Recently, I've been thinking about boundaries. I mean, I'm always thinking about boundaries. But specifically, I've been thinking about the way that we create and honor our boundaries in our online and digital spaces. It occurs to me that while we all know intellectually that we need good boundaries for ourselves, they can be hard to create and even harder to maintain. And in the online world, this is doubly true. For two reasons: First of all, it's endless. The emails keep coming, and the algorithms of social media are designed to keep us glued to the app as long as possible. And second, we are taught that we should aim to always be available, share as vulnerably as possible, and give it all away for free. In this episode, I get nitty-gritty about how I decide what to share, what I definitely don't share, and how I honor my boundaries and protect my privacy online. Sign up for the free workshop: How to Be Inconvenient! Links and resources for this episode Electronic Frontier Foundation Subscribe & Rate the Show iTunes Stitcher Spotify

adrienne is a facilitator and author, a writer, a pleasure activist, and a movement leader. I look to her for inspiration in my activist practice, and in how I relate to other people. In this episode, we talk about pleasure, activism, trust and visionary writers. See the show notes on the website. Connect with adrienne Website Instagram

A couple of years ago, I wrote one of my most popular newsletters ever. I think it remains my most replied-to email of all time. In it, I talked about my depression—and what I wanted you to know. Earlier this year, I wanted to update the list—and was so proud to have it published on The Mighty. Whether you have depression or love someone who does, this episode is full of good reminders. I hope that it feels useful for you. See the show notes on the website. Links and resources for this episode You can read the original article here. Subscribe & Rate the Show iTunes Stitcher Spotify

Elena Brower is one of my long-time yoga teachers, one of the first people who got me thinking about the kind of mom I wanted to be, and one of the first people I texted when I decided to get sober two years ago. At this, my two-year sober anniversary, I'm taking things full circle by welcoming Elena to the podcast so that we can talk parenting, sobriety, creative process, and more. About Elena: Mama, teacher, bestselling author and Double Diamond leader with doTERRA, Elena has taught yoga and meditation since 1999. Her first book, Art of Attention, has been translated into seven languages, and her second, Practice You, is a bestseller. Her Essential Mentorship is beloved for bringing analog creativity to online coursework, and her third book, Being You, was released in early 2021. Her spoken word poems can be found on Above & Beyond's Flow State albums.  Listen to her renowned Practice You Podcast atpracticeyou.com, and practice with Elena on Glo.com. See the show notes on the website. Connect with Elena Website Instagram Links and resources for this episode The Ritual of Recovery spoken wordKim Krans and The Wild UnknownPodcast episode on UrgencyElena's podcast Elena's website Elena's Instagram Subscribe and Rate the Show iTunes Stitcher Spotify

Sarah Von Bargen is one of my favorite people on the Internet. Everything she does comes from a place of true integrity and helpfulness. She tells the truth about even the most awkward subjects with warmth and wit. And I cannot wait for you to hear our conversation. Sarah Von Bargen is a writer, coach, and educator who helps people spend their time, money, and energy on purpose. See the show notes on the website. Connect with Sarah Website Instagram Links and resources for this episode Self-Compassion by Dr. Kristen NeffKidizen Subscribe & Rate the Show iTunes Stitcher Spotify

How do you move out of the burn out and overwhelm cycle, and move your self care from a place that is reactive (something you do after a taxing event) to proactive (something built in to your routines). This is the topic for this week's episode. Find more on the website.  Subscribe & Rate the Show iTunes Stitcher Spotify

This week's episode aims to answer a question that I've had in my own practice for years: How do we learn how to celebrate when we hold ourselves to sky-high standards? In this episode, I talk about: Lowering your standards—and how being more compassionate with yourself can help you celebrate moreCelebrating your efforts (instead of just your accomplishments)—which is really about focusing on what we can control (what we do) instead of what we can't (what others do/how others react).Challenging the ways we celebrate in our culture—and learning to celebrate without alcohol or simply buying more stuff.And more! Listen to the whole thing for more thoughts and tips on how to celebrate. Links and resources for this episode Michelle Ward Your Win BookChristy on Instagram Subscribe & Rate the Show When you leave a rating and review, send me a screenshot (to christy@christytending.com) and I'll send you a free gift! iTunes Stitcher Spotify

I'm so delighted to welcome Vanessa Mentor to the show today! Vanessa and I originally connected via Instagram. Then she invited me to be a part of her free series, Tending (perfect, right?). And now I'm so excited to have her on the podcast. Vanessa and I share an affinity for looking at self-care through an anti-capitalist lens, which was the perfect jumping off point. But Vanessa and I have very different backgrounds: she was born in Haiti, and talks openly about the effects of colonialism on her sense of self and self-worth. She talks about growing up in a patriarchal family—and how that led to her mission to help women live unrestrained. I can't wait for you to hear the whole thing. Vanessa Mentor is a Self-Care Educator and Coach who connects the dots between our individual self-care  and the care of the world so we can take actions that heal and restore both. Her clients are working moms/women who've been burned out before and don't wan to go there but are torn between taking care of their needs and caring for their family's needs. Connect with Vanessa Website Instagram Links and resources for this episode Vanessa's series, TendingChristy on Instagram Subscribe & Rate the Show iTunes Stitcher Spotify

More of us are feeling overwhelmed, feeling, really spread thin and verging on burn out. What happens when you choose to tap into your own sacred focus and do less, but do it better? Find more on the website.  Subscribe & Rate the Show iTunes Stitcher Spotify

I cannot wait for you to hear this conversation. L'Erin lays out so much deep wisdom in this episode. I took so many notes—putting stars next to things and circling others—because I felt, in the best way, like I was back in school. In this episode, we talk about intuition and power; being an empathic person; boundaries and trauma; and so much more. We talk about how empaths are made (not necessarily born)—and how to care for (and perhaps reparent) yourself as an empath. We talk about accessing your personal power in difficult times. And we talk about intuition as something anticapitalist. Plus, we dive into how to tell the difference between the voice of your intuition and the voice of your fear. About L'Erin L’Erin Alta is a powerful medicine woman + mystic living in full devotion of her spiritual calling. She has over 20-years of experience teaching classes, workshops and leading retreats that help people align their selves with their souls so that they can live their true purpose and share their spiritual gifts with the world. A world traveler with 24 countries under her belt, L’Erin has worked with medicine men + women, spiritual teachers, mystics, gurus and guides from a diversity of spiritual paths + practices. As the host of the “Black Girl Mystic” podcast, L’Erin talks with Black Girl Mystic highlights Black women + femme healers, spiritual teachers + modern day mystics who are changing the world by living their soul's calling. Connect with L'Erin Website Instagram Subscribe & Rate the Show iTunes Stitcher Spotify

In this episode, I'm talking about cycles. And specifically, how we can choose to respect our nature as the cyclical beings we are? In this episode, I'm breaking down how I'm doing this in my own life. And at the end, I ask you to consider how you might approach this in your unique situation. If things feel a little flat in your world at the moment, or if you're going through a difficult time, this one is for you. It's a gentle reminder that nothing blooms all year; we are all cyclical beings. Free Intuition Meditation Homework Consider how you could allow for more respect for the cyclical nature of your life. Would it be possible to make your weekends totally work free? Could you do a better job of turning off notifications at night? How could you allow for the full expression of yourself as a cyclical being to come into the world a little bit more? Or put a different way: How could you simply bring some awareness and mindfulness to the ways in which you are a cyclical being—so that perhaps you can allow in some of this grace, compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance for yourself? Subscribe & Rate the Show iTunes Stitcher Spotify

Born a farm girl, guest Candice English, the owner and operator at The Farmer's Daughter Fibers, embodies her heritage & home state of Montana into all aspects of her work. She's also an activist with Sisters United in Montana. Connect with Candice The Farmer's Daughter Fibers Sisters UnitedFDF on InstagramSisters United on Instagram Subscribe & Rate the Show iTunes Stitcher Spotify