Victoria Alercia-Casella Counseling Services

With Valentine's Day being tomorrow, as you are showing love and giving gifts to others, please don't forget to show some to yourself also. You are worth it! You deserve it! Post how you will be pampering yourself for valentines day!

Thank you daily positive affirmation calendar for the lovely reminder. Do you have a quote or affirmation calendar that can help shift your thought process every day? Please share!

My 6yo son has been struggling with virtual schooling. This morning I heard him tell his older brother to believe in himself. He was cheering for him as he was watching him going through something challenging. I praised him for this then I encouraged him to say those words to himself when he's struggling to do schoolwork. Tell yourself that you believe in you. He looked and me and smiled and said, "mom, that's weird." I said it might feel weird at first but it's really import...ant that we learn how to be our own cheerleaders just like how we would try hard to encourage someone else. I told him that mommy cheers herself on all the time when I'm struggling with something challenging. I believe in myself. I can try harder. I can do this. Do I always do or say the right thing around my kids?- of course not, I'm human and we all make mistakes. As parents, this pandemic has not been easy on our children or us. Remind yourself to be your own cheerleader too. Focus on self care daily because you matter. You will be setting a wonderful, healthy example for your children to follow. Its not easy but it's worth it. See more

How often have we criticized ourselves for choices we have made? How often have we struggled to let go of something that someone said or did to us that hurt us? I've beat myself up for things I've done- I should have known better or done better. I've held on to resentment towards others making me feel like I didn't matter. All that did was put up barriers & prolong my journey to what I truly need & want, which is to be the healthiest version of myself. I finally chose to let ...go of control- my old habits & thoughts. I truly lean in to all my supports, my life changed. I feel relieved & free, kindness, love, patience, compassion- towards myself & others. If I handled something poorly, I own up to it & I figure out how to do things better. I tell myself it's okay, I'm human & I offer myself grace. I know I'm truly trying the best I can to manage everything that is going on in life. When others choose to treat me a certain way, when they say or do something hurtful- I've been slow to judgment & anger. I see their internal struggle. I pray for them to receive healing. I set boundaries to protect my heart. Its all a difficult process for sure but a beautiful one to obtain. I believe that we can overcome any challenge. Sometimes we just have to learn to get out of our own way first. Does this sound like something you would like to obtain? Reach out for help.

When we have the thought process "why is this happening to me?"- that puts us in a victim role as opposed to "what is this teaching me?"- that provides us with the opportunity to learn, grow and become healthier, that gives us the power and control. Do you see the difference? Try to make this shift the next time you are struggling in a situation.