I hope this blog post finds you well as we start week #4 of what I like to call, “living that quarantine dream.” I sincerely hope that you have settled into a routine and are feeling calmer among all the uncertainty. I want to focus this week’s blog post on three things, first the importance of shifting mindsets, highlights from week #3, and lastly, recognizing the 1st anniversary of “Dr. MC’s Self-Care Cabaret.”
Shifting Mindsets: We need to be particularly in tune with our mindset these days to promote our well-being and act from a place of love instead of a place of fear. How we talk and think about our current situation impacts our mood. If we say and think things like, “I am stuck at home.” That is negative. If we believe and say, instead, “I am safe at home.” That comes from a place of love and a positive perspective. It is easy to dwell and drown in the negative with all that is going on, but for our sanity and the sanity of those around us, try to give it a positive spin and see how it calms you.
Here are a few examples:

The next time you start slipping into a negative mindset or thought pattern, try shifting it and reminding yourself of the positive view of the situation and see how it impacts your well-being.
Here are notable highlights from the week:
Staples Podcast: I was invited to be a guest on the Staples Spotlight Podcast this week, where I shared “Tips for Managing Life During COVID-19.” It is about 12 minutes long, and I think you should give it a listen. I talk about shifting mindsets (see above). For a transcript of the Podcast, please click here.
Connecting with Old Passions: When I was younger, I used to doodle and make really elaborate black and white ink drawings. I also loved using Scratchbords or Scratch-Art as a means to create. It has probably been nearly 20 years since I played around with this medium, but I figured now was a great time to brush up on my skills. This is purely for my enjoyment, but I love the opportunity to connect with an old passion. It is a great mindfulness activity and allows me to step away from the craziness and create.

Virtual Workouts: I participated in two virtual dance classes last week with one of my favorite instructors, Kelli LaVita. It was so much fun. For $5-10, it was a great way to feel connected to the outside world, support small businesses, and sweat out some stress! A wonderful mood booster. I am looking forward to my adult tap dance class going virtual next week.
Virtual Meditation: I also participated in two sessions with my Reiki Master, Amber McMahon. It was great to connect with Amber and join her offerings, which included distance healing, meditation, journaling, and more. For more about Amber, check out my previous blog post dedicated to Reiki.
I am looking forward to more of this in the coming weeks as we find new ways to connect.

Last, but certainly not least, Happy 1st Anniversary to Dr. MC’s Self-Care Cabaret. What a year, huh? A year ago, I was having a conversation with my husband about wanting to start a Facebook page about self-care. I was nearing the finish line of earning my doctorate and was presenting at conferences more regularly. In our brainstorming session, we came up with the name, and I knew it was the one. The title combines my love of performing and all things Broadway with my passion for self-care. It would still be a few weeks before I formally launched the Facebook community, and the website and blog did not start until January 2020, but this milestone deserves recognition. So, thank you for being here and being a part of this journey. We have over 1,000 followers on Facebook and many more who subscribe/follow the blog. I am excited to see where this will go.
Comment below and tell me how you are doing? Or tell me your favorite thing about Dr. MC’s Self-Care Cabaret!
Stay well,
Dr. MC