Blogs

It’s October, folks, and while we Canadians are getting busy and gearing up for that glorious long weekend of stuffing our faces with turkey and mashed potatoes (I’m already in jogging bottoms in preparation), I’ve got a little challenge for you. Yes, you, reading this while debating whether or not you can justify pie for breakfast. Spoiler: you absolutely can.

Thanksgiving is creeping up fast, but here’s the kicker—what if we didn’t wait for one single weekend to express our gratitude? What if we made this whole “being grateful” thing a year-round event? Like, why reserve it for just one meal and a couple of polite conversations over pumpkin pie? What if, instead of apologising our way through life, we started dishing out some gratitude instead? Oh yes, this is a gratitude revolution, and I’m leading the charge!

The Canadian Apology Syndrome

Read more: Why Say "Sorry" When You Can Say "Thank You?"

Oi! Yes, you there!

I see you scrolling, your thumb doing that weird twitch as you jump from Instagram to TikTok to your inbox and back again. Believe me, I get it! The digital world is all shiny and addictive – a constant flow of dopamine hits straight to your brain. But, just for a moment, let’s hit pause. Seriously, stop reading for a second, put your phone down (just for a sec, promise), and have a good look around.

Cue elevator music while you enjoy your moment of clarity.

Back? Brilliant. Now, what did you notice? My guess is that life is happening all around you, but you’re missing it while you’re lost in a whirlpool of apps and notifications. Don’t worry – we’re all guilty of it. But here’s your friendly reminder: life’s not happening in that inbox or those 87 unread notifications; it’s happening right in front of you, in real-time, begging for your attention.

Read more: Pause. ☕️ Put Down the Phone (Just for a Sec, Promise!)

"Being present." Oh yes, we’ve all heard it a million times. Whether you’re binge-watching YouTube wellness gurus or scrolling through Instagram mindfulness quotes, it’s everywhere. It’s as common as a cup of tea in good old London, but like a badly made cuppa, it can be a bit… bland. What exactly does it mean to be "present"? And how does it connect to that trendy little word "mindfulness"? Is it just another thing to add to our already overwhelming to-do lists, right next to "sort the laundry" and "finally learn yoga"?

Not to worry, I’ve got you covered. We’re about to break down this whole "being present" business in a way that’s fun, fabulous, and refreshingly real. None of that woo-woo talk, just the no-nonsense lowdown on what it means, how it actually feels, and why you should care.

Read more: Being Present: Ditching Auto-Pilot and Owning Your Life (with a Little Attitude)

When most people hear the word grief, they immediately associate it with death. The passing of a loved one—whether it's a family member, close friend, or even a cherished pet — it brings waves of sadness, heartache, and mourning. It's natural to connect grief with death, but that’s just one dimension of what grief encompasses. In reality, grief is a multifaceted experience, touching many areas of life that go beyond physical loss.

Consider this: have you ever separated from someone, gone through a divorce, or perhaps experienced the painful end of a long-term relationship? It’s a different kind of grief, but grief all the same. You’re not just mourning the loss of the person; you’re also grieving the loss of shared memories, future plans, mutual friendships, and even a version of yourself that existed within that relationship.

Read more: The Hidden Faces of Grief: Dealing with Loss Beyond Death