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My Most Popular Piece, “7 Things To Know About Gaslighting” Was Shared By The UN Women

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UPDATE: Over the July 9 (2022) weekend, I was honored to have the United Nations Women share my “Psychology Today” gaslighting piece in their WUNRN email.

Original Post: As a mental health professional, writer, author and life coach I know gaslighting can happen in multiple types of relationships (i.e.,  professional, medical, family, social), and it can be confusing. The damages can be severe. In my newest piece  for “Psychology Today” (published on June 4, 2022), I share seven things to know and understand about gaslighting. With over 340K views (and counting) in less than one month (without any paid advertisting) of it being published online, I know others are curious about how to cope with gaslighting experiences. Please know you are not alone. It is very normal to be in complete shock and disbelief when it occurs. When it happened to me, I didn’t even recognize it. Other experts had to pull me aside and explain it. Remember, you are not your experience with gaslighting, and it is possible to shape your narrative into one of healing. It is important to seek professional mental health for yourself.

Changing Your Narrative, Feeling Safe & Secure And A Free Guide -Download

 

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In April I delved deep into a handful of change making stories with some bright minds in business, entrepreneurship, entertainment and wellness. The conversations helped to design the pieces I wrote for “Psychology Today” and “Katie Couric Media”, shaped some of the intimate conversations I had with others, and assisted my clients in unlocking their unbounded potential.

As someone who experienced suffering related to an early loss (my father died in 1979 when I was two weeks shy of turning five), I can tell you one of the hardest things to do is foster a healthy story around my grief. And one thing I did for myself, and what I help others do is shape a narrative in such a way that promotes resilience and positive change. This doesn’t mean I don’t value  or speak the truth about loss. What I’ve found to benefit me and what others told me assists them in their healing is bringing a high level perspective to this issue, along with creating a meaningful story. It isn’t instant but personal profound growth and inner peace takes work.

Many people tell me a professional told them they have “Prolonged Grief”, and in my newest Psychology Today piece,  I share what it is and what to do. Also, delighted to say Psychology  Today listed it as an “Essential Read”.

Doing certain things post- loss can help you or someone you love feel safe and secure. Last month, I had the honor of being asked to write this piece for Katie Couric’s newsletter. It is a uniquie kind of check list to give you guidance for doing the right things after the loss of a loved one.

And this free resource guide, called “The Game Plan”  (offered by my publisher as a download) for helping you or your loved one post- loss is my way of thanking you for dropping into my website.

 

When and Why Grief Endures Beyond 12 Months

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In the most recent publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5-TR, the addition of “prolonged grief disorder” is now the focus of intense scrutiny because it carves out this disorder as a type of grief which goes beyond a year after a death / loss for adults and six months for children and adolescents. For multiple reasons, the medical community prefers to view grief and loss as something that can be completed within a short time frame. However, the very structure and nature of grief, with complex emotions and memories, isn’t time sensitive. I’ve found what compliments resilience and mental wellness isn’t a stop watch, but rather an understanding that grief can’t be folded neatly into a twelve month planner and seeking professional mental health help for grief is a testament to your depth of love. My Psychology Today piece about this was elevated by them to an “Essential Read”.

8 Ways To Manage Your COVID-19 Related Anxiety

Photo: Kristin Meekhof

Photo: Kristin Meekhof

I’ve started writing today’s blog several times now, uncertain, both literally and figuratively of what to write. As I am composing this post, I’m sitting in my usual spot where I write, surrounded by my books, notebooks (I still write longhand) and the public radio is humming; yet, today’s writing feels different. There is a sense of urgency, and still I feel inner calm because I started my day with my same routine. I meditate, do a few journal prompts and drink my coffee. This triple- step ritual bookends my day (in the evening I substitute coffee with tea) and has for years. And in midst of real change it helps to have a bit of routine. So, if you’re wondering what you can do to bring a sense of inner- calm, here are 8 ways to manage your COVID-19 related anxiety- my piece here. I wrote it for Katie Couric’s morning Wake- Up Call Newsletter and to my delight it made it in there twice (March 12 & 14) last week. It was also was a part of the CNN’s Brian Stelter’s Saturday (March 14, 2020) newsletter.

And here are 6 Things YOU can do now to help yourself cope with the pandemic. This is a link to my newest piece for “Psychology Today”.

Also, if you find your mind on the “overwhelm” mode, here is a piece I wrote for “Organic Spa”magazine about how to do a “Mental Detox”. I had the privilege of interviewing my dear friend and mentor Dr. Deepak Chopra for the piece.

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Private Coaching + Work With Me

Boston Museum of Fine Arts: Property of Kristin Meekhof

Are you overwhelmed and not sure what to dive into next? Do you know that you need a change, but not sure what that looks like? Are you uncertain what is holding you back? Are you tired of living in survivor mode?

Perhaps, you’ve read every best- selling self- help book and attended numerous motivational seminars, but still feel stuck. Maybe you want to transition from a particular job and want to take your knowledge and skills somewhere where you feel valued and want to grow with actual positive results, but are filled with anxiety.

If you are cringing at the thought of making a change and want to feel free and empowered, coaching can help.

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Considering A Career Change?

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If you are thinking about a side gig or career change, and perhaps you read my recent piece “5 Things to Consider When Making A Career Change” which “Psychology Today” listed as an “Essential Read” and you’re wondering what your next steps may look like, my “Finding Your Voice” two- day individual retreat can help guide you in creating a blueprint for your transition.

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Celebrating New Office Space

Do you feel like you are sinking due to unrelenting stress? Do you feel like you’re holding your breath and living under water just trying to make it through the day? Do you think your inner world is a tangle of chaos?

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Greetings from New York City & Change Resilience

 

Photo Credit: Whole Planet/ Whole Foods Foundation

Photo Credit: Whole Planet/ Whole Foods Foundation, June 2018

Dear Readers,

Time quickly elapsed since I’ve posted here, so I thought I would update you on some of the events I’ve had the privilege in being a part of these past few months.

Last week, I had the joy of volunteering in Harlem, New York alongside the partners and donors of the Whole Planet/ Whole Foods Foundation. We visited microcredit clients in Harlem with the Whole Planet partner, Grameen America. In addition, we worked with the amazing Green City Force at the Wagner Farms. The young people you see here (in the photo above) are AmeriCorps internes and are learning skills they will be able to integrate into their future while bringing healthy food into the community. The business partners (in photo above) are from Seventh Generation, Papyrus, Whole Foods, Unilever, Chobani, Wallaby, Naked Juice & IZZE.

 

Kristin Meekhof at the New University of Michigan Pathology Center, Ann Arbor, MI

Kristin Meekhof at the New University of Michigan Pathology Center, Ann Arbor, MI, June 2018

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Harvard

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Dear Ones,

I’m so glad it is Spring! I’m spending more time outdoors because I’m training for another half- marathon.

On March 30, my heart skipped more than a few beats when I spoke at the 2017 Harvard Medical School’s writing & publishing conference. I shared a bit about my journey, and talked about resilience. I am indebted to Dr. Julie Silver for her generous invitation. I’m also grateful for the ongoing support from the doctors (who attended the conference), and a handful of us are meeting later this month.

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