Archive / Author

A Fun Memory Filled With Joy, Happiness, Honor & Gratitude

Gretta

I’m so thankful and honored to be able to do the work I love as a mindset and resilience coach. Today, this memory appears on my social media feed, so I’m sharing it with you.

Here’s what Television Personality (regular contributor on “The View”, “Rachael Ray Show”) Owner of Gretta Spa (Connecticut & in Boston) Lifestyle Expert, Blogger, Author, Gretta Monahan says in our live Instagram conversation ~

“I call you my coach and my healer…..There’s no one more capable of helping us take the darkest times and moments and occurrences and help us to strategically and emotionally believe it or not… turn it into our superpower and our strength.”

And here’s a link to work with me.

Links to Love

I’m still feeling love looking at this photo of my mother taken exactly one year ago today on Valentine’s Day. She’s the reason a solo parenting chapter exists in “A Widow’s Guide to Healing”. My mother was the first widow I knew (her husband, my father died in 1979 at age 30 from advanced cancer). She told me in 1979 there weren’t any books for single parents dealing with grief. For this chapter, I spoke with other solo mothers who graciously shared their stories, and I included my own thoughts about being the daughter of a solo mother.

Since February is a bittersweet month, and focusing on love can bring out mixed emotions, taking a pause to think about self- love and examining personal growth can be helpful. I’m honored to be included in this Huffington Post piece written by Anika Nayak.

This month is also an opportunity to offer support to Black-owned businesses, celebrate Black literature, and learn new ways to honor the Black experience. I’m delighted to share how I’m celebrating Black History Month in this Thrive Global piece written by Marina Khidekel.

On a different note- Are you ready for a change (personal and/ or professional)? Check out this piece I wrote for Katie Couric’s newsletter. What a joy to include entrepreneur, keynote speaker, New York Times best-selling author Jesse Itzler’s thoughts in my write-up.

For all those in the publishing world, you know this is a BIG deal. On February 3, 2022, this photo from Publisher’s Weekly was in their newsletter and showcased on one of their their Instagram accounts. This photo (I didn’t pay for the PR) was taken in December 2021 at my favorite indie bookstores in Ann Arbor, Michigan- Crazy Wisdom. I remain grateful to them as they were the one of the first bookstores to host a book signing engagement for me as a debut author.

The Courage to Grieve

I’m thrilled and deeply honored to be Denise Ilitch’s podcast guest. She is a University of Michigan Regent, and now a podcast host of her own show. In our conversation (14 minutes) we speak about confidence, courage and counseling. Here is a link to listen, and thank you for being a part of my community.

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A Season of Transforming Caregiving & Resilience

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During this season, resilience is on my mind. Recently, a close friend told me she admired how resilient I am. At first, her remarks caught me by surprise because I admire her so, and her words truly matter to me. I listened as she offered me beautiful thoughts about how I handled the challenges and losses in my life. And tears flowed, as I realized how important this conversation was for both of us. When she asked how I increased resilience, I told her that it was modeled for me very early in my childhood. Even though I didn’t know it at the time, my paternal grandparents (photo above is of my paternal grandma) and mother were exceptional examples.

I also wrote about resilience for “Organic Spa”; in the piece I offer tips for reclaiming resilience .

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8 Ways To Manage Your COVID-19 Related Anxiety

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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Mindful Ambition Personal Retreat

For 2020, I’m thrilled to announce I’ll be leading personal retreats focused on Mindful Ambition. This customized 1:1 retreat is for the person who desires to expand their brand, develop meaningful content, write powerful messages, learn how to develop authentic relationships, feel comfortable with their own voice, and stamp out fear all through the lens of mindfulness.

Participants may be the creative, a C- Suite executive, an author-to- be, a blogger, well- being enthusiast, runner, yogi or someone who simply desires more happiness and positive growth. Together we will meet to create your blueprint and shape your outcomes.

What you will leave with is a clear plan for sharing your message, strategies for growth (personal and /or professional), and ongoing support for your work. You will feel relief that you’ve put a plan in place and empowered to move onward. While you may be a bit anxious that you’re finally holding yourself accountable, you also know deep down this is the time for you to elevate yourself. You are not alone in your journey. Contact me here for a special 20 percent discount and more details.

Authentic + Intuitive Marketing

One of the most common questions I’m asked is “What public relations firm did you hire to make your book a success?”

The answer may surprise you.

When it came to building a platform for “A Widow’s Guide to Healing” , countless hours of strategy and secret growing went into creating a blueprint for success. I did not have a fancy PR firm, nor do I have a degree in design or advertising. The world of marketing was foreign to me, so the learning curve was steep. However, I did it all on my own through intuitive & authentic marketing. I built relationships with luminaries, like Dr. Deepak Chopra, who is now my friend and mentor. My cover blurbs from him and Maria Shriver came as a result of writing for Huffington Post and The Shriver Report. I reached out directly to Katie Couric as well, which resulted in two interviews.

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When it came to the Live Happy book ( I wrote a chapter about gratitude), Organic Spa magazine, American Greetings, Refinery 29 and others, I knew no one at each of these platforms. So, I did a “cold email” (think cold call). And believe it or not, it was a “cold email” that led to my writing the script for a live 1 hour Twitter Chat at ABC World News Headquarters (New York City). For this tweet chat about the physical effects of grief I obtained participating organizations like Mayo Clinic, American Heart Association, American Greetings among others.

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Considering A Career Change?

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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Saying “YES” to Giving & “YES” to YOU

Photo: Kristin Meekhof

Shortly after my husband died I was in a local grocery at the check out counter and barely holding it together. I avoided all eye contact with the clerk. Then I heard her ask if I wanted to donate a $1 to a local food bank. For whatever reason it grabbed my attention.
I said “YES”.

At that moment something inside me lit up.

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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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Kristin on the Dr. Laura Ciel Show

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