Today I'm sharing an interesting podcast episode, the link for the full episode is at the bottom. Comment below if you find this type of content fascinating. 

From KimHoneycutt.com :
Attorney Lori “Mouth of the South” Murray and Kim sit down and explore Lori’s firsthand experience with the Alex Murdaugh trial. Lori has been on CourtTv and many other media outlets, helping us understand the many facets of this notorious S.C. trial! Lori was in the courtroom during the Murdaugh trial, giving us an idea of the climate. Join them as they discuss the legal and psychological aspects of the Murdaugh family and trial! This powerful podcast combines the two professional worlds that Kim absolutely loves: legal and psychology!
They Discuss:  

• TikTok and Attention 
• Details of the trial
• Post-psychological impact for all directly involved
• Diagnosis of Alex Murdaugh 
• Psychopathy vs. Sociopath
• Narcissism 
• Drug addiction & Drug cartel 
• Empathy 
• Small town mentality 
  
  
  About Lori:
  Lori is an aggressive litigator and negotiator focusing on criminal defense and personal injury matters. As a former prosecutor, she has the experience needed to navigate the unknowns of the legal process.
  
  

You can listen to the full podcast here!

Life transitions like marriage, divorce, losing a job, or moving to a new city invariably bring vast, sweeping changes. You’re pushed out of your comfort zone and forced to do things differently. Now, this doesn’t have to be a bad thing: We all have bad habits that don’t serve us, and the huge changes that are happening are essentially wiping your slate clean. You could ride this transition wave toward a new way of being, where you do things better than you used to and build a better life for yourself. Today, Breathe explains how you could replace negative habits with positive ones during major life transitions:  
Understand that making positive change is a process
Bad habits don’t disappear overnight. They’re a pattern ingrained into your psyche and cemented by repetition and practice. You’ll have to transform them – essentially, replace the old pattern with a new one. Time advocates a 5-step process: stress-busting, understanding your triggers, finding replacement habits, having good motivation, and setting new goals.   
Replace your old attitude  
Your mindset shapes your beliefs and guides your actions. Negative attitudes like being judgmental, impatient, arrogant, and stubborn will keep you stuck in negative patterns of behavior and being. You could work on replacing them with positive, opposing attitudes – being more accepting, patient, humble, and flexible, for instance. 
Get gardening to bust stress and bolster your mental health 
Gardening is one of the most healthful activities in existence and has long been associated with longevity. Spending a few minutes gardening every day can drastically reduce your stress levels, naturally bolster your mood, help you get your daily dose of Vitamin D, and be good physical exercise besides. For added health benefits (and saving grocery bills), you can grow your own fruits and vegetables for consumption. You can even connect with passionate fellow gardeners or find a gardening club in your neighborhood.
Change up your non-satisfying relationships 
The people you spend time with have a massive influence on your attitudes, happiness levels, and life in general. If you find yourself in toxic relationships with people who don’t support you or don’t have your best interest at heart, it’s time to change things up. Consider setting stronger boundaries, spending more time with yourself, and, of course, finding new people. 
Replace your old unhealthy food choices 
Sugary sodas, snacks, and junk food bring down your energy levels, affect your mood, and even lead to health problems like diabetes and heart issues. Healthier food, needless to say, will give you more energy, keep health problems at bay, and make you happier. There are healthier alternatives for almost any food item you can think of, and they taste the same.  FirstCry Parenting offers a nice list. If you garden actively, you can plant your own healthy vegetables – beets, carrots, kale, green beans, and more. 
Transform your unhealthy lifestyle 
An unhealthy lifestyle is living life without taking care of yourself. It may involve not exercising enough, not hydrating enough, sitting still for too long, drinking too much alcohol, and watching too much TV (or having too much screen time). Creating and following a simple self-care routine will allow you to take better care of yourself. Gardening, as mentioned earlier, is one of the best self-care activities and fun besides. 
Change jobs
Nobody likes the stress that goes with putting yourself back on the job market, but if you aren’t happy with your current position, it’s probably time to look elsewhere. Luckily, there are tools you can use to give yourself an advantage over the competition. For instance, you may want to try a resume builder that takes advantage of time-tested templates to highlight your hard-won skills. And best of all, it’s free!
Of course, another option is to become your own boss. It’s a great way to transition into something more positive and satisfying. All you need is a solid business plan, a good attitude, and some seed money. You can limit the risk to your personal assets by registering as an LLC, which offers certain legal protections and tax benefits. But regulations can vary by location so make sure you’re adhering to the specific LLC rules for your state – or better yet, get an online formation service to help you get started! 
Conclusion
Major life transitions may be turbulent, but they teach valuable lessons and are a golden opportunity to make positive changes in your life, whether that’s updating your resume and changing jobs or starting a business of your own. Remember, it helps to be kind to yourself and remind yourself that any chaos (or pain) is fleeting – that this, too, shall pass, and better days will come.

​Article courtesy of Michelle Peterson
Photo by Ignacio Correia 🟢 on Unsplash

Getting back on track to sobriety after experiencing addiction can be one of the most difficult journeys to have to go through. However, with the right habits and support, you can be on the road to recovery sooner than you think.

Visit Breathe., LLC for telehealth options to help you get back on the road to recovery. 

Exercise is a must
Getting into the habit of exercising regularly will be your saving grace if you want to avoid the trappings of your past. When you exercise, your body and mind grow stronger and more resilient day by day. Exercising is also a positive habit to help replace a negative pattern of behavior if you're looking for a healthy distraction.

Follow the right diet
Following the right diet is what is also going to be key to your success in maintaining a healthier lifestyle. Moreover, your body may be craving essential vitamins and minerals that may have been depleted over time. Again, it's about replacing negative behaviors with positive ones that are good for the body and mind. Eating a balanced meal will also help to stabilize your emotions and mood.

Start the day off with the right attitude
How you start your day can determine what the rest of your day will be like. Therefore, if you decide to wake up early to spend time meditating on good things before you rush ahead with your day, this can only help you achieve the goals you set out for the day. Again the focus here is on building positive habits so that you don't fall into old and familiar patterns. Other examples could include switching off from social media or reading an uplifting book instead of watching the news to help get you in the right mindset.

Minimize those things causing you stress
While a little bit of stress can actually be beneficial in helping you break out of a rut, too much stress can actually have the opposite effect causing ill health and mental disorders. This could then end up delaying your progress, especially if you suddenly take ten steps back for every one step forward. So if you feel like stress is getting the best of you, seek help now before it's too late from support groups as well as trusted friends and family members who you can open up to in your time of need.

Don't neglect your sleep
Sleep is an essential component of healthy living and healthy thinking. Moreover, it is one of those things that we can easily neglect because of the busyness of life. However, don't let busyness get the better of your sleeping pattern, as you will need as much rest as possible in order to heal properly. 

Spend time on yourself
If you find that you have lost your way en route to sobriety, then it is vital to spend time on yourself to get to know your authentic self again. A remedy for this is implementing self-care as part of your daily routine so that you don't lose sight of yourself in the recovery process. For example, treat yourself to a shopping splurge if you find retail therapy therapeutic, spend time outdoors if you feel re-energized by being in the open air, or do a hobby such as arts and crafts if you have a creative streak that is just waiting to be unleashed.

Remember, it is entirely possible to get your life back on track to what it used to be before you felt the world crumble beneath your feet. Simply start off small with positive, uplifting steps in the right direction, and soon you'll be making greater strides than you ever imagined possible.


Image via Pexels

Written by guest author:
Michelle Peterson
michelle@recoverypride.org
Recoverypride.org

​
 
One of the most difficult times of the year for those recovering from a substance use disorder is Thanksgiving to Valentines Day holiday season. If you find yourself struggling during these times, you are not alone! Here are some tips to help you from taking a first drink or drug.
 
1.Plan Each and Every Day of Your Holiday
Plan to spend most of the time with family and friends that are supportive of your recovery. If you are required to be present for social gathering where alcohol is being served, bring a fellow AA member with you. Plan fun events and outings to replace your old drinking rituals.
 
2.Find and “Alc-a-Thon” in Your Area
 
During the holiday season, some AA groups hold a marathon of meetings called an “Al-ca-thon”. It is a time when the members of Alcoholics Anonymous gather together to celebrate their recovery from alcohol and addiction. Many AA groups have meetings on the hour every hour to share their experience, strength, ahd hope. If you are not a member of the fellowship or think that you might have a problem with alcohol, you are welcome to attend. Check the local papers for an “Alc-ca-thon” in your area.
 
3.Ask for Support from Your Family and Friends
 
Those who truly support your recovery will be happy to help you throughout the holidays. Be up front and tell them your concerns.
 
4.Have a List of at Least Ten People you can call if you feel the Urge to Drink
 
Make a list and check it twice. Always carry your cell phone and your list of names. The urge to drink is very powerful and can happen anytime.
 
5. Don’t Forget about Regular Exercise
 
Regular exercise is an essential component of any balance recovery program. If you have extra time on your hands, it is a great idea to get out and exercise. Examples include running, skating, cross country skiing, stretching, yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates or water aerobics. Instead of napping on the couch after dinner, go for a walk around the block.
 
6. Stay Away from Slippery Places
There is absolutely no reason to ever check out your former favorite drinking establishments. It is very likely that your old drinking buddies are still there and are still telling the same old stories.
 
7. Join us for an Alcohol-Free Event
We recently started a nonprofit for people in recovery, Grace & Sobrie-Tea. Please check out our website for upcoming events!