It’s time for changes in StressFreeMama.
In 2008, I started StressFreeMama to help mothers learn to cope with stress.
I was a single mom and I had first-hand experience about how difficult parenting alone can be. Trying to keep the kids on track, pay the bills, deal with the ex– there was always something.
Many people helped me through this time and I wanted to give back. The best way I could think of would be to help mothers find more peace in their lives.
So I became obsessed with the question, “How can I help you reduce your stress?”
At the time, I was a Thai Massage practitioner, a yogi, and a lover of essential oils. All 3 of these tools can help with stress. Using them together, I was sure I could help others be more relaxed, content, and happier.
But it didn’t work. I didn’t see the results I had hoped for. Yes, these tools could make you feel better–for a little while.
But sooner or later, your stress came back and you were miserable again.
What was going on? Why didn’t my tools give long-lasting relief?
I couldn’t figure this out. So after a few years, I let StressFreeMama linger. I didn’t know how to help and everything seemed so inadequate.
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The newsletter about living with happiness and well-being.
TaraTrue NewsletterAsking Different Questions
Over the next few years, I observed a lot of people.
I saw them in stress and in happiness. With pain and pain-free. Content and not content.
And I began to realize that I had been looking at the wrong question.
Life can be stressful–it’s the nature of living. So the idea of removing stressors or putting a balm on your stress symptoms is a bit like emptying a lake with a spoon.
It just isn’t going to get you anywhere.
Over time, I realized that instead reducing stress, increasing happiness and well-being was more effective.
Eventually, my new question became, “How can you be happy with or without stress?”
And this took me in a whole new direction.
What’s new for StressFreeMama
With my new perspective, reducing stress seems limited and incomplete. It’s a solution that addresses only part of the problem.
Instead, a more effective solution is to learn to be happy and healthy in any circumstance.
In this vein, I’m switching my efforts to teaching how to live a happy, whole life. I have a new website, TaraTrue. I’ll be offering classes and coaching on wellbeing, happiness, mindfulness, creativity and finding meaning.
What does this mean for you?
I will no longer add articles to StressFreeMama but the existing content will continue to be available.
If you want to follow me or learn more about becoming happy, healthy, and stress-free, sign up for my TaraTrue newsletter. You can also find me at Facebook/TaraTrueLiving
To your happiness, joy, and equanimity,
Julia