It's June!

Wow! We're here. Half of the year is almost gone. How are you doing? Have you completed your spring cleaning? Not just the house, the cars, and packing up the winter belongings. Have you done the internal cleaning?

Starting over is hard. It requires emotional stability while still trying to move forward with your heart broken in pieces and you're still trying to figure out what happened. However, you have to try and find a way to keep it together.

I remember when I first moved out. I was filled with so much anxiety, I could barely keep it together. Even though I was falling apart internally, I still had to work. The bills didn't stop just because I was crumbling. I also had to support a child playing sports and care for a dog. However, in my mind, I kept saying that I can do this. This was before I sought therapy and coaching. Needless to say, I was a mess.

It's funny now, but at the time, it was serious. It was a daily act of survival. The ritual of one day at a time became real for me. If I needed to be at my son's game, or support his travel games, that was all I could give. My priorities were never a question, but my energy level took a hit.

Let's look into emotional intelligence. It's what helped me keep my emotions in check during this tough time.

Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and influence emotions in oneself and others. It plays a crucial role in how we interact with others, make decisions, and navigate social complexities.

Emotional intelligence is typically broken down into five key components:

• Self-Awareness: The ability to recognize and understand one's own emotions and how they affect thoughts and behavior.

• Self-Regulation: The capacity to manage one's emotions, control impulses, and adapt to changing circumstances.

• Motivation: The drive to pursue goals with energy and persistence, often influenced by intrinsic factors such as personal values and interests.

• Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others, which helps in building strong interpersonal relationships.

• Social Skills: Proficiency in managing relationships and building networks, including effective communication and conflict resolution.

 Emotional intelligence is important for several reasons:

• Effective Communication: Individuals with high EI are often better communicators, as they can understand and respond to the emotions of others.

• Better Decision-Making: EI contributes to more rational decision-making by balancing emotional and logical considerations.

• Stress Management: Understanding and managing emotions can lead to better coping strategies in stressful situations.

Improving emotional intelligence is a lifelong process that can be cultivated through various practices:

• Practice Self-Reflection: Regularly assess your emotional responses and how they affect your behavior.

• Seek Feedback: Ask for constructive feedback from others to gain insight into how your emotions impact those around you.

• Improve Empathy: Try to understand situations from other people's perspectives and validate their feelings.

• Enhance Communication Skills: Work on active listening and expressing your thoughts and emotions clearly.

• Manage Stress: Develop stress-reduction techniques, such as mindfulness or meditation, to maintain emotional balance.

Emotional intelligence is a vital skill that enhances personal and professional relationships, decision-making, and overall well-being. By developing the components of EI, individuals can improve their interactions and lead more fulfilling lives.

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Oh my goodness! That's a lot right! Well, rebuilding your life is a lot of work, and maintaining and improving your EI enhances what you've worked on. I will tell you this, practicing EI helped me with the communication with everyone. When you're under a lot of stress, it's easy to snap, but that helps no one.

I'm sharing this side of my life with you to tell you that as you are doing your spring cleaning, don't forget the most important thing to clean; your internal self. Always work on your emotional intelligence. Your emotional awareness shapes the way you respond to things. Your EI will keep you grounded and able to grow! Peace and Love! 💜