This video explores the importance of self-awareness in the process of getting unstuck.

Unstuck in a job.

Unstuck in a romantic relationship.

Unstuck when making an important decision.

We talk a great deal about the importance od healthy communication.

But we often forget that active listening is an equally important part of it all.

Here are some tips to help you become a better listener:

1. Accept and validate feelings
   ⁠
   Accepting that someone is feeling angry, sad, frustrated, confused or happy is a great way to create a safe space for the relationship to grow.⁠ This safe space can allow the other person to feel seen, heard, understood, and appreciated and is the foundation for real emotional connection. This validation can come in the form of non-judgement, of nodding, smiling and simply being there when the other person is sharing something important.

2. Mirror people's communication style
   ⁠
   Adapting your vocabulary, gestures, body posture, tone or intonation to that of your ocnversation partner will help you build rapport and make the person in front of you feel more at ease while sharing and expressing themselves.⁠

This can mean using more visual words if your partner does the same. It can mean speaking faster or slowlier to match the other person's speech speed.

3. Ask open-ended questions

For example:

"How do you view this event?"⁠
"How did you feel?"⁠
"What was important to you in that context?"⁠
"How would you describe it?"⁠
"Where do you stand on that?"⁠

These types of questions create a safe space for the other person to feel like their views, feelings, and experiences matter to you and are being heard.⁠

4. Paraphrase

Sometimes, paraphrasing what the other person said can help us make sure we understood their message clearly and it also makes them see we paid attention.

5. Be kind

What else would you add to this list?

Public speaking can be a challenging task for most of us, so I thought I'd compile a list of tips and tricks that you can follow in order to improve your future presentations.

1. Define the red thread

• what do you want to say? what is the basic idea? can you say this in a concise and believable way?

2. Choose a series of ideas connected to the red thread to give your speech flavour

• What kind of sub-categories can you add? What other ideas are important?

3. Structure ideas and information usnig the following template:

a) Introduction
b) Context
c) Main ideas
d) Practical applications
e) Conclusions

4. Prepare the logistics

• make sure you have everything you need at hand: laptop, microphone, video projector, flipchart, handouts, etc.

5. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse!

• Through the fluency in speech that you achieve when you know exactly what you have to say, you show respect to the audience and your confidence increases as well

For your next presentation, follow these 5 steps and notice how the quality of your speech dramatically increases!

The Enneagram of Personality is a helpful way to understand one’s fears, motivations and needs. It is essential to engage in self-care practices, regardless of one’s personality type.

Because each individual has a different way of directing their energy, it often tends to be the case that some activities that go against one’s typical patterns can heal and support growth.

Enneagram Type 1

Type 1’s are purposeful individuals, who strive for perfection in everything they do. They value living life in an intentional way but often struggle with a very harsh inner critic that pushes them to strive for working as hard as possible to make the world a better place. At their best, type 1 is diligent, intentional and purposeful, inspiring others to also live up to their own ideals. At their worst, however, and during times of stress, they are overly critical of themselves and others, very rigid and have a lot of difficulty relaxing and enjoying the moment.

So what can 1’s do to care for themselves?

->Find a playful activity to engage in regularly – this can help enneagram 1 to release their inner tension and see life from a more fun, light-hearted way

->Surround yourself with people that are more easy-going – similarly, spending time with others who are more enthusiastic, light-hearted and spontaneous can inspire the 1 to engage in such activities once in a while

->Remind yourself that sometimes, 80% is enough – another very important thing for enneagram 1 to understand is that 80 is the new 100. Most often, 80% done is enough.

->Try to do something new at least once a week – opening oneself up to new experiences and ways to do things can really help the 1 loosen up and enjoy the present more in order to recharge their batteries for what’s next on their “to do” list

Enneagram Type 2

Type 2’s are nurturing, helpful, generous individuals who are deeply motivated to put others first. At their best they are highly empathetic but are genuine in caring for others, offering support and balancing their needs with those of others. However, during difficult and stressful times, they tend to be people-pleasing, self-sacrificing in an excessive way, possessive and emotionally manipulative.

So what can 2’s do to care for themselves?

-> Write about the things they feel in a journal – this will help you stay in touch with yourself to avoid pleasing others at the expense of your own needs and desires

-> Ask friends for help when feeling down – it is important for a type 2 to learn to also ask for help, as they are normally so focused on the needs of others that they forget to turn to themselves as well

-> Ask oneself “What do I need?” – a daily check-in practice can really help type 2 to learn to cater for themselves more regularly to avoid becoming overextended and then to leash out aggressively

-> Take a long bath and pamper yourself – a relaxing bath and a self-care ritual can help the 2 to recharge their energy and reconnect with themselves

Enneagram Type 3

Type 3’s are high achievers who are driven to find their self-worth in their success and productivity. At their best, they are charming, inspiring and connect to their calling. At their worst, and during stressful times, they are workaholic, stressed and obsessed with finding validation from others based on their professional accomplishments.

So what can 3’s do to care for themselves?

->Set clear boundaries to separate work from one’s personal life – it is extremely important for a type 3 to learn to take time off and enjoy their personal lives without feeling guilty that they are not doing more work

->Take time to enjoy achievements – because type 3 is so driven to achieve more and more, they might forget to also enjoy what they’ve already done well. Taking time to be happy and grateful for their achievements up to date can be a good source of self love

->Encourage others to work hard for what they believe in – by encouraging others to live purposefully and work hard to make their dreams a reality, type 3s can really connect to their gift and spread it to the world

->Write about their feelings in a journal – it is important for type 3 to learn to also give value to their emotions without suppressing them. Writing in a diary about this can be really helpful.

Enneagram Type 4

Type 4’s are dreamy, romantic individuals who believe in the power of authenticity and emotional truth. At their best, they are highly in tune with who they are and what they believe in and find the discipline to move towards their goals. At their worst, and during difficult times, they become overly emotional, needy and either push others away or desperately try to connect.

So what can 4’s do to care for themselves?

-> Take time to reflect how similarities help people bond – because 4s tend to think that being similar to others is a curse, learning to appreciate the things they have in common with others can really help them connect in a healthier way

-> Find a daily creative outlet – writing, painting, dancing or any other creative activities will allow the type 4 to express themselves in the authentic way they really look for and help them be emotionally consistent

-> Reflect upon their goals & making a plan – type 4 individuals will benefit from making a plan of action towards achieving their goals – this will give them a sense of direction and more discipline (something they often struggle with)

-> Find a fun physical exercise method – being in touch with their bodies can help type 4s to release the intense negative emotions they often experience

Enneagram Type 5

Type 5’s are motivated by the need to be knowledgeable, competent and self-sufficient. At their best, they are experts in a field they invested a lot of time in and use their knowledge to help others. At their worst, and during stressful times, they tend to be scattered, unfocused and anxious about not being useful in the world.

So what can 5’s do to care for themselves?

-> Get in touch with your body by enjoying a physical activity – type 5 can really benefit from finding a physical activity that helps them get in touch with their bodies as it will allow them to come back to reality when they are too caught up in their heads

-> After you learn something new, learn how to apply it – it is important for 5s to not let their knowledge pass away and finding ways to apply what they learn and help others in the process can be a good way to do it

-> Share your knowledge with others – sometimes, enneagram 5 individuals tend to only share what they know to make others look less intelligent. However, changing the perspective and sharing for the purpose of helping other people can do wonders

-> Start socializing more, even if just 1:1 – connecting with other people can be a challenge for the 5, but taking small steps towards it will help them nurture their emotional side as well

Enneagram Type 6

Type 6’s are loyal, responsible and nurturing individuals who look for safety and security above all else. At their best, they are responsible with their work and family life, calm and peaceful. At their worst, they become extremely anxious, fear abandonment and believe they cannot support themselves.

So what can 6’s do to care for themselves?

-> Write about their fears in a journal – this can help them release the tension they often experience while focusing on the worst case scenario

-> Surround themselves with loyal friends – being around such people can help the 6 see that they are safe and they are also able to rely on others, not just the other way around

-> Practice meditation and yoga – engaging in regular activities that ground them and bring their attention to the present can really stimulate type 6s to connect to their own self and let go of their fears

-> Plan a fun vacation – a relaxing and fun holiday or trip of some sort can help type 6s to balance their organized personality with some more peaceful and lighthearted moments

Enneagram Type 7

Type 7’s are enthusiastic, optimistic, spontaneous and ready to experience new and exciting things at every step. At their best, they are fun to be around, inspirational and positive about the future. At their worst, they are scattered, lack discipline and fly away from life’s challenges and issues by denying them.

So what can 7’s do to care for themselves?

-> Embrace silence for a while every day – it’s important for type 7 to learn how to be peaceful in silence, not only when they are on an adventure

-> Talk about what upsets them – type 7 individuals tend to be overly focused on what they like and tend to deny negative emotions. That’s why it is important for them to take time to reflect and talk about the negative things they feel as well

-> Find a morning routine and stick to it – because 7s tend to be rather spontaneous, they often lack discipline – finding a daily routine can help them build some of that structure in their life

-> Take some time to think about what they want to learn – it can highly benefit the 7 to intentionally learn about the things they are interested in rather than just being scattered and trying to pursue everything altogether

Enneagram Type 8

Type 8’s are determined challengers who fight injustice and stand up for themselves and those they care about the most. At their best, they are healthily protective, compassionate and strong. At their worst, during difficult times, they become aggressive, highly confrontational and domineering.

So what can 8’s do to care for themselves?

-> Get a massage and pamper themselves – spending time alone and getting in touch with their bodies can help type 8s to connect to themselves and release the intense anger they often experience

-> Practice compassion and helping others – when type 8 learns to direct their powerful energy to help others and cater for them, they transform into their best selves

-> Find a healthy way to release anger – sports, journalling, yoga, meditation or talking about it can all be useful ways to channel the anger without having it become destructive

-> Spend enough time alone – type 8 individuals tend to be rather extraverted and often very busy – spending time alone regularly can restore their inner balance

Enneagram Type 9

Type 9’s are peaceful, nurturing and harmony-oriented individuals. At their best, they are in touch with themselves and their inner guidance and are excellent mediators and human supporters. At their worst and during difficult times, they become disconnected from reality, out of touch with what they need and extremely conflict avoidant.

So what can 9’s do to care for themselves?

-> Start voicing out their real opinion on something – 9s tend to avoid saying how they feel so they don’t disrupt the harmony, but this inevitably causes them to lose their inner harmony

-> Go on a small adventure – type 9 individuals will benefit from getting out of their house and spending time in nature, doing something that excites them

-> Express their feelings around someone they love and trust – fearing conflict, type 9s tend to have a hard time expressing their true feelings but doing this in an emotionally safe space than really boost their confidence

-> Make a list of goals that inspire them – it will be beneficial for type 9 to focus on what THEY want to accomplish rather than being passive at letting life happen to them

So what is your enneagram type and what do you tend to do to relax?

“Choose a close friend/family member and imagine that you are delivering the speech in front of that person.” (E. Gilbert)

The author of the famous novel “Eat, Pray, Love” offers us an interesting perspective that humanizes the nature of public speaking. There is most likely a fine line between technique and emotion when it comes to public speaking. On the one hand, public speaking involves sharing one’s inner reality with a group of people. On the other hand, public speaking is a tool that we can use to “touch” the audience in a certain way: that is, to have the ability to put into practice elements that can transform the message conveyed so that others understand what we have to say.

So we are talking about a combination between “my inner reality” and “the technique I develop to be able to communicate my inner reality.”

That is why I will return to what Gilbert said to show the beautiful combination between vulnerable humanity and the technique acquired through practice (to help us understand how the two components work together).

When rehearsing an important speech that we are about to deliver in front of a larger group of people, it is important and useful to achieve a well-defined structure. On the other hand, to make sure that the message we convey reaches others clearly, a great way to do that is to imagine, as Gilbert said, that we are delivering the speech in front of someone we know. Or even doing that. The transformation of the orientation of personal mental processes from the inside to the outside happens when an external stimulus calls us and asks us to pay attention to it. Therefore, we will be able to transpose ourselves more easily into the skin of those who will listen to us, showing certain behaviors (use of words, gestures, facial expressions, voice) that better fit the external needs of others.

So my message is: learn the technique of public speaking, but don’t forget to turn to yourself and manifest your inner radiance. Be human, be you.

The world has undoubtedly changed dramatically over the last year. Life as we know it has shifted towards… well, something else. Some people have found it easier to adapt to the existing life conditions, whereas others feel trapped and confused. Regardless of the fact that internet memes suggest that introverts are enjoying isolation times and handling them much better than extroverts, finding joy in their solitude, truth is we are going through a collective trauma, in one way or another. Some are separated from their loved ones, some are afraid for their health, some lost their jobs and have no stable income, some lost loved ones to the virus, some are dealing with a great deal of anxiety over the uncontrollable times ahead.

Up until now, our Western society has been promoting work, movement, rhythm and pace. And now, things have slowed down dramatically. What do we do with that? How do we make use of this time and space to embrace this period and gently take care of the essence hidden within?

Picture this:

“With her eyes gently opened, she delicately places her finger between her lips.

Everything around her is quiet. The only sound she hears while sitting onto the still warm balcony floor tiles is the church bell somewhere in the distance. Her back is slightly tickled by the house’s coarse, lumpy walls, sending a long wave of shivers towards the nape of her neck. Her right arm, twisted around her thin mid-section, is still protecting her body from the gentle wind, while her left one is supporting it, as her wide fingered palm is propping against the auburn floor tiles.

Slowly, while the air that’s just becoming to feel chilly enters her nostrils timidly, she starts connecting with the way her heart is beating. With every breath of fresh air, her body is invaded by vividly colored lights, by chemicals she feels she’s never encountered before, by sounds that make her entire being vibrate.

She raises her left arm from her body and touches the nape of her neck with the tips of her fingers. The slightly rough texture on her skin gets into contact with the far more delicate one that nestles her collarbones and she feels as though an explosion of senses occurs. With every breath, her chest is moving back and forth, inviting her fingers to delicately glide in a magical waltz created by one of the vital functions of any organism.

All of a sudden, she feels as though her fear vanishes. Her anxiety, her agitation, her fear, they all grab each other’s hands, make a bow and turn their backs, disappearing in a cloud of smoke. The liberation felt in that moment makes her body tremble for a few moments, as she closes her eyes. Her eyelashes go down and decide to rest for a while onto the delicate skin covering the bottom side of her eyes.

The breeze intensifies, and her hair becomes a force, whose passion transforms it into a storm, in the middle of which ballerinas are performing an outstanding show. Amid the tiny clouds made of smoke, her dark locks of hair connect and twist around each other, creating a picture, seemingly painted by Salvador Dali.

In that moment, she wakes up from a seemingly profound sleep and her whole being starts to get together into the midpoint of the midpoint, in the center of gravity of her own being. The entire blend of sensations, perceptions, thoughts and emotions is getting pushed together into a ball of light that becomes aware. It becomes aware of its own consciousness.

“I exist.” A simple and seemingly obvious affirmation becomes the echo of herself. “How many times have I truly been aware of my own existence? I often repeat to myself or to others affirmations that reflect my existence in one way or another.”

“ “I’m a woman.” ; “I am young”; “I am a brunette.”; “I am a student”. But I forget to become aware of what the core behind all these affirmations is. I forget to become aware of the fact that I am currently living right here and right now, amid the feeble wind blowing, facing the moonlight, inhaling the intoxicating cigarette smoke. I exist. I pulsate together with the Universe, together with the church bell, together with the temperature of the auburn floor tiles, together with the stars that shine brightly above my head. I exist together with light, heat, time and space. I exist, I exist, I exist.”

Her eyes open, her body raises off the floor tiles and she walks gently back to the dimly lit room, inhaling the vanilla smell exuded by her favorite candles. Allowing her body to delicately glide between the bed sheets, she falls asleep, but the last thought she has before that, is: “I exist. Thank you.” “

Introversion comes along with a superpower. The ability to redirect the mental flow towards the inside. Times like the present one require us, more than ever before in our generation, to make a shift in attention towards our inner life. What kind of emotions are we experiencing and how strong are they? What thoughts are coming up, scaring us? What do we truly and honestly need?

I’m not saying that extroverts wouldn’t benefit from an exercise like this. They probably would just as much. But introverts might find it easier to access such mental processes and also guide others through their inner journey. Let’s start a collective movement of self-love and self-acceptance. Let’s change the rhythm, the pace, the outward perspective our society has gotten us used to.

Remember: “You exist”.

The attachment style reflects the way a human being forms and maintains relationships with those around him/her. The attachment style theory was formulated by the British psychiatrist John Bowlby, who initially analyzed the behavior of ducklings in relation to their mother, relatively quickly after birth.

The theory of attachment (Bowlby, 1969) is recognized as part of the established theories in psychology and shows us that there are 3 major attachment styles: secure, anxious and avoidant. The child forms a predominant attachment style in the first two years after birth and this attachment style remains relatively stable throughout life. This means that although each person manifests specific characteristics of all 3 major attachment styles, one of them dominates and is most often seen in the individual’s close relationships (with romantic partners, friends and family).

The anxious attachment style is characterized by insecurity, by an exaggerated tendency to seek confirmation from the romantic partner or other loved ones. People with a predominantly anxious attachment style tend to cling to loved ones and often constantly look for confirmations that the love for them is still there. These confirmations can come verbally (when, for example, the partner tells them that he/she loves them, that he / she misses them, that he / she has strong feelings for them, etc.) or non-verbally (giving gifts, time spent in together, offering help, etc.). Paradoxically, however, people with a predominantly anxious attachment style tend to question these “confirmations” from loved ones and look for evidence once again. This behavior can push away those close to them, and this is exactly the scenario that the anxious person wants to avoid: the loss of a partner, friend, etc. Deep down, people with an anxious attachment style have a strong fear of rejection, loss, abandonment, which causes them to manifest behaviors that may seem desperate or possessive in the eyes of others.

The avoidant attachment style seems to be the opposite of the anxious one, as it is manifested by behaviors that, like the name, tend to detach the person from loved ones. People with an avoidant attachment style seem to run away from closeness and intimacy, and this is because they are afraid of getting lost in a codependent relationship. When the person with an anxious attachment style feels insecure, they become possessive and jealous. In the same scenario, the person with an avoidant attachment style however, moves away. For a person with a predominantly avoidant attachment style, it is very important not to lose the sense of identity in relationships with others. On the other hand, this style of attachment is also based on insecurity, and from this point of view, the anxious and the avoidant have a lot in common.

The secure attachment style is characterized by balance. People who manifest this attachment style predominantly are people who feel comfortable in interdependent relationships but also when they are alone. They do not seek at all costs to be in a relationship, but they are not overly enchanted by the image of the “ideal partner”. These people understand that it is important to choose a partner with similar values ​​and with whom they are compatible, but they have the ability to tolerate aspects that an avoider would see as “issues that cannot be tolerated”. People from this category want relationships but are aware that sometimes these relationships end and see breakups as proof of natural selection rather than as a tragedy, as the anxious sees them.

Each person exhibits traits specific to each attachment style, even if one of them is usually dominant. Also, the attachment style of the people with whom we have a close relationships (for example) can lead us to reveal features specific to a certain attachment style. For example, if we are in a relationship with a very anxious person, we can become more “avoidant” in relation to them. If our partner displays traits and behaviors specific to the avoidant style, then we may become more anxious. However, along with someone with a predominantly secure attachment style, most people begin to exhibit more and more secure behaviors in turn, healing from existing wounds.