Erin's Life Bites
Is Social Media a Mirror of Discontent?

Is Social Media a Mirror of Discontent?

As an American living abroad during the past two election cycles, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated with the state of things back home. To say things are toxic would be an understatement. It seems like everywhere you turn, people are at odds with each other about everything. “Things are changing, get over it.” Before I became a coach, I used to be one of those folks who walked around thinking, “just get over it.” However, these days it is my opinion, and the belief of many great scholars, thinkers, and leaders before me that love and compassion are necessities for living an honest and substantial life. And the truth is; I couldn’t do this without being more loving and compassionate to myself. Self-compassion is something with which the majority of us struggle. It’s much easier to beat ourselves up about our perceived failures or prop ourselves up for our perceived strengths while comparing ourselves to the faults and advantages of the other people than it is, to be honest with ourselves. When we evaluate ourselves so stringently, it doesn’t just stay with us. When we are cutting towards ourselves, we tend to be less kind to others in turn.  I’ve… View Post
3 Ways Being An Expat Is Like Being 15 Again

3 Ways Being An Expat Is Like Being 15 Again

It’s been almost four years since I moved over to Glasgow from America, which is cah-ray-zee.  Living in a new country is exciting and terrifying at the same time.  Being an expat has its ups and downs as well.  I moved to Scotland for love, and there’s plenty of that in my life, but I still have many days when I wonder if I’ll ever really feel at home over here. It’s the little things that make being an expat so tough.  Like, you know, everyday things that you learn to take for granted as part of your life that are missed once you are without them.  The other day I got to thinking after having to add 90 minutes to my travels  — because I had missed the train I needed by one fucking minute — that being an expat is pretty much like being 15 years old again. I don’t know how being 15 worked out for you, but I’d have to say, without ANY hesitation, that my version of 15 sucked pretty hard. Am I dramatic?  Of course, I am.  That’s what I sometimes do, though.  It’s how I cope.  So, you might be wondering specifically in… View Post