Life By Design Therapy

  I used to think distraction meant I wasn’t trying hard enough, like I just needed more focus or better discipline. But I realized that distraction isn’t always about willpower. Sometimes, it’s your nervous system gently saying, “This is too much.” When we’re in survival mode, whether from chronic stress, burnout, trauma, or just too much on our plates, our focus can slip. Not because we’re lazy, but because our body is trying to protect us from overwhelm. Instead of pushing through, it can help to pause and ask: 🌱 Have I actually rested lately? 🌱 Am I avoiding something that feels hard to face? 🌱 What have I been brushing past or stuffing down? Distraction isn’t a flaw, but rather a message. One that says: you’ve been carrying a lot, and it’s okay to slow down. In my blog, I discuss more about this & ways you can support yourself when you’re feeling the need to distract and disconnect. You can find the link to read in my bio! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  I’ve noticed that when I’m having trouble focusing, it’s rarely just about distractions. It’s often a sign that my nervous system is overstimulated, overwhelmed, or simply needs a moment of care. In my work (and in my own life), I’ve found that focus isn’t just a mental skill…it’s a whole-body experience . When we feel safe, regulated, and grounded, focus becomes much more accessible. If you’ve been struggling to stay present or productive lately, these 6 nervous-system-based tools can help bring you back into balance: Use your senses to support focus – Gentle sensory input like warm tea, textured objects, or calming music can help anchor you in the moment. Let your body give you feedback – Tune into sensations like tight shoulders or a racing heart. These cues tell you what your body needs like rest, movement, or just a pause. Use grounding practices to become present – Try orienting to your environment, deep breathing, or pressing your feet into the floor. These small practi...

  June is PTSD Awareness Month 💙 PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) isn’t just something that happens to veterans or people who’ve been through “big” traumas. It can stem from any experience that overwhelmed your ability to cope, car accidents, childhood trauma, medical events, abuse, loss… the list goes on. PTSD can look like flashbacks, anxiety, emotional numbness, feeling constantly on edge, or struggling to trust or feel safe, even long after the event is over. If this sounds familiar, you’re not broken. Your nervous system adapted to survive. And healing is possible. Support from a trauma-informed therapist can help you slowly feel safer in your body, in your relationships, and in your day-to-day life. You deserve that healing. You don’t have to carry it alone. 💛 https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/trauma-therapy

  When it’s hard to focus, it’s easy to blame things like too much screen time, not enough willpower, or falling behind on another productivity hack. But struggling to focus usually isn’t about a lack of discipline; it could be your body or mind trying to tell you something. Sometimes we push past those signals without even realizing it. We distract ourselves because sitting with what we’re really feeling can be uncomfortable. Distraction isn’t a bad habit; it can actually be a way our system protects us from feeling overwhelmed. You might notice your attention slipping when there’s something underneath the surface that hasn’t had space to be felt. And the more we ignore that, the harder it is to stay present. But when we pause and notice what’s really going on inside, it becomes easier to come back to the present moment. Regaining focus is possible, you just need to learn how to build awareness around your patterns. And that starts with paying attention to what’s happening within....

  6 Ways to Return to the Present When Your Mind Won’t Stay Put When it’s hard to focus, it’s easy to blame things like too much screen time, not enough willpower, or falling behind on another productivity hack.  But struggling to focus usually isn’t about a lack of discipline; it could be your body or mind trying to tell you something. Sometimes we push past those signals without even realizing it. Click the link in bio to read the full blog. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/blog/6-ways-to-return-to-the-present-when-your-mind-wont-stay-put

  Today is Juneteenth, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Though it has existed in some states (like Texas) since 1865, it was only declared a federal holiday in 2021. Life by Design Therapy recognizes the importance of this step -- but also that it is not enough to reconcile the structural racial inequalities that remain entrenched in American society. We want to bring awareness to this day, and acknowledge all the difficult steps it took to get here. Let’s continue to spread awareness around the strain racial inequalities have taken on Mental Health! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/