Author: Kim Fluxgold

Every year, for the past several, I have chosen “a word” to guide me through the year ahead. 


As I’ve mentioned several times, I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions as they have a 99.999 % chance of failure. A “word”, however, can help you to better focus on your goals and set intentions for all areas of your life instead. 


We are now a month into the new year. I’ve struggled to find my perfect word for 2025, that was until I recently started reading the new Mel Robbins book which I’d been excitedly waiting for its release, and realized I’d known my word all along. 


“Let them” may not actually be just one word, but is instead “two simple words” that “will change how you think about your entire life.”


Mel, who is a New York Times bestselling author, motivational speaker, a favourite Podcaster amongst the millions of her followers, first intoduced this since viral “Let Them” theory back in May of 2023 to the world. Her daughter was the inspiration behind it.


I turn to Mel often for guidance and inspiration which was why, after I kept seeing it show up on my social media threads daily, I decided to write a blog about the “Let Them” theory last spring. It has helped me to shift my energy and focus in several areas of my life. More importantly, it’s helped me to understand my boundaries and to stop expecting certain people to show up in my life in ways I need them to, but just can’t. 


I’m not quite there yet. I am still a work in progress and still learning how to fully protect my energy by not giving all my power away. I’m still trying to let go of things that no longer serve me which is why I am taking these two simple words with me into 2025 so I can focus on what truly matters to me by releasing the tightly held grip on what I can’t control. I know, wholeheartedly, how beneficial it is for my healing journey. 


My blog I wrote last year: https://wheredidmommyssmilego.com/2024/05/27/let-them-theory/


#letthemtheory #letthem #healing #mywordfor2025 #twosimplewords #healthyboundaries #incontrol #melrobbins #inspiration #motivational #mentalhealth #wellbeing #wheredidmommyssmilego #reading #blogging

1st month of 2025 is already in the books (only 48 days until spring!).

Thought it was a good idea to do a check-in today to see how you’re all doing and how you’d rate your 2025 is going so far for you.

For me, I feel like all I’m doing lately is surviving, but I survived month one. Yay, me!

Never underestimate the power of rewarding yourself, not merely because you did something well, do it for your healing, and because you survived another day.

#monthonedone #survival #2025 #healing #reward #myjourney #selfcare #checkin #mentalhealth #wellbeing #itsoktonotbeok #youareenough

Eight years ago today, on January 28, 2017, I posted my very first blog to Facebook (I did not create my actual blog website: youareenough712.wordpress.com until later that same year). In this first blog post I expressed some very personal details and asked myself an endless stream of difficult questions; many of which have still been left unanswered to this day and to be perfectly honest, probably never will be. I titled the blog post “The New Norm.” 


I don’t feel the need nor desire to reshare it with you again today because I realized just how much of my journey has shifted and evolved since then and that so much of what I wrote at the time feels irrelevant as to who I am in present day. It’s been a very bumpy ride but thanks to the many, many hours and patience of my wonderful therapist over the past many years I’ve discovered parts of ME I never even knew existed before which has also afforded me an opportunity to find some critical answers to a few of those burning questions I asked myself in “The New Norm”.


But I would once again like to reshare with you another blog I wrote a few years ago on January 28, 2019 on the 7th Anniversary of Jacob and Hannah’s B’nai Mitzvah which took place on January 28, 2012. I can’t believe it’s been 13 years already since one of the greatest nights of my life, my husband’s life and my children’s lives took place. (Check it out here for all the details: 


https://youareenough712.wordpress.com/2019/01/28/misty-water-coloured-memories/)

I was so happy that night, trust me when I tell you, I was legit happy, living in the moment and beaming with pride. I’d spent countless months and hours leading up to that night planning and creating every last detail for our beautiful and super fun, Simcha. Never once throughout the evening did I have to pretend I was okay, not for even one second did I truly believe in my heart that I was anything but fine because I was fine, except now, as I look back on those incredible memories I find myself feeling sad and vulnerable sometimes when I look at that person in those pictures because to be perfectly honest again, she no longer exists. She is gone. I don’t even recognize her beauty and confidence or her zest for life. A new version of ME stepped into her role of mom, wife, sister, daughter, and friend just two short years later.


One of the many questions I ask myself in that first Blog “The New Norm” (and quite often since the beginning) was could I have somehow tried to stop the onset of my illness from happening? What could I have done differently? I was happy, I was fine, I was okay but I know now that the one thing the old version of ME was missing in her life was purpose and maybe that meant I needed to take this path in order for ME to find it. 


#blogger #childrensbookauthor #youareenough #mentalhealthadvocate #purpose #me #mentalwellness #mentalhealth #thenewnorm #wheredidmommyssmilego #depression #anxiety #suicideawareness #itsoktonotbeok #youarenotalone

A large part of my healing journey, especially over the last few years, has been learning ways to cope with and escape from my past traumas and present day struggles that continue to allow others, undeserving others that is, to steal my mental energy and take up valuable space in my head. 


Healing is hard. It’s been a constant battle. I am easily overwhelmed and triggered on a daily basis, but I made a promise to myself to work at being more gentle on myself. I’m learning ways for which I can protect that prime real estate in my head from the unwanted squatters. Nourishing it by surrounding myself with people who I know will only add value to my precious property and knowing that it’s more than okay to serve eviction notices where necessary.


Today, I went for a swim at my mother in law’s condo. I dipped my feet first before diving in, drowning out all the squatters who try to steal my mental energy and take up undeserving rent-free space in my head.

One lap at a time.


#selfcare #growth #mentalenergy #squatters #primerealestate #healing #myjourney #trauma #mentalhealth #wellbeing #onelapatatime #swimming 

Today is Bell Lets Talk Day in Canada. It’s now in its 15th year.


This year’s initiative is prioritizing the ever-growing mental health crisis amongst our youth.


An initiative I am most passionate about in my advocacy projects. 


Suicide is the second leading cause of death among our young people. 


Struggles with anxiety, depression, bullying, loneliness, eating disorders, and peer pressure are leading to more and more suicides among adolescents, teenagers, and young adults than ever before. 


It is no secret that our adolescents, teenagers, and young adults today are experiencing many more struggles and issues in regard to their mental well-being than ever before. It is widespread, universal, and prevalent in every age group that I have mentioned above. Statistics have proven that technology and social media have magnified their struggles at an alarming rate, and evidence shows that their constant consumption of these platforms is affecting how they learn, sleep, communicate, and even show kindness.


Many of our youth may be hesitant or too ashamed to tell someone they are struggling for fear they will feel misunderstood or worry that a loved one or trusted adult will become angry or disappointed with them; or begin to judge them as well. Some however may choose to share their secret though, usually with a peer, even to go so far as to ask them not to tell anyone else which may sometimes become quite burdensome to their confidant without even realizing it.


Let’s all make a promise today to make meaningful change and support normalizing the conversation surrounding mental health. “Let’s all keep talking and taking action to create real change for mental health.” ~Bell Lets Talk 


You can start today by texting “YOUTH” to 45678 in Canada to donate $5. Bell Canada will match every contribution.


Our youth matter.


#bellletstalk #startaconversation #youthmentalhealth #meaningfulchange #ouryouthmatter #youareenough #mentalhealth #kindness #keeptalking #bellcanada #advocacy #mentalwellbeing 

Hugs are universal.

They span across every culture, every environment, every belief, and every language.

They are gentle reminders of our shared humanity, a kind gesture, a special bond, or a welcomed comfort; and the best part of all is that hugs are always free.

Celebrate “National Hugging Day” today with a warm embrace, just because.

#nationalhuggingday #hugs #universal #warmth #hugsarefree #sharedhumanity #mentalhealth

Please see the attachment below. I wanted to reshare a blog I wrote a few years ago.

https://youareenough712.wordpress.com/2019/01/21/stop-calling-it-blue-monday/

“A perfect marriage is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other.” ~ Author Kate Stewart. 

Every year on January 19th, I am reminded of the day I was finally discharged from my first of many (long-term) hospital stays thanks to my Facebook memories.

It was on that cold winter’s day, January 19th, 2015 that I returned home from the hospital after spending an exhausting three (plus) months in the Psychiatric Ward at Sunnybrook Hospital; which included many trials and tribulations with medications and a failed attempt at 8 sessions of ECT (Electroconvulsive Treatment). It was a time in my life that, to this day, I can honestly say are still some of the darkest days of my journey thus far.

I am also reminded today just how much I don’t need perfection, I just need someone who won’t give up on me which I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say, almost 11 years into my mental health journey and a few short months shy of our 30th wedding anniversary this coming May, that I found that person. 

No marriage comes without its challenges. Conflict is inevitable. Boundaries imperative. But a healthy marriage will thrive on the acceptance of one another’s imperfections and have the ability to embrace each other’s flaws, giving space for the other person to feel safe and secure enough to express themselves without the fear of judgment or rejection. Compassion and understanding help to create both a nurturing and deeper connection. 

NO marriage is perfect. But when we acknowledge, accept and even embrace each other’s imperfections and vulnerabilties we open our hearts up to sacrifice, tolerance, forgiveness,  unconditional love, and a willingness to work through the difficult storms together. 

Thank you to my Facebook memories today for reminding me all the reasons why I fell in love with you all those years ago, Rich. Thank you, Rich, for showing me that I am enough. Thank you for your strength and resilience. Thank you for your continued and unwavering commitment to our family and for your refusal to ever give up on me and our imperfectly perfect marriage. I am forever grateful. 

“Imperfection is not a weakness but a source of beauty, growth, and resilience.”~unknown 

#nomarriageisperfect #imperfections #unconditionallove #sacrifice #facebookmemories #mentalhealth #wellbeing #grateful #itsoktonotbeok #youareenough #everyoneneedsarich #summerofrich 

Being yourself takes great strength and courage.

It means embracing your vulnerabilities.

It means empowering ourselves to accept who you are and not who others think you should be; flaws and all.

Brené Brown once said, “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do”.

#bravery #courage #strength #flaws #vulnerabilities #empowerment #mentalhealth #wellbeing #mystory #blogger #author #YouAreEnough #selflove

Mental breakdowns are somewhat of a daily occurrence for me, but no matter what the challenge or stressor is that I am facing in the moment, I need to keep reminding myself to fill my own cup first. We all know that it’s impossible to pour from an empty cup, so we must learn to fill our own cup first in order to allow others to benefit from our overflow. 


So, as we start a new week, let’s remember that it’s okay to lean into your emotions. It’s okay to feel your feelings. Trust in the process. 


Everyone is allowed to have bad days. Just promise me, though, that even on the bad days, you keep filling your cup.


#fillyourcup #mentalbreakdown #selfcare #overflow #emptycup #challenges #stressors #strength #mentalhealth #wellbeing #trusttheprocess #feelyourfeelings #baddays #leanintoyouremotions #mondaymotivation #youareenough