THE ATTITUDE IS GRATITUDE By Sara Stepa

Hey Party People,  As I concluded the final days of my role at my job, naturally I experienced many emotions. Some expected and some surprising, or maybe I was just avoiding them.  I was excited  I was scared I was exhilarated I was sad I was anxious Taking this step towards a new life, away from everything I know career-wise, gives me those fluttering butterflies. Those butterflies progressed from excitement to fear in my final days. With each person that sent me off with best wishes, and excitement to see where I end up, I began to feel these jolts of uncertainty. I thought, where will I end up, or what will my next step be? In making this decision early on – though it was agonizing, as I write about in “ What It Feels Like to Level Up ” – there was this inner knowing that I was going to be ok. As the decision became more and more real with each passing day those tiny little gremlins returned and my faith was being tested. Still is as I write this.  By leaving I am...

  Hey Party People, I am just about to round out the last week of my job. I made the leap to leave this role at the beginning of January, and after a lengthy transition, I am on my way to freedom in a short week’s time. This also means I’ll be receiving my last regular paycheque. For many this would cause feelings of panic and anxiety, I know this because it was the central fear of others when I voiced that I would be leaving my job. What was I going to do about money? Well first things first, I have always lived within my means. I’m not a big shopper (but I do love my shoes!), my rent is insanely affordable for my area, and the space I tend to spend the most money is on travel, which isn’t on the table right now. I’ve always felt I had pretty good money mindset, I’m saver, pay my bills on time, and don’t spend money I don’t yet have. This I’ve earned is not regular human behavior and perhaps why money is a cause of stress for so many others. Money is also often correlated wi...

Hey Party People, When you wake up each morning, who do you see looking back at you? How do you feel about that person and what words do you say to yourself? Are you loving on yourself and see someone who is strong, resilient, and worthy? Or are you a hater and focusing on your flaws and perceived shortcomings. The words we say or think about ourselves matter. Whether this is out loud or in our head what we think is powerful. DYK we think approximately 90,000 thoughts a day, 90,000! Further, of those 90,000 thoughts, approximately 90% of those thoughts are repeats from the day before. Our minds are on repeat, so what are you thinking, saying, and feeing about that person in the mirror everyday. I strive to be positive and to be the best version of myself. But right now I would not say I am my best version but I’m making progress. In complete honesty one of the first things I’ve been saying to myself when I look in the mirror is… “why can’t I freaking sleep, these bags under my ey...

Hey Party People, It’s Black History Month! If you’re like me, you probably didn’t learn shit about Black history when you were in school – through the public education system or at post-secondary (unless you intentionally enrolled in African studies). I admit I didn’t know much up until the last couple of years. I didn’t even know there was a Black History month, or why it was important to acknowledge it. Before I dive in today, I encourage you to jump back to two posts I made last year at the peak of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests after the very public murder of George Floyd. The Unveiling expressed my personal turmoil as I was confronted with the realities of racism and my beliefs that it was just a “US problem”. Do Your Own Work followed the next week and encouraged us to explore our own personal feelings (as white individuals), to understand our beliefs about systemic racism and the role we consciously or unconsciously play in upholding the inequalities of our systems...