Small Steps Create Big Shifts
January 10, 2026
Change takes courage, but you can do it. Consider what you want to shift in your life—and why. Where does the belief that you need to change come from?
Our past experiences often shape our thoughts and behaviours more than we realize. One way to move toward meaningful change is to pause and examine those thoughts with curiosity. This isn’t about dismissing your feelings or gaslighting yourself. It’s about taking a breath and allowing for the possibility that your first interpretation may not be the full story.
For example, you might assume the person who cut you off in traffic was being intentionally rude. But it’s just as possible they were preoccupied after a difficult meeting with their child’s teacher and weren’t fully present in the moment.
Are there thoughts that show up repeatedly and causing a strong emotional response? When do they tend to appear? What was happening just before they surfaced? And most importantly, is the thought—that you aren’t good enough, smart enough, strong, etc, enough—actually true?
This week, take a moment to slow down and notice one thing stirring within you—approach it with gentleness, curiosity, and compassion.
In strength and courage,
Michelle
About the AuthorMichelle Teskey is a registered social worker, trauma‑informed therapist, and former paramedic with more than twenty years of experience in healthcare and frontline work. She brings a grounded, compassionate approach to mental health and wellbeing, offering gentle guidance and practical tools through Root & Renew to help people reconnect with themselves and build lives that feel rooted and whole.