Feeling Safe Enough to Improvise

By |2020-02-27T16:58:22-06:00February 28th, 2020|Categories: Anxiety and Depression, Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Parenting, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , |

"Leon Fleisher, regarded as one of the great classical pianists of the twentieth century, told the coauthor of his 2010 memoir that his 'greatest wish' was to be able to improvise. But despite a lifetime of masterful interpretation of notes on the page, he said, 'I can't improvise at all.' " — David Epstein, Range: Why [...]

Action Is Growth for the Introspective

By |2020-02-20T17:04:35-06:00February 21st, 2020|Categories: Anxiety and Depression, Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Parenting, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

If there is no wind, row. Latin proverb I found this proverb on my meditation app, Insight Timer. Since my children all row crew, it seemed especially apropos. I also believe it aligns with my favorite saying, "Action dissolves fear". The last few years, I have pushed myself to be an action-taker. Hard to reflect when [...]

Space2live Then and Now: Nine Year Anniversary for the Blog

By |2020-02-13T17:34:47-06:00February 14th, 2020|Categories: Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Parenting, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Space2live original imagePhoto by Rona Keller This Sunday, February 16th commemorates the ninth year of space2live. As I reflect on where I was in 2011 and where I am now, I see a lot of similarities. Much like in 2011, I am squeezing the writing of this post into a tiny time slot that [...]

Living 2020 Less Priggish, More Amused and Aware

By |2020-02-05T17:35:16-06:00February 7th, 2020|Categories: Anxiety and Depression, Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Parenting, Personal Coaching, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , , |

It is a new decade. I appreciate the feeling of starting anew. Last year held a lot of changes for me and my family. I married Mark and his two sons moved in with me and my children. I officially went back to my maiden name (Knowles). We endured health scares, major home repairs and the [...]

No Space, No Time to Do a Good Job

By |2020-02-05T15:49:45-06:00January 31st, 2020|Categories: Anxiety and Depression, Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Personal Coaching, Personal Evolution|Tags: , , , , , |

Working six or eight hour days is not the problem. The structure of the schedule is. Multitasking does not work. Multitasking the care of people is especially problematic. The students I work with are a vulnerable population. They have ADHD, high anxiety, physical impairments, autism, Down Syndrome and other mental challenges. Cutting in and out of their care, does not help them or anyone, progress.

If I Just Work Hard Enough Things Won’t Fall Apart: The Difference Between Productivity and Action Taking

By |2020-01-24T15:36:18-06:00January 24th, 2020|Categories: Anxiety and Depression, Emotions and Energy, Introverts and Highly Sensitive People, Parenting, Personal Evolution, Relationships|Tags: , , , , , , |

"So, a lot of the need to be productive is the terror of things falling apart." — Judd Apatow, Sick in the Head Being productive falls in the same category as being perfect. We often have a sense that if we are productive and/or perfect, we are safe. Safe from poverty, abandonment, failure, disgrace, etc. It [...]

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Testimonials

Because of your blog, I know that it is possible for me to have the love that I want one day and that I don’t have to be alone.  — Indepthwoman  on space2live
Indepthwoman
Your site has saved my sanity and my life. Maybe even my marriage. I work part time and have two young boys at home, my husband is supportive of me but until recently I thought I was going crazy. … Reading your writing not only inspires me to pick up the pen again, but gives me nourishment in the deepest places. I will fight for balance. Everything you write is spot on… And wellness is so incredibly multifaceted.  I was ready to give up hope, but understanding myself through your words is bring… Read more
J.K.
BRENDA: thank you SO much! Your advice is exactly what I need to do. I am amazed how much you “get” me after only exchanging a few messages!… Again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’ve helped me more than a year of therapy sessions! – Megan on space2live
Megan
Your words are my lifeline.  I sit down to your posts and as I read I can feel my acceptance of myself and my needs grow.  Your words validate my feelings about my life, motherhood, relationships and it is something I hold onto.  And during the times when I feel like I am not able to be a mother or a wife or a sister or a friend or whatever someone needs me to be, I go back to your words and find some peace…I send your posts to my husband when I need him to understand that I love him but I need … Read more
D.R.
I have been dating an introverted man who I am very in love with for almost 2 years.  Reading your posts have helped me to be more supportive and understanding to him especially during the times when he needs space.  I just wanted to thank you for your weekly posts and let you know how helpful they are for someone who is in a relationship with an introvert. C.M. on space2live
C.M.
For the first time in my life I could truly explain, through your words the way in which I experience life and myself. Brenda… It all fell into place. I had found myself and had such a moment of clarity. It felt like such a big weight was lifted off of my shoulders. Finally I felt like it was ok to be me. I was not the only one. I had found people and a little space where I fit in. … I was at work and crying on the inside. Emotions ran wild inside me. I was ecstatic, sad, confused, motivated, i… Read more
Niko
Thank you for all the words. You’ve created the magic drug I’ve been looking for all my life. Your blog has transformed my life, and I feel like I am on the brink of a most satisfying fulfilling journey…You’ve made me see everything in a new light. I now feel calmer, able to care better for my toddler, less hateful of people around, and hopeful for my future. I am not so afraid for our marriage anymore. — Shilpa CB
Shilpa CB
I think I want to print out your articles and hand them out as a sort of relationship waiver form. “You want to be my friend?….You are interesting in going out? Here read this first. Sign here to acknowledge that you have read and understand the enclosed material. Thank you.” Seriously. I think it would work. — Guerin Moorman
Guerin Moorman
During one of the harder times in my life I found Brenda’s website
and reached out to her. To say the least it has been one of the best
decisions I have made. Being an extrovert I never quite understood
what it meant to romantically involved with an introvert. Brenda does
an incredible job listening, giving in the moment feedback, and helped
me understand the how an introvert functions. She helped explain to me
that I am introspective extrovert, and this gave something to identify
with and allowed me t… Read more
Evan H.
THANK YOU….. you just summed up my swirling thoughts into something i can read with out everything else in my head meshing with it. I finally feel like i can explain what happens within without getting distracted. I’m an Introvert with ADD and it makes it so hard to explain quite what im feeling sometimes. — M.G. on space2live
M.G.

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