Rise Up Counselling’s Post

December 1st is here, and here are some questions: ❄️December 1st is here, and here are some questions: ❄️How is it already December? ❄️Are we ready for this? (Spoiler: Nope.) ❄️Does wearing fuzzy socks count as a life plan? (It should.) December vibes:
❄️Reflecting on all the things we said we would do this year but didn’t. ❄️Realizing there are only 31 days left to pretend we are organized.
❄️Googling “last-minute gift ideas” while drinking a questionable amount of coffee.
❄️Mentally preparing for “new year, new me” posts. How are YOU kicking off the final month of 2024? Bonus points if it involves snacks.

So, not only is July my birthday month and the birthday month of many of my friends, it's also National Grilling Month! Where am I going with this? No where important, just looking to disrupt your LinkedIn feed. If you have any good grilling tips, drop them below.

✨ Father's Day Gift Guide! ✨ Surprise your dad with the best food boxes this Father’s Day! 🍽️ Check out our blog for top recommendations.

It's that time of the year again. Christmas celebrations, a time for family, friends, colleagues, food and the occasional ‘Did they really just say that?’ moment. Picture this… you are at the dinner table, surrounded by roast potatoes and crackers and someone makes a comment that makes your inner voice go: ‘No, nope, no way, I surely didn't hear that right’. What do you do? Do you: 🫵 Call it out there and then? 🗣️ Wait and have a quiet word later? 🍨 Let it go and focus on dessert?  😆 Try and steer the conversation with a bit of humour? I am aware there is no perfect answer, and it depends on the moment, the person and your energy levels (or wine levels). But it is worth remembering that even a gentle nudge can make people think again. What is your approach? Let’s swap strategies and make sure the only thing getting roasted this Christmas is the food. 😉

Rules Shmules! Is that how you even spell "shmules"? That thought popped into my head this morning as I went to grab my coffee mug. We have a ton of coffee mugs, so it's always a big decision which one to use. I grabbed my Life is Good Christmas mug with Santa on it. I almost put it back. Why? Because it's not Christmas. I'm not kidding❗ Well, I threw caution to the wind & went for it - I decided to be crazy today & I'm enjoying my coffee in my Christmas mug. 🎅 It got me thinking... 💡 How many things do we do or not do because of the supposed "norm"? We've been conditioned to believe that so many things are black & white. I remember seeing a keynote speaker one time and he talked about switching things up & doing things differently - keeping things fresh & exciting. He said that sometimes his family would eat dessert first, before the main meal. Said the kids loved it! I'm sure & I certainly can't fathom us doing that when I was a kid. I was forced to eat all my peas before I could get up from the table! How many people do we see on LI or Facebook preaching "their" way as the only way? A ton! While there are some general Do's & Don'ts (aka rules) for certain things, very few things are black & white. There's more than just one way to do it - whatever works for you, whatever makes you happy. Just like Outback Steakhouse says, "No rules, just right". Outback Steakhouse first launched that marketing campaign back in 2013. It's their way of saying... "We take our food seriously, without forgetting any of the fun, knowing that nothing stands in the way of making you happy." Well, what about us? We can take things seriously & still have fun - do what works for us, do the things that make us happy - like drinking coffee out of my Life is Good Santa mug! ☕ No rules, just right! Today is a GREAT day for a GREAT day, MAKE it so, for YOU & for SOMEONE else! 😁

Anybody else have something 💩 happen at work this week?! Well happy Friday, here’s to making lemons into lemonade on this as we close out the week!! 🍋🍋 🚫🚫NO, NO, STOP 🛑 🛑 🤔 ?!Huh?! 🤔 Hear me out! Making lemons out of lemonade is just covering up the bitter sour and unpleasant experience with sugar! It’s covering up the sourness of your experience with fakeness that’s still no good for you! Instead, you need to take a bite out of the lemon and use the bitter to get better! Whatever happened this week, use it for good! Accept it.. Learn from it… Grow from it… Be better because of it! How?! Answer these 3 questions for yourself and use the answers to move forward: 1️⃣ When I think about the experience, what was in my control? Did I control what I could? 2️⃣ Was I true to my values and convictions during this? 3️⃣ What am I proud of in his week? Here’s to getting better and not bitter!

Many of us will be around close friends and family with delicious food tomorrow. This can be an incredible day or one that stings depending on the energy and conversation. A reminder for all of us, especially the well meaning family and friends that have little-no filter that it’s unnecessary to ask invasive or uncomfortable questions. Prime examples: certain job/career status questions, probing relationship and child status questions, commentary or unsolicited opinions/judgments about someone else’s choices, appearance, or related. It’s not your life and don’t ever kick someone when they’re down. Support, help, encourage or perhaps keep quiet. There’s so much to talk about so why focus on the more sensitive or private topics? People will talk about those topics if they want so let them bring it up. It’s not that we need to be surface or can’t say anything but the point is think before we speak and consider the framing, delivery, and intention behind what’s being said. A “little comment” can really stick with someone. If you care about the person, demonstrate it in words and actions. With that little PSA, wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!

7 random things I've been thinking about this week, if you're into that sorta thing (241 words): 1.) This text might’ve made my year. It was sent to me like 4 weeks ago, but I was already committed to my thoughts that week. And then I took a couple weeks off from pretty much anything that required thinking and so now I’m back and sharing it today. 2.) I have no problem picking up my own dog’s poop, but for whatever reason picking up someone else’s is just a dreadful, disgusting experience. 3.) What’s the best brand x product going right now? You know, a great brand that actually has a great product too? YETI is the first that comes to my mind. 4.) Can’t believe I’ve slept on Greek yogurt for almost 31 years. Stuff is powerful. 5.) I love when summer and fall play tug of war. Even though we know who wins, there are a few weeks where it feels like it could go either way and that’s arguably the best time of the year. 6.) How long have you been able to like a post on LinkedIn mobile by double tapping on the image? Is this new or am I old? 7.) The New York Mets are so on brand right now. Setting a few of us up for massive heartbreak and the rest of you for laughter. That's it for this week. Love it? Hate it? Thinking about how it’s almost Halloween movie season? Same, same. Turn off the AC this weekend, friends.

From spooky fall fun to sparkly year-end celebrations, October, November, and December are the trifecta of brand awareness magic!  🍂🥂 🎉 Let's dive into why these months are perfect for leaving lasting impressions: 🎃 Holiday Frenzy: Halloween kicks things off, followed by Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas cheer, and New Year's Eve glitz. It's a whirlwind of parties, gatherings, and impulse buys! 🎄 Festive Flavors: Brands roll out limited-edition goodies that scream holiday spirit. Tastings? Yes, please! Perfect for showing off these unique treats. 💸 Shopping Sprees: Holiday bonuses and gift-giving galore! People's wallets are open, and they're ready to splurge on new finds after a great tasting. 🍷 Perfect Presents: Alcohol as gifts? Totally! Tastings can nudge folks towards grabbing a bottle or two for that perfect holiday present. So, raise a glass to an unforgettable season of brand buzz! 🥂✨

**Thinking of a Unique Thanksgiving Gift? Try This!** Thanksgiving gifts often revolve around gadgets—but why not think outside the box this year? Instead of another device, how about empowering your Mom and Dad with a Pictory subscription?  With Pictory, they can create valuable video content effortlessly—no technical skills required. Let AI handle the heavy lifting while they share their stories, wisdom, or even favorite recipes with the world. It's a creative, engaging way to keep them connected, inspired, and entertained!  **Special Thanksgiving Discounts** are live, so it's the perfect time to give your parents a gift that’s fun, meaningful, and productive. Who knows, they might even go viral with their newfound hobby!  This Thanksgiving, give the gift of creativity and connection.