Simple Shifts Forward with Dana Mitchell

10 Ways to Protect Your Peace This Holiday Season - Holiday Emotions Series #3

If you’re craving a calmer, more grounded holiday season, this episode is your toolkit. I’m sharing ten simple, realistic, completely doable ways to protect your peace — without hiding from the season, overcommitting, or forcing yourself into joy you don’t genuinely feel.

These aren’t “self-care” clichés or elaborate rituals. They’re gentle shifts you can ...

Holiday Emotions Series #2: Hidden Holiday Expectations That Drain Us

Most of us step into the holiday season carrying a whole list of expectations we never actually chose. Traditions from childhood, family patterns, social pressure, social media highlights, and the quiet belief that we’re responsible for “making it magical” — even if we’re tired, overwhelmed, or craving something simpler this year.

In this episode, we unpack:

• Where...

Holiday Emotions Series #1: The Holiday sure can feel weird sometimes. If the holidays bring up a strange mix of emotions — pressure, anxiety, resentment, sadness, or even just a quiet “off” feeling — you are not alone.

In this gentle conversation, we explore why the season can feel heavier than we expect, especially as holiday marketing starts earlier and louder every year.

I share a personal moment that made me pause in the grocery...

Clarity Chat: When Great is Better Than Perfect. Chasing perfect may look like high standards, but it often steals time, energy, and even connection. Dana shares personal stories about her husband and daughter that taught her the value of stopping at “great.” Learn how to let go of perfection and apply the 90% rule in your own life.

You’ll learn:

• How perfectionism undermines progress and relationships
• Why “great” is often better t...

Clarity Chat: Talking Back to the Inner Critic: Your inner critic is sneaky — hiding in phrases like “I should,” “I never,” or “What’s wrong with me?” Dana shares how to name that voice, spot its buzzwords, and reframe its harshness into kinder truths.

You’ll learn:

• How to recognize critic “buzzwords” in yourself and others
• Why naming your critic takes away its power
• Simple ways to reframe negative self-talk into supportive languag...

Clarity Chat: Forgive Your Self First. We forgive others all the time, but forgiving ourselves is often hardest. Dana shares a five-minute journaling practice — plus a modern metaphor about clearing your browser history — to help you release guilt and feel lighter.

You’ll learn:

• Why self-forgiveness matters more than perfection
• How a simple writing practice can quiet the critic
• What it means to refresh your mindset instead of carry...

Clarity Chat: Stop Letting Should Weigh You Down. “Should” sounds small but over time it can weigh us down like a backpack of bricks. Dana shares how many of our “shoulds” come from family folklore, cultural expectations, or old hand-me-down rules. Learn how to drop the “shoulds” that aren’t yours and replace them with the lighter power of “could.”

You’ll learn:

• Why “should” feels heavy and restrictive
• Three questions to ask when ...

Clarity Chat: The Power of Pausing. Pausing isn’t weakness — it’s wisdom. Dana shares a story about car shopping with her family (and why a sandwich break made all the difference!) to show how slowing down creates clarity, better decisions, and stronger relationships.

You’ll learn:

• Why pausing can lead to more aligned decisions
• Simple ways to create tiny pauses in your day
• How Human Design reframed Dana's approach to decision ...

Clarity Chat: The Goo of Change. Change rarely feels exciting at first — it often feels sticky, messy, and uncomfortable. Dana calls this the “goo stage,” the in-between space where you’re no longer who you were, but not yet who you’re becoming. Through her own story as a mom shifting roles, she shows how to find breadcrumbs of joy in the messy middle.

You’ll learn:

• Why change feels like goo (sticky, stretchy, and awkward)
• How to ...

Easy Steps to Beat Procrastination. Motivation is like the weather — unpredictable. If you wait for it, you might wait forever. In this Clarity Chat, Dana shares a funny family story and explains why taking one tiny step is more powerful than waiting for the perfectmoment.

You’ll learn:

• Why motivation isn't the spark you think it is.

• The "tiny step" principle that builds real momentum.
• Everyday examples you...

Circling in Indecision? Ever get stuck circling a decision — from picking pillows to choosing a career move? Indecision isn’t laziness; it’s your brain trying to keep you safe. In this talk, Dana shares a playful ice cream counter metaphor and a powerful question that helps you cut through the noise.

You’ll learn:

• Why your brain delays decisions and how that’s actually protective

• A playful trick that reveals your gut answer in 24 ...

The Closet and the Critic Sometimes the loudest voice isn’t in your closet — it’s in your head. Dana shares how her own closet turned into a mirror of old expectations and self-criticism. Whether your “closet” is clothes, emails, or a messy inbox, you’ll learn how to quiet the critic and take one small step forward.

You’ll learn:

• Why clutter often stirs up self-judgement
• Three small option for shifting your space (and your moo...

Simple Steps to Happiness. One small step up your emotional ladder is enough. Happiness isn’t about fake smiles or chasing a perfect life. It’s about small, real shifts that feel possible today. In this short pep talk, Dana shares her “ladder” metaphor to explain how to move just one step at a time up the emotional scale — from heavy feelings toward lighter ones.

You’ll learn:

Why happiness isn't a destination but a series of g...

Essential Oils for Moms and Dads. Parenting can be challenging and essential oils can help support your nervous system when your kiddos are having tantrums or when your tension and frustration level is running high. In addition to oils, deep breathing, meditation and exercise also can support you when you feel you are losing your patience.

To learn more about essential oils or for my meditation recordings, visit www.dana-mitchell....

Using Essential Oils with Children - Using oils with your children is an amazing way to support their health in a natural way. Reducing chemicals in the household and utilize natural essential oils is an amazing way to easily and effectively reduce their toxic load. What an amazing way to support your family, isn’t it?

For information and recipes, visit www.dana-mitchell.com

Aromatic – (Diffuser) Helps manage mood

• Eliminates impu...

In the episode, I talk about several essential oils that help to support sleep and ways to use them. Sleep has been an issue for me for my entire life and I am always looking into what solutions can help me sleep deeper, longer, and stay asleep all through the night.

Sleep Oils and Combinations

• Serenity (topical and/or diffused)
• Lavender (topical and/or diffused)
• Lavender and Wild Orange combo (diffuse)
• Lavender and Vet...

Copaiba Essential Oil

Copaiba is a powerhouse oil used to supports may systems in the body including cardiovascular, immune, digestive and respiratory. In addition, it serves as a powerful antioxidant and helps to calm, soothe, and support the nervous system. Other known benefits of Copaiba are for the skin. It can be used to promote clear, smooth skin and reduces the appearance of blemishes.  

Copaiba essential oil is derived from...