Feeling Sick? Me Too...

Alex Koupal • January 17, 2024

A Tail of Rest, Resilience and Family Love

I'm currently day two of a killer flu. Last night I found myself grappling with a fever than demanded more than just a brave face on video calls. Despite my attempts to 'Push Through' he undeniable truth prevailed – I needed to embrace the healing power of rest. About half way through my day, I finally tapped out, let my co-worker jump in and take the reigns for the next few meetings we had set with clients. It was clear that my presence in these meetings was not necessary and probably inappropriate to be honest. No one likes to be around someone who's clearly not feeling week, it leaves others feeling uncomfortable watching someone else suffer and not being able to help.

After logging out, I decided to quarantine myself in our guest room and binge Netflix with the thermometer by my side. 101.3, 100.2 , 99.8 all mild fevers as I struggled to get comfortable. Wanting so desperately to get a nap in before my 5yr old came home at 4pm. Which I ended up passing out right around the time she got home with her father. By 4:30pm I was in a full blown 103 fever, incoherent and exhausted.

As a parent with a little at home, I know how hard it can be to take care of ourselves and our child. I'm fortunate to have a supporting partner that jumped in to do all of the things for my daughter last night, but many of us aren't so fortunate. When I am home alone with her sick, I've been able to find creative ways to enlist her help involving her in care giving routines. When she's sick, she knows the routine, I tuck her in bed with Netflix show, get her some water, crackers, thermometer, tissues and a puke bucket.

Yesterday afternoon when she came home with daddy and found me in bed passed out, she took charge. I was coherent enough to ask for some electrolytes and flu meds. I remember her brining these to me (with help from daddy), but I don't remember much more. I woke up around 9pm after she had gone to bed, to a heartwarming surprise. My 5yr old had moved the piano bench along side my bed and set up a full blown snack station in the guest room for me. She also had built me a special castle with her magnetic tiles (which I about killed myself on getting out of bed to pee at night) and an assortment of her favorite stuffed animals for me to cuddle. Her enthusiasm and the joy she derived from contributing to my well-being became a testament to the powerful bonds of familial care and how much our littles pay attention to all that we do for them.

After a harrowing night I woke up this morning without a fever... but still feeling awful. My other half had checked in on me at 4am before he went to work to make sure I didn't need help taking our daughter to school at 8am. I thought I was fine, but at 8am... I was clearly not. I tried to talk my daughter into staying home with me, but she wasn't having it. Regardless of my physical state, I 'pushed through' and got my little girl to school (a half hour late).

When I arrived home after dropping her off, I realized I need to just stop and take care of myself. So here I am,... cancelling and rescheduling all of my meetings for the entire week not just a day or two. Ensuring I'm taking the time to heal my body and set a good example for my daughter. I plan the next three days to catch up on Netflix, diligently sip on electrolytes, take gentle walks to get my lymphatic system moving. I'll also be spending sometime in my backyard with minimal clothing, for maximum skin exposure, allowing my body to soak up essential vitamin D. If you haven't experienced sunning during a fever, it's glorious.

While I'm far from recovered being only two days in battling the flu, I discovered that self-care is not just a solo endeavor; it's a collaborative effort with those closest to us. My experience serves as a reminder that, in times of vulnerability, allowing ourselves to be cared for by loved ones (including work colleagues) is a gesture of strength. So, the next time your body whispers the need for rest, listen closely – it may just be the key to a speedier recovery and a deeper appreciation for the resilience found within your own family circle.

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How to Figure Out What You Want in Life (Without the Overwhelm)

By Alex Koupal • April 16, 2025

Let’s be real—figuring out what you actually want in life can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. If you’re a busy mom juggling a million things or a twenty-something stuck in “what’s next?” mode, the pressure to have it all figured out is exhausting . But here’s the thing: You don’t need a five-year plan. You just need a starting point. 1. Stop Stressing About Having the "Right" Answer No one wakes up one day with a perfectly clear vision of their future. Life is messy, careers change, and passions evolve. Give yourself permission to explore instead of forcing yourself to commit to one path forever. Take the pressure off—it’s not that serious. 2. Follow What Feels Good What are you naturally drawn to? What do you find yourself Googling or watching a TikTok at 2 AM? Pay attention to the things that spark your interest—that’s where the magic starts. 3. Try Before You Decide You don’t have to quit your job or go back to school tomorrow. Test things out! Take a class, volunteer, start a side hustle—get a feel for what excites you before making big moves. 4. Talk to Real People I know, I know… talking to people can be awkward, but real opportunities don’t just knock on your door. Reach out to people who are doing something that interests you. Ask them how they got there. You’d be surprised how many are willing to share advice—and how much clarity you’ll gain just by listening. 5. Just Take the First Step The biggest thing holding people back? Overthinking. (Yep, shocking, I know.) Stop waiting for the perfect plan and just start —sign up for that workshop, send that email, go to that event. Clarity comes from doing , not from obsessing over every little detail. You don’t need all the answers today. Just take one small step and trust that you're figuring it out as you go. 6. Don’t Do It Alone Big decisions feel less overwhelming when you have someone in your corner. A mentor, coach, or even just a trusted friend can help you see things from a different perspective. If you’re feeling stuck, let’s talk! Book a clarity session —sometimes, all you need is a little guidance to get moving in the right direction.

Tiktok, Social Media & Teens: How to guide without just saying, "Get off your phone!"

By Alex Koupal • April 9, 2025

Let’s be real: telling teens to “get off your phone!” doesn’t work. Social media is part of their world. For our teens, social media is how they connect, learn, and express themselves. So how can we help them use it wisely without sounding and being the villain? There’s a way to help them navigate social media mindfully, and no, it doesn’t involve a complete ban. 1. Start the Conversation, Not the Battle Instead of becoming the enemy and banning social media out of the blue, talk to your teen about what they’re doing on it. Is it for learning, creativity, or just entertainment? Understanding their “why” helps guide them to use it more purposefully. 2. Set Healthy Boundaries Together Instead of enforcing rules, involve your teen in setting healthy screen-time limits. It gives them ownership and responsibility over their habits. For example, “I’ll spend 30 minutes scrolling up on TikTok after school, and then I’ll switch to doing homework” can be a much better strategy than enforcing a rigid rule that feels like punishment. When your teen has a say in the boundaries, they’re more likely to stick to them. 3. Be a Role Model What adults do, Teens do! If we’re glued to our phones, constantly checking social media, it sends the message that it’s okay to get lost in the digital world. Model healthy habits, like setting phone-free times, taking social media breaks, or just being present during family time. Show them how to use social media in a balanced way by setting phone-free times and modeling healthy habits. 4. Encourage Real-Life Activities Social media is great for staying in touch, but it can never replace real-life experiences. Encourage hobbies, sports, or family time to keep them grounded. This way, they can create a well-rounded life that isn’t centered solely around the screen. Plus, those real-world experiences will give them something to post about on their feed! 5. Be Their Guide, Not Their Warden At the end of the day, we can’t control everything teens do online. But we can provide guidance, support, and resources to help them use social media in a positive and mindful way. Keep the lines of communication open and encourage them to have trusted mentors—whether it’s a teacher, coach, older cousin, or life coach—who can provide advice beyond just Mom or Dad. If you’re worried about your teen’s social media habits, let’s talk! Book a free parent support session.