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How to Find Ease in Decision Making

How to Find Ease in Decision Making

  • Post author:Courtney Harris Coaching
  • Post published:October 13, 2020
  • Post category:Quick Connection Tips / Restorative Practices for Families
  • Post comments:0 Comments

This tool offers a structure for sifting through the information, options, ideas, options, etc. It helps put all everything out on the table, so to speak.

Continue Reading How to Find Ease in Decision Making
20 Ways to Be An Advocate for Social Change and Transformation
Group of teenager friends on a basketball court

20 Ways to Be An Advocate for Social Change and Transformation

  • Post author:Courtney Harris Coaching
  • Post published:October 6, 2020
  • Post category:Real Talk for Teens / Talking with Teenagers
  • Post comments:0 Comments

We all have a range of tools and gifts that we can use to stand up for our values and beliefs each and every day.

Continue Reading 20 Ways to Be An Advocate for Social Change and Transformation
How to Use Reading as Self-Care

How to Use Reading as Self-Care

  • Post author:Courtney Harris Coaching
  • Post published:September 15, 2020
  • Post category:Guest Blogs / Self-Care for Parents
  • Post comments:2 Comments

Reading our books not only offered entertainment and education, but they also offered insight to our own circumstances, helped us to grow personally, and to connect with the books’ characters.

Continue Reading How to Use Reading as Self-Care
Why You Need to Prioritize Breaks as an Online Learner

Why You Need to Prioritize Breaks as an Online Learner

  • Post author:Courtney Harris Coaching
  • Post published:September 8, 2020
  • Post category:Real Talk for Teens
  • Post comments:0 Comments

Breaks can increase your productivity, support your mental well-being, and help you integrate new learning.

Continue Reading Why You Need to Prioritize Breaks as an Online Learner
30 Ways to Have Socially Distanced Fun This Summer
Lifestyle Hipster Leisure Male Concept

30 Ways to Have Socially Distanced Fun This Summer

  • Post author:Courtney Harris Coaching
  • Post published:July 28, 2020
  • Post category:Real Talk for Teens
  • Post comments:0 Comments

This summer has not offered the rest or space or extra income that previous summers have. The intersection of pandemic and the racial justice uprisings is a pretty intense space, and you are holding a lot.

Continue Reading 30 Ways to Have Socially Distanced Fun This Summer
The Importance of Your Vote This Year and EVERY Year

The Importance of Your Vote This Year and EVERY Year

  • Post author:Courtney Harris Coaching
  • Post published:July 14, 2020
  • Post category:Guest Blogs / Restorative Practices for Families
  • Post comments:0 Comments

Tania Gerard writes from Arizona. She is a Queer, Latinx, Community Organizer, and Congruency Coach who parents two wonderful kids. Please, Vote. Voting is your responsibility as a parent, as…

Continue Reading The Importance of Your Vote This Year and EVERY Year
Beyond College: 3 Valuable Options for Life After High School

Beyond College: 3 Valuable Options for Life After High School

  • Post author:Courtney Harris Coaching
  • Post published:July 7, 2020
  • Post category:Guest Blogs / Real Talk for Teens
  • Post comments:0 Comments

The thing is, there are other options. Whether you’re a student who really doesn’t want college at all or wants to take some time to decide, there are options for you to consider.

Continue Reading Beyond College: 3 Valuable Options for Life After High School
How to Destigmatize Conversation about Mental Health

How to Destigmatize Conversation about Mental Health

  • Post author:Courtney Harris Coaching
  • Post published:June 30, 2020
  • Post category:Talking with Teenagers
  • Post comments:4 Comments

I hear from so many teens that they not sure how to ask for help, uncertain how their parents or loved ones will respond, and that big or heavy feelings aren't welcome in many spaces they occupy.

Continue Reading How to Destigmatize Conversation about Mental Health
How to Engage in Anti-Racism Work: 70+ Resources for Teens

How to Engage in Anti-Racism Work: 70+ Resources for Teens

  • Post author:Courtney Harris Coaching
  • Post published:June 16, 2020
  • Post category:Real Talk for Teens
  • Post comments:0 Comments

This is a guide for people who want to explore various ways of studying, practicing, and showing up for anti-racism work. While these resources are geared towards teens and young adults,…

Continue Reading How to Engage in Anti-Racism Work: 70+ Resources for Teens
What Do Communication and Consent Have to Do with a Pandemic?

What Do Communication and Consent Have to Do with a Pandemic?

  • Post author:Courtney Harris Coaching
  • Post published:June 2, 2020
  • Post category:Real Talk for Teens / Self-Care for Parents
  • Post comments:0 Comments

As we engage in any kind of interpersonal relationships, it’s important that we center the goal of establishing individual and collective health and safety.

Continue Reading What Do Communication and Consent Have to Do with a Pandemic?
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courtneyharriscoaching

Life Coach for Teens & Parents
♡ she/her
♡ M.Ed
♡ 1:1 coach for young people
♡ parenting support
♡ Companion for Birth & Beyond @companioncourtney

Courtney Harris Coaching
Hello friends, Today I am going to honor my need Hello friends, Today I am going to honor my need to do less. And that's the whole message. Anyone else want to join me in doing even just one thing less today?! Let's slow down together, <3 Courtney
"For parents, especially, it can feel incredibly a "For parents, especially, it can feel incredibly alienating when your children suddenly begin to identify with terms that seem like they come from a language you’ve never heard. Many of the parents I work with find themselves in a position of being asked to adopt language and theoretical frameworks without the time or space to truly understand them. Young people today are being exposed to the concept of social construction (of race, of gender, of sexuality) so much more than ever before, and the adults in their lives need a minute to catch up. This article is my attempt to sum up the framework that so many of the young people with whom I work are operating within when it comes to gender identity." This important guest blog by Maura Kinney is all about gender pronouns and how to use them. Link in bio to read!
Self-love is not a destination. It’s a relations Self-love is not a destination. It’s a relationship. And like all relationships, it requires time, attention, care, and practice. ❤️❤️❤️
There are times when we have choices, but we feel There are times when we have choices, but we feel like we have to stick with it, deal with it, stay committed, take it, or whatever. Like we are doing the “moral,” “right,” strong, admirable, or brave thing by sticking with it. It being whatever challenge or struggle you might be sitting in at the moment. These beliefs sometimes cause us to override our needs. They push us to struggle through something we don’t want to do, something that doesn’t serve us, something that doesn’t feel good. Thus, I invite you to think about the challenge you are facing. If this is something you are struggling through, I invite you to consider what you need. Do you need support? Relief? Variety? Peace? And so on. Then, consider your options and choices. Is there another way you could do this? Another option you could explore? If this is something you want to work with, it can be helpful to frame it as a choice— a choice to keep going. Is there a purpose or motivation you are in touch with? How can this purpose or motivation be an anchor for you along the way? If you’re a teen or young adult that would like to sort through a challenge you are facing, I’m here. I’ve got a handful of 1:1 slots open this fall. Note: Sometimes we truly don’t have control over our circumstances or situations. This is real and valid. This particular post is not really for or about those times.
Since life with COVID-19, I have noticed a differe Since life with COVID-19, I have noticed a different variety of decision fatigue. Because essentially no decisions are risk-free, there’s a constant negotiating surrounding which risks feel contained or safe or responsible enough. These decisions feel very circular and exhausting, like a hamster in a wheel. And because we don’t know when some of the things we used to do will be safe again, there’s a certain kind of heaviness to my processing. This current season on decision fatigue has also meant that my capacity to make simple, everyday decisions has decreased. For example, I can’t decide what I want to eat, which makes shopping, cooking, and/or eating out a whole thing. Arranging my schedule or trying to make plans feels difficult. I want to think about longer-term plans, but also feel like I can’t. And so on. Does any of this sound or feel familiar? Because nearly all decisions feel tough right now, I’ve been using the BRAND decision-making tool more often. This tool (a simple acronym) can be helpful in a wide range of decisions. Thus, I’m sharing it with you all on the blog this week. Link in bio!
It’s really hard right now for lots of people fo It’s really hard right now for lots of people for lots of reasons. Some clients and I have been talking about independence and support... about how we need both. As a college students, they are ready to do the whole living on their own thing, navigating daily life outside of the family system, etc. And it’s a pandemic. College is weird right now. There are a lot more closed doors than open doors. Things are feeling lonely and difficult. So, it’s not one or the other, right?! We need space to be independent, and we need support. No matter what stage of life we are in, I believe this will be true. Capitalism and the “American Dream” have pushed us to be fiercely independent, to think we should be able to get through anything on our own, but the truth is this is not sustainable for the individual or the collective. Because we need each other. We need systems or support and care. As a White, cis, middle class, able-bodied woman, I am late to this understanding. So many folks and communities who are disabled and QTBIPOC* have been developing and living in collective care and mutual aid models models. (If you want a book rec on this topic, DM me!) *queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, and people of color. This reflection is an invitation for all of us to consider how we view independence and support. Where did your beliefs and values about these concepts come from? Do you lean more heavily to one side or the other? Why is that? How do these two forces show up in your life? Feel free to share reactions and reflections in the comments. I love being human with you all. ❤️❤️❤️
Hello friends, During the pandemic, I've faced so Hello friends, During the pandemic, I've faced so many different waves of fear and grief. Things have overall had a heavy, anxious quality. When I look back at the photos I have taken in 2020, there aren't many. And the ones that do exist aren't of people or fun, exciting, connecting moments; instead, there are flowers, baked goods, and lots of call-to-action screenshots that I use for contacting my officials. Banana bread is great and all, and I am happy to talk to my City Council Member's office, but I'm missing hugs and IRL laughter and adventure. When I think back to January and February 2020, I'm astounded that those memories were just earlier THIS year. Anyone else?! Like, where has 2020 faded away to? How can the days feel so long, but the weeks and months so short?! I'm realizing (not a new realization, but a remembrance), that I need to focus more on the hope and joy in my daily life. The lizard I see sunning on the rocks in my yard, the birth I attended last week, the families I pass on neighborhood walks, the FaceTime calls with my youngest nephew, the driving with my windows down... these moments matter. These moments sustain me. What's giving you hope and joy in this season of life? Let's keep laughing and crying together, <3 Courtney
Can we embrace the gift of being messy? Imperfect? Can we embrace the gift of being messy? Imperfect? Human? I know this series of words might feel like a contradiction. Messy, a gift?! (Yeah, I struggle with perfectionism and want to avoid discomfort, too.) A client and I have been exploring this idea... staying curious about how our messiness is necessary, fun, curious, exciting, inspiring, and so on. What comes to mind when you read this sentence? We would love to hear your thoughts! Share in the comments if you feel called.
What comes to mind when you hear the term advocate What comes to mind when you hear the term advocate? Who or what are you picturing? In conversations with friends, family members, and clients, I’ve noticed that many folks think that the term advocate only applies to people who are doing justice work full-time or in a professional capacity. They associate the terms advocate and activist with people who are leading protests or lobbying at the state Capitol building every day. However, I’d like to remind you that every decision you make holds political weight. In other words, everything is political. Therefore, advocacy is a practice that all of us can engage in. We all have a range of tools and gifts that we can use to stand up for our values and beliefs each and every day. Additionally, tons of advocacy and #activism work can be done without formal degrees or training, and can be accessible thanks to the internet. In developing a broad and inclusive exploration of advocacy and activism, one that invites each one of us to participate and collaborate, I have come up with a list of 20 ways to practice everyday #advocacy with your family. Read more on the blog— link in bio, as always.
Hello friends, Mid-September til Mid-November (or Hello friends, Mid-September til Mid-November (or so) tends to be my "homesick season." I miss the dry, cool New Mexico air-- perfect sweater weather, the sky dappled (or filled) with hot air balloons, the bold, but also pastel! sunsets, the smell of green chile roasting, and on and on. This year I/we won't get to see the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta through social media because it's canceled, and traveling to see my family is a bit more complicated and unlikely, with my preference to avoid air travel. All of this to say, I keep realizing, over and over, that grief is a normal part of the human experience, and COVID has brought new and different elements of loss and grief into all of our lives. Some big, and others smaller, but all valid. Clients, too, are recognizing the losses they are facing. They are struggling to make new friends in their first year of college, missing friends as they stick with virtual school for family safety, upset about canceled extracurriculars, anxious about the uncertainty surrounding upcoming holidays, worried about family members they haven't been able to see, and so on. This is a time that calls for softness, for more support, more rest, more community care, and lots of understanding. It can be a powerful practice to name and sit with the grief, while also practicing gratitude. DM me for a link to my blog about grief during COVID. On this journey with you, <3 Courtney
A little beauty for your Monday evening. A little beauty for your Monday evening.
Hello friends, I have gotten VERY into plant-pare Hello friends, I have gotten VERY into plant-parenthood this year, and every day I learn some sort of lesson or receive a gentle reminder from this new passion. Multiple times during the workday, I pause and look to my right, to the window sill full of plants, so as I sat down to write, I realized that I'd like to share some of my plant-inspired reflections with you. Most of these plant lessons are really just life lessons and/or metaphors for the human condition. 10 things I've learned from my plants: 1. Pause. Slow down. There's always time for beauty and gratitude. 2. Every plant needs something different-- different amounts of sun and water, for example. 3. Growth takes time and patience. And it's so fun and special to witness! 4. The cycle of life includes death. Some plants won't make it, and that's okay. 5. Tending to plants is a gentle, compassionate type of purpose/productivity that is helping me undo the spell of capitalism. 6. Every plant grows at its own pace. 7. If the conditions aren't working for the plant, it's time to try something new. 8. Plants are adaptable and resilient. 9. There will always be mystery and surprise when tending to plants. 10. I will make miss-takes, and that's okay. This means I get to learn to let go and then try again with a new solution or a new plant. What's resonating with you? What lessons have you learned from plants? What message do you want to take away from this email? Wishing you a week full of growth, <3 Courtney
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Recent Blog Posts

  • What You Need to Know about Gender Pronouns
  • How to Find Ease in Decision Making
  • 20 Ways to Be An Advocate for Social Change and Transformation
  • 15 Ways to Care for Your Sensitivity
  • There’s No “Right” Way to Honor Your Birthday

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courtneyharriscoaching

Life Coach for Teens & Parents
♡ she/her
♡ M.Ed
♡ 1:1 coach for young people
♡ parenting support
♡ Companion for Birth & Beyond @companioncourtney

Courtney Harris Coaching
Hello friends, Today I am going to honor my need Hello friends, Today I am going to honor my need to do less. And that's the whole message. Anyone else want to join me in doing even just one thing less today?! Let's slow down together, <3 Courtney
"For parents, especially, it can feel incredibly a "For parents, especially, it can feel incredibly alienating when your children suddenly begin to identify with terms that seem like they come from a language you’ve never heard. Many of the parents I work with find themselves in a position of being asked to adopt language and theoretical frameworks without the time or space to truly understand them. Young people today are being exposed to the concept of social construction (of race, of gender, of sexuality) so much more than ever before, and the adults in their lives need a minute to catch up. This article is my attempt to sum up the framework that so many of the young people with whom I work are operating within when it comes to gender identity." This important guest blog by Maura Kinney is all about gender pronouns and how to use them. Link in bio to read!
Self-love is not a destination. It’s a relations Self-love is not a destination. It’s a relationship. And like all relationships, it requires time, attention, care, and practice. ❤️❤️❤️
There are times when we have choices, but we feel There are times when we have choices, but we feel like we have to stick with it, deal with it, stay committed, take it, or whatever. Like we are doing the “moral,” “right,” strong, admirable, or brave thing by sticking with it. It being whatever challenge or struggle you might be sitting in at the moment. These beliefs sometimes cause us to override our needs. They push us to struggle through something we don’t want to do, something that doesn’t serve us, something that doesn’t feel good. Thus, I invite you to think about the challenge you are facing. If this is something you are struggling through, I invite you to consider what you need. Do you need support? Relief? Variety? Peace? And so on. Then, consider your options and choices. Is there another way you could do this? Another option you could explore? If this is something you want to work with, it can be helpful to frame it as a choice— a choice to keep going. Is there a purpose or motivation you are in touch with? How can this purpose or motivation be an anchor for you along the way? If you’re a teen or young adult that would like to sort through a challenge you are facing, I’m here. I’ve got a handful of 1:1 slots open this fall. Note: Sometimes we truly don’t have control over our circumstances or situations. This is real and valid. This particular post is not really for or about those times.
Since life with COVID-19, I have noticed a differe Since life with COVID-19, I have noticed a different variety of decision fatigue. Because essentially no decisions are risk-free, there’s a constant negotiating surrounding which risks feel contained or safe or responsible enough. These decisions feel very circular and exhausting, like a hamster in a wheel. And because we don’t know when some of the things we used to do will be safe again, there’s a certain kind of heaviness to my processing. This current season on decision fatigue has also meant that my capacity to make simple, everyday decisions has decreased. For example, I can’t decide what I want to eat, which makes shopping, cooking, and/or eating out a whole thing. Arranging my schedule or trying to make plans feels difficult. I want to think about longer-term plans, but also feel like I can’t. And so on. Does any of this sound or feel familiar? Because nearly all decisions feel tough right now, I’ve been using the BRAND decision-making tool more often. This tool (a simple acronym) can be helpful in a wide range of decisions. Thus, I’m sharing it with you all on the blog this week. Link in bio!
It’s really hard right now for lots of people fo It’s really hard right now for lots of people for lots of reasons. Some clients and I have been talking about independence and support... about how we need both. As a college students, they are ready to do the whole living on their own thing, navigating daily life outside of the family system, etc. And it’s a pandemic. College is weird right now. There are a lot more closed doors than open doors. Things are feeling lonely and difficult. So, it’s not one or the other, right?! We need space to be independent, and we need support. No matter what stage of life we are in, I believe this will be true. Capitalism and the “American Dream” have pushed us to be fiercely independent, to think we should be able to get through anything on our own, but the truth is this is not sustainable for the individual or the collective. Because we need each other. We need systems or support and care. As a White, cis, middle class, able-bodied woman, I am late to this understanding. So many folks and communities who are disabled and QTBIPOC* have been developing and living in collective care and mutual aid models models. (If you want a book rec on this topic, DM me!) *queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, and people of color. This reflection is an invitation for all of us to consider how we view independence and support. Where did your beliefs and values about these concepts come from? Do you lean more heavily to one side or the other? Why is that? How do these two forces show up in your life? Feel free to share reactions and reflections in the comments. I love being human with you all. ❤️❤️❤️
Hello friends, During the pandemic, I've faced so Hello friends, During the pandemic, I've faced so many different waves of fear and grief. Things have overall had a heavy, anxious quality. When I look back at the photos I have taken in 2020, there aren't many. And the ones that do exist aren't of people or fun, exciting, connecting moments; instead, there are flowers, baked goods, and lots of call-to-action screenshots that I use for contacting my officials. Banana bread is great and all, and I am happy to talk to my City Council Member's office, but I'm missing hugs and IRL laughter and adventure. When I think back to January and February 2020, I'm astounded that those memories were just earlier THIS year. Anyone else?! Like, where has 2020 faded away to? How can the days feel so long, but the weeks and months so short?! I'm realizing (not a new realization, but a remembrance), that I need to focus more on the hope and joy in my daily life. The lizard I see sunning on the rocks in my yard, the birth I attended last week, the families I pass on neighborhood walks, the FaceTime calls with my youngest nephew, the driving with my windows down... these moments matter. These moments sustain me. What's giving you hope and joy in this season of life? Let's keep laughing and crying together, <3 Courtney
Can we embrace the gift of being messy? Imperfect? Can we embrace the gift of being messy? Imperfect? Human? I know this series of words might feel like a contradiction. Messy, a gift?! (Yeah, I struggle with perfectionism and want to avoid discomfort, too.) A client and I have been exploring this idea... staying curious about how our messiness is necessary, fun, curious, exciting, inspiring, and so on. What comes to mind when you read this sentence? We would love to hear your thoughts! Share in the comments if you feel called.
What comes to mind when you hear the term advocate What comes to mind when you hear the term advocate? Who or what are you picturing? In conversations with friends, family members, and clients, I’ve noticed that many folks think that the term advocate only applies to people who are doing justice work full-time or in a professional capacity. They associate the terms advocate and activist with people who are leading protests or lobbying at the state Capitol building every day. However, I’d like to remind you that every decision you make holds political weight. In other words, everything is political. Therefore, advocacy is a practice that all of us can engage in. We all have a range of tools and gifts that we can use to stand up for our values and beliefs each and every day. Additionally, tons of advocacy and #activism work can be done without formal degrees or training, and can be accessible thanks to the internet. In developing a broad and inclusive exploration of advocacy and activism, one that invites each one of us to participate and collaborate, I have come up with a list of 20 ways to practice everyday #advocacy with your family. Read more on the blog— link in bio, as always.
Hello friends, Mid-September til Mid-November (or Hello friends, Mid-September til Mid-November (or so) tends to be my "homesick season." I miss the dry, cool New Mexico air-- perfect sweater weather, the sky dappled (or filled) with hot air balloons, the bold, but also pastel! sunsets, the smell of green chile roasting, and on and on. This year I/we won't get to see the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta through social media because it's canceled, and traveling to see my family is a bit more complicated and unlikely, with my preference to avoid air travel. All of this to say, I keep realizing, over and over, that grief is a normal part of the human experience, and COVID has brought new and different elements of loss and grief into all of our lives. Some big, and others smaller, but all valid. Clients, too, are recognizing the losses they are facing. They are struggling to make new friends in their first year of college, missing friends as they stick with virtual school for family safety, upset about canceled extracurriculars, anxious about the uncertainty surrounding upcoming holidays, worried about family members they haven't been able to see, and so on. This is a time that calls for softness, for more support, more rest, more community care, and lots of understanding. It can be a powerful practice to name and sit with the grief, while also practicing gratitude. DM me for a link to my blog about grief during COVID. On this journey with you, <3 Courtney
A little beauty for your Monday evening. A little beauty for your Monday evening.
Hello friends, I have gotten VERY into plant-pare Hello friends, I have gotten VERY into plant-parenthood this year, and every day I learn some sort of lesson or receive a gentle reminder from this new passion. Multiple times during the workday, I pause and look to my right, to the window sill full of plants, so as I sat down to write, I realized that I'd like to share some of my plant-inspired reflections with you. Most of these plant lessons are really just life lessons and/or metaphors for the human condition. 10 things I've learned from my plants: 1. Pause. Slow down. There's always time for beauty and gratitude. 2. Every plant needs something different-- different amounts of sun and water, for example. 3. Growth takes time and patience. And it's so fun and special to witness! 4. The cycle of life includes death. Some plants won't make it, and that's okay. 5. Tending to plants is a gentle, compassionate type of purpose/productivity that is helping me undo the spell of capitalism. 6. Every plant grows at its own pace. 7. If the conditions aren't working for the plant, it's time to try something new. 8. Plants are adaptable and resilient. 9. There will always be mystery and surprise when tending to plants. 10. I will make miss-takes, and that's okay. This means I get to learn to let go and then try again with a new solution or a new plant. What's resonating with you? What lessons have you learned from plants? What message do you want to take away from this email? Wishing you a week full of growth, <3 Courtney
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