How much do you know about 2023 elections?

The League of Women Voters of Je erson County is here to inform voters with its recently updated Citizen’s Guide, slated to appear online by mid-April at https:// lwvje co.org in a downloadable format.

e comprehensive Citizen’s Guide includes contact information for local, state and national elected o cials, as well as county, district and state court judges. Voting information includes details about voter registrationand

GUEST COLUMN Manthey

Special District elections. An election calendar alerts voters to quali cations and schedules.

For example, April 25 is the last day citizens can request an absentee ballot in order to vote in the May 2 Special District elections. ese could be by mail, absentee ballotor in person. Voters should check with the individual districts in which they pay taxes for more detailed information, or go to https://bit.ly/3YWKLJx ly/3Lg9YYX.

As the governing engines of towns, municipalities and unincorporated areas, Special Districts provide vital localservices: Water and sanitation, re and parks and recreation, among others. To view the districts included in your property tax bill, visit https://bit.

Detailed information about future municipal and school board elections in November can be found later this year at VOTE411.org. For more information about the League of Women Voters of Je erson County, visit LWVJeffco.org.

Christina Manthey is the president of the League of Women Voters Je erson County.

Novelty: Moving into your creative zone

Last month I talked about Ambiguity, the fourth in my Five-Part series on our relationship with time, how we respond to it in the forms it takes in our lives.

is month, let’s look at the nal aspect in this series: what happens when you move successfully from Ambiguity into Novelty.

If Ambiguity is about having no focus or passion with too many options to choose from, Novelty is the state you reach when you choose what you want to focus on, and your passions get ignited to get them going. All of them. At once.

For example, you just came out of the post-holiday season, weathered the dark of winter, and are seeing the beginnings of spring – you’re pulled into the daytime sunshine and able to feel how warm it can be. It’s a novel feeling to have after the cold and short days.

When novelty thaws us, we are able to focus on our passions again. You want to put your winter sweaters away, get the garden prepped for planting, start researching summer

UNLEARN IT vacation spots. You’re touring schools with your college-bound senior, taking on the long-put-o bathroom renovation, cleaning out the garage, starting an exercise program, reducing sugar from the family diet, planning the visit from your relatives, nishing up a huge project at work, hiring new sta …you get the picture.

Instead of your list looking daunting or insurmountable, you’re energized to get them ALL done NOW. You feel productive, gain a tremendous sense of accomplishment, and pride as you complete your projects. You power through any exhaustion and that nagging frazzled-feeling because the powerful sense of showing up in the world can be intoxicating.

Are you there? If you’re not sure, listen to how you describe your days—do you say things like, “I’m crazy-busy” or “my life is insane?”

Look for signs that you may be becoming overwhelmed or anxious. Panic-attacks, storm-eating, sleeplessness, over-indulging alcohol or recreational drugs and watching TV or being on social media for many hours a day are just a few of the signals you may be too occupied to keep up the pace you’ve set for yourself.

What’s happening is a shift into over-drive where you are captive to the high energy and excitement of all the projects you have going on. And, while your creative surges are lling your tank in some aspects, they are also keeping you from self-calming, and unwinding which leads to anxiety and overwhelm.

Here are a few tools I use with my clients to help them self-regulate and move from Novelty into Stillness—(the point where we began this series).

Recognize one overwhelm pattern: One example is scrolling on Facebook for hours a day. Set an alarm and put your device down when it sounds. Stand up, move away from your device and shake your body – dance around – sing – walk outside for ve minutes to break up the energy.

Practice relaxation techniques that are repetitive: If you don’t have one, one of my favorites is box breathing: breathe in for four counts, hold for four counts, breathe out for four counts and hold for four counts again. Repeat at least three times.

Welcome your empty mind: When a thought keeps cycling without a resolution, stop and thank it, then let it know you will give it attention – record a day and time. Notice how your mind clears.

Christine Kahane, NBC-HWC, MCHWC – is a Nationally BoardCerti ed Health & Wellness Coach, and owner of KAHANE COACHING (www.kahanecoaching.com), located at 30792 Southview Drive/Suite 206 in Evergreen, CO. For more information about coaching, or to write-in a question for UNlearn it! send your inquiries to christine@kahanecoaching.com.