What a weekend! For weeks, you’ve heard me talk about Global Hugs Weekend and how much I love it. I’ve invited you—some might say I’ve begged you—to join in. I created this annual event to help people feel like they matter in their communities, and it continues to be one of my favorite weekends of the year. Some participants hosted public events, others chose private gatherings with one beautiful goal: to uplift their communities and the world with love. A special highlight this year was when my dear friend Jim hosted a hug party at his home in Michigan, where we shared 1,402 hugs, enjoyed live music, had fantastic conversations, and made new friends. The weekend was filled with high energy, both at the events and seeing all the photos and stories.
And then, Monday came.
The aftereffect. It wasn’t sadness or regret. It was the stark contrast. After a weekend filled with joy and hearing from huggers across the globe, the quiet of an everyday Monday felt noticeably different. As someone who helps people stay focused on what they want more of in life, I know how important it is not to lose that spark but to build from it.
As a positive mindset coach, I’ve learned that these emotional dips after something joyful are part of the natural ebb and flow. The key is not letting that dip take hold. It’s something I guide my clients through—and something I practice myself. Just because the event is over doesn’t mean the energy disappears. The hugs happened. The joy was real. And the ripple effect is still moving through the world—and me. So if you’re feeling that shift, acknowledge it and gently return your focus to what you want more of in your life. That’s how you carry the experience with you.
Moving forward, I encourage you to feel connected by:
Celebrating the Moments
Take a moment to reflect on what made your experience memorable. What lifted your spirit? Who made you smile? Jotting down a few favorite memories can help you relive the joy and stay connected to the positive energy. I did this after Global Hugs Weekend, and it reminded me that the impact lives on long after the event ends.
Honoring the Effort
Big moments don’t create themselves. Give yourself credit if you planned something, participated, or showed up fully. It’s easy to move on quickly, but pausing to recognize the heart, energy, and time you gave can deepen your sense of fulfillment. You made something meaningful happen—acknowledge that.
Letting the Energy Expand
Instead of feeling like it’s over, look at it as a spark. What came alive in you during that time? Let that momentum inspire your next step—planning something new, reaching out to someone, or simply carrying forward the spirit of connection. The energy doesn’t have to fade; it can fuel what’s next.
Return to Gratitude
Gratitude shifts everything. Take time to feel grateful for the people, the conversations, and the connections that made your experience meaningful. It brings the focus back to the heart of it all and helps keep you centered in what truly matters.
As I reflect on the messages, hugs, and connections from this year’s Global Hugs Weekend, I’m reminded that it’s not just about the event—it’s about how the energy from it continues to ripple out into the world. You can take that same energy, the joy, and the inspiration, and carry it into your daily life. It’s about building on the positive moments and allowing them to fuel the next step. Gratitude keeps the momentum going, and just like the hugs, kindness can continue to spread long after the event ends.
Affirmation:
I carry the joy with me.
Words to Love By:
Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened. – Dr. Seuss
Gratitude turns what we have into enough. – Aesop
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. – Arthur Ashe
Sounds for Your Soul:
