Takeaways

• Scheduling fun is essential for improving mental health and overall happiness
• Treat joy like a non-negotiable commitment, just like work or appointments
• You deserve time for yourself, and even small moments of joy can make a big impact

In this episode, Kayla Keenan introduces the concept of “Joy First” and explores why scheduling fun should be a priority, not an afterthought. She shares personal stories, practical strategies, and mindset shifts that help listeners overcome guilt and intentionally create more joy in their lives. From booking vacations to planning simple daily moments, this episode encourages you to take control of your calendar and make happiness a habit.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why joy should be treated like an obligation
• The connection between fun and mental health
• How to schedule vacations and use your PTO effectively
• Overcoming guilt around taking time for yourself
• The evolving definition of fun through different life stages
• Simple, low-cost ways to incorporate joy into daily life

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761

Takeaways

• Pet loss grief is real, valid, and often underestimated until you experience it yourself.
• Maxx was a loyal companion through Kyle’s cancer diagnosis, treatment, hospice journey, and the grief that followed.
• Healing after losing a pet does not mean forgetting; it means carrying their love, lessons, and memories forward.

Summary of the Episode

In this emotional episode of INDY Foundation Connecting Through Cancer, host Kayla Keenan opens up about the recent loss of her beloved yellow lab, Maxx, after 13 years together. Kayla reflects on how Maxx became part of her family before her late husband Kyle’s cancer diagnosis and how his bond with Kyle grew into something deeply meaningful.

Maxx was there through surgeries, quiet days at home, hospital visits, and hospice. His steady presence brought comfort to Kyle during his cancer journey and later became a source of companionship for Kayla as she navigated life after loss. Through memories of Maxx’s loyalty, personality, and love, Kayla explores why grieving a pet can feel so overwhelming and why that grief deserves to be honored.

This episode offers comfort for anyone who has lost a dog, cat, or beloved pet. Kayla reminds listeners that pets are not replaceable. They each have their own personality, their own chapter in our lives, and their own way of leaving a mark. For those walking through pet loss, cancer grief, or the heartbreak of saying goodbye, this conversation is a reminder to grieve fully, remember lovingly, and trust that the bond remains.

Key Topics Covered:

• Grieving the loss of a beloved pet
• Why pet loss can feel like losing a family member
• Maxx’s bond with Kayla’s late husband, Kyle
• The role pets play during cancer, caregiving, and hospice
• How animals offer comfort without words
• Navigating grief after making the decision to put a pet down
• Finding peace in the belief that loved ones are reunited
• Why healing does not mean forgetting
• Giving yourself permission to grieve without shame
• Honoring the pets and people who leave lasting footprints on our hearts

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761

In this episode of Connecting Through Cancer, host Kayla Keenan discusses the concept of the 'Let Them' mindset popularized by Mel Robbins. This mindset emphasizes the importance of allowing others to act according to their own choices, particularly in the context of cancer journeys. Kayla reflects on her experiences during her partner's cancer battle, highlighting the emotional complexities of support, boundaries, and the necessity of respecting individual coping mechanisms. The conversation encourages listeners to protect their peace and understand that it's okay to step back and let others process their emotions in their own way.

Takeaways

• Let people show you who they are instead of trying to control them.
• Protecting your peace is essential during tough times.
• You cannot control how others react to your situation.
• Letting others help can be a form of support.
• Emotional struggles can be hard to understand for caregivers.
• Sometimes just being present is enough support.
• It's okay to step back and not push for interaction.
• Respecting boundaries is crucial for emotional health.
• Coping mechanisms vary from person to person.
• The 'Let Them' mindset can provide emotional freedom.

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761