Relationships

What Are “Spoons”? Understanding the Spoon Theory in Mental Health

If you’ve ever heard someone say, “I’m out of spoons today,” and wondered what on earth they meant, you’re not alone. It’s not about forgetting to do the dishes—it’s a shorthand that’s taken root in disability and mental health communities to describe something many of us struggle to explain: limited energy. The Spoon Theory, coined […]

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Acceptance, Anxiety, Boundaries, Challenges, College/Students, Compassion, Coping Skills, Couples, Family, Friends, Mental Health, Relationships, Stress

6 Texts Narcissists Send to Keep You Hooked (And Why They Work)

It usually starts with a message that feels sweet—or at least confusing enough to make you pause. You’re thinking about pulling away from the relationship, maybe setting boundaries or finally walking away, when ding—your phone lights up with a text that throws you right back into the loop. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

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Attachment, Relationships
Why "Letting Them" Might Be Your Best Mental Health Move Yet

Why “Letting Them” Might Be Your Best Mental Health Move Yet

If you’ve ever found yourself constantly stepping in to fix, manage, or smooth things over for everyone else, you’re in good company. It’s a habit that sneaks in quietly and stays for the long haul. And while it often comes from a caring place, it can leave you feeling exhausted and emotionally drained. What if

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Acceptance, Challenges, Family, Mental Health, Relationships
What to Do When You Feel Abandoned: A Therapist's Guide to Navigating Emotional Disconnection

What to Do When You Feel Abandoned: A Therapist’s Guide to Navigating Emotional Disconnection

Feeling abandoned isn’t just about someone walking away. It’s that deep, gut-twisting ache that makes you question if you’re enough, if people care, or if you can really trust anyone to stay. It might come from a breakup, a friendship that faded, or growing up with a parent who was there but never really there.

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Attachment, Connection, Emotions, Guides, Relationships, Therapists
What We Need to Normalize Asking Our Partners (Yes, Even the Awkward Stuff)

What We Need to Normalize Asking Our Partners (Yes, Even the Awkward Stuff)

No one’s a mind reader. Healthy relationships aren’t about guessing what someone else needs or hoping they’ll magically know what you need. They’re about real, open conversations. And yeah, sometimes that means asking questions that feel awkward, scary, or a little too honest. But here’s the truth: the more we practice asking intentional, caring questions,

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Communication, Connection, Relationships
Joyful Reciprocity: The Mental Health Magic of Giving and Receiving with Intention

Joyful Reciprocity: The Mental Health Magic of Giving and Receiving with Intention

There is something very comforting about the moment someone does something kind for you and you naturally want to respond with care. Not to pay them back or even things out, but simply because it feels good to give from a genuine place. That feeling is joyful reciprocity. It is not just politeness and it

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Celebrate, Friends, Mental Health, Relationships
The Real Difference Between Requests and Boundaries in Relationships

The Real Difference Between Requests and Boundaries in Relationships

“Can you not do that?” “I need you to stop.” “That makes me uncomfortable.” These all sound like boundaries, but they are not always actual boundaries. In therapy and in everyday life, we talk about boundaries a lot. One of the biggest points of confusion is the difference between a request and a boundary. Both

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Boundaries, Couples, Family, Friends, Relationships
Understanding Why Other People’s Opinions Don’t Define You

Understanding Why Other People’s Opinions Don’t Define You

Have you ever felt paralyzed by the fear of what someone might think about you? Maybe it’s the hesitation to wear a bold outfit, share a creative idea, or set a boundary with a friend. That nagging voice in the back of your mind whispers, “What will they think?” Spoiler alert: their opinions don’t matter

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College/Students, Connection, Coping Skills, Relationships, Teens
7 Signs Someone Lacks Self-Awareness (And Why It Matters for Mental Health)

7 Signs Someone Lacks Self-Awareness (And Why It Matters for Mental Health)

Self-awareness is one of those qualities that everyone assumes they have—until reality proves otherwise. It’s the ability to recognize your emotions, understand how your actions affect others, and adjust your behavior accordingly. But for some people, self-awareness is more of a blind spot than a skill. A lack of self-awareness can show up in small,

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Challenges, Communication, Relationships
Understanding Attachment Styles: How Your Childhood Bonds Shape Adult Relationships

Understanding Attachment Styles: How Your Childhood Bonds Shape Adult Relationships

You know that feeling when someone pulls away and you suddenly spiral into overthinking every text you ever sent them? Or maybe you’re the one who feels smothered the moment someone gets emotionally close. These responses aren’t random—they’re often rooted in something called attachment styles. Attachment theory isn’t just psychobabble—it’s a well-researched framework that helps

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Attachment, Children, College/Students, Couples, Family, Friends, Relationships
The Truth About Closure: Why It’s More Complex Than You Think

The Truth About Closure: Why It’s More Complex Than You Think

Closure is one of those concepts we hear about all the time—often in the context of relationships, loss, or life’s messy transitions. The idea sounds comforting, almost like a magic trick: tie up the loose ends, process the experience, and voilà, you’re free to move on. But let’s be real—closure is rarely that simple, and

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Attachment, Challenges, College/Students, Couples, Family, Grief, Parenting, Relationships
Understanding the Hidden Behaviors of Anxiety That Might Seem Rude

Understanding the Hidden Behaviors of Anxiety That Might Seem Rude

Imagine this: you’re talking to someone, sharing a story, and they suddenly look away, fidget with their phone, or offer a one-word response. It might feel dismissive or even rude. But for someone living with anxiety, these behaviors aren’t about disinterest or bad manners—they’re often a protective mechanism or a symptom of their inner struggle.

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Anxiety, Relationships, Stress
Are You Being Manipulative Without Realizing It? Here’s How to Tell

Are You Being Manipulative Without Realizing It? Here’s How to Tell

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I didn’t mean it like that!” or “I was just trying to help!” after someone reacted negatively to something you said or did? Maybe you’ve felt hurt when someone didn’t take your advice, or frustrated when a friend didn’t pick up on what you were hinting at. If so,

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Gaslighting, How To, Relationships
7 Things Secure People Do Differently in Relationships (and Why It Matters)

7 Things Secure People Do Differently in Relationships (and Why It Matters)

Have you ever met someone who just gets relationships? They don’t overthink every text message, they don’t panic when their partner needs space, and they don’t seem to get caught in the same emotional loops that others do. These people aren’t perfect, but they do have one thing in common: secure attachment.Securely attached people experience

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Couples, Relationships
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