There’s a kind of grief we don’t talk about enough—the kind that doesn’t come from losing a person, but from losing a version of your body you once knew. Maybe it’s the body you had before chronic illness. Maybe it’s the body before aging, pregnancy, surgery, injury, weight changes, or trauma. Whatever the reason, the […]
There’s a particular kind of ache that comes from feeling like you’re on the outside looking in. Maybe you’ve never quite felt like part of the group—even when surrounded by friends. Maybe you walk into a room and immediately wonder if everyone secretly wishes you weren’t there. Maybe you grew up in a family where
Feeling Like You Don’t Belong? It Might Be Attachment Trauma in Disguise Read More »
Attachment, Relationships, Trauma
Teenagers are known for mood swings, late-night existential crises, and growing pains—so how do you know when it’s just a tough week versus something deeper like depression? And if your teen is struggling with depression, how do you support them without overwhelming them or making things worse? Here’s the hard part: depression in teens doesn’t
How to Help Teens Navigate Depression Without Pushing Them Away Read More »
Coping Skills, Depression, How To, Parenting, Teens
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, Am I actually helping or am I making this worse, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common and confusing dynamics I see in relationships. On the surface, support and enabling can look almost identical. You care deeply about someone. You want to protect them from pain.
Supporting vs Enabling: How to Know the Difference and Why It Matters Read More »
Boundaries, Family, Friends, How To, Relationships
It usually starts quietly. You make a small mistake, miss a deadline, or replay something you said in a conversation. Before you can stop it, that familiar inner voice shows up with sharp commentary. Why did you do that? You should have known better. What is wrong with you? This is self criticism. For some
When Self Criticism Becomes the Loudest Voice in the Room Read More »
Acceptance, Challenges, Compassion, How To, Personal Development
Let’s be real—making peace with your body in today’s world can feel like trying to meditate in the middle of a rock concert. The noise is everywhere: social media, diet culture, unsolicited comments from relatives, even the well-meaning “compliments” that are really just coded critiques. It’s no wonder so many people walk around feeling disconnected
How to Make Peace With Your Body (Even on the Hard Days) Read More »
Acceptance, Compassion, How To
Therapy can feel like a relaxed conversation. You talk, your therapist listens, and sometimes they ask thoughtful questions. It can be easy to assume that therapy is mostly about venting or getting advice. But there is a lot more happening in the room than you might realize. While you are sharing your story, your therapist
What Your Therapist Is Really Paying Attention To In Session Read More »
Therapists, Therapy
Ever told yourself to “just get over it” or pushed down a feeling because it felt too inconvenient, uncomfortable, or intense? If so, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not broken. We all have emotional habits that help us cope with life. But over time, those habits can shape how we relate to ourselves and others.
Suppressing vs. Processing Emotions: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters Read More »
Emotions
Patience sounds like one of those things you either have or you don’t—like curly hair or a green thumb. But in reality, patience is a skill. A learnable, developable, often painfully slow-to-develop skill (yes, the irony is noted). And in a world of instant gratification, fast Wi-Fi, and two-day shipping, patience isn’t exactly something our
How to Be More Patient: Real-Life Steps to Strengthen Your Patience Muscle Read More »
Personal Development
When we think about taking care of our mental health, we usually think of therapy, exercise, mindfulness, or maybe journaling. But creativity often gets overlooked, and honestly, it deserves way more credit. Creativity is not just for artists or people who consider themselves “creative.” It is for anyone with a brain, which means it is
Why Creativity Is So Good for Your Mental Health Read More »
Emotions, Mental Health, Wellness
Let’s talk about goal stress and how to take the pressure off The pressure to achieve can sneak up on you. One moment you feel motivated and ready to get things done. The next, you are spiraling because you did not do enough today or someone on social media seems way ahead of you. If
What to Remember When You’re Stressed About Reaching Your Goals Read More »
Goals, Growth Mindset, Personal Development, Stress
Healing from anxiety does not usually arrive with a big moment of clarity or a sudden sense of calm. More often, it is quiet and gradual. It might look like noticing your thoughts instead of being swept away by them. It might feel like breathing a little easier in situations that once sent your heart
8 Subtle Signs You’re Healing from Anxiety (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It Yet) Read More »
Anxiety, Healing, Mental Health, Personal Development
Therapists hold space all day long. We listen closely. We regulate our own nervous systems while helping others regulate theirs. We show up with empathy, curiosity, and presence, sometimes session after session without much of a pause. We are trained to sit with pain, resistance, growth, and those beautiful moments of insight. And still, we
Gentle Reminders Every Therapist Needs (Yes, Even the Seasoned Ones) Read More »
Professional/Work, Therapists
If you have ever heard someone say, “I am out of spoons today,” and felt confused, you are not alone. It has nothing to do with chores or dishes. It is a way many people describe something that is hard to put into words: limited energy. Spoon Theory is a concept that comes from disability
What Spoon Theory Really Means and Why It Matters for Your Mental Health Read More »
Acceptance, Anxiety, Boundaries, Challenges, College/Students, Compassion, Coping Skills, Couples, Family, Friends, Mental Health, Relationships, Stress
Anxiety isn’t just an “adult thing.” Kids feel it too—sometimes just as intensely, but without the language or life experience to explain what’s going on. Whether it shows up as a stomachache before school, a meltdown over a seemingly small change, or a refusal to try something new, anxiety in kids can be sneaky and
5 Practical Ways to Help Kids Cope with Anxiety (That Actually Work) Read More »
Anxiety, Children, Coping Skills, Parenting