When we were little, we were taught to say “sorry” when we did something wrong. For some of us, somewhere along the way, we picked up the habit of apologizing constantly – just moving through life. People go to therapy because they need to talk about their desire for an apology. I know in the past, I’ve held the belief that an apology needed to happen before I could move on, and I’m not alone. Some folks wait years – sometimes their whole lives – for an apology. They stop speaking to loved ones, they hold grudges. They rearrange entire parts of their lives because they feel an apology is…
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If you survived high school, chances are you know about mean girl behavior. You may have had your own mean girl, or you may have been one yourself. These women are difficult, to say the least – manipulative, cold, cruel. And they aren’t only found in high‑school hallways; the mean girl can also show up in adulthood. Unfortunately, people don’t always “grow out” of it. We all know that one woman who can dole out a solid back‑handed compliment or shower you with micro‑aggressions. But what actually is a mean girl? What makes her so mean, and how do we handle being around her without losing our peace? What Is…
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How many people do we meet over the course of our lives? Sometimes those people are with us throughout our whole lives, and sometimes they are only with us for the short term. However long the stay, everyone has something to teach us. The goal for this post is to remind folks to consider the greater good of their life journey when someone in their life chooses to exit. I tend to look at the end of a relationship as the end of a life lesson; what has that person taught me? Different people are meant to show you certain things. Someone who oversteps your boundaries may be teaching you…
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Healing doesn’t only mean you make friends with your shadow side, and it’s more than working through past traumas. There’s even more to it than learning to trust yourself. We all know that healing requires you to walk through some dark nights and accept some hard truths. We also know that there is freedom on the other side of letting go. One thing, however, that I don’t think is discussed as much when it comes to healing, is how much space you create for yourself to feel the good things more fully. So many of us approach our healing journey with the hopes of feeling better, less sad, less focused…
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Everyone wants to feel more confident. We want to speak up, show up, and carry ourselves like we belong – because the reality is, we do. However, if you’ve ever felt like confidence is something other people just have and you somehow missed the memo, this post is for you. Confidence isn’t something you’re born with – it’s something you actively and consciously build for yourself. Like any other emotion, confidence is fluid; it can be high one day and low the next. It’s something you can learn, shape, and choose for yourself at any time. In this post, we’ll discuss how being ready helps build real confidence. One of…
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It’s almost like before we begin healing, we’re one person, and after healing, we become someone entirely new. Not in personality or essence, but in how we see. This is a shift that is both natural and necessary. When you’re still hurting, it’s easy to move through life wearing a filter that distorts reality just enough to protect your heart. However, healing sparks clarity; it removes that filter; and what you begin to see might surprise you. You start to feel a new kind of peace – one that doesn’t depend on how others behave. That freedom allows you to notice things you hadn’t before: the subtle ways people take,…
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When you stop seeking approval, some people may become uncomfortable around you. The impact that how you feel about yourself has on others is very real. You start living more authentically, standing tall in your truth and being who you are, you might find that people seem different. Maybe someone who once seemed supportive pulls away, becomes critical, or even passive-aggressive. When you stand firm in who you are, you learn that confidence can unsettle others around you. This isn’t necessarily a good or bad thing, although it might sting a little – especially if you aren’t expecting it. You might even feel tempted to make yourself smaller, or revert…
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We talk a lot about using compassion, patience, and understanding as tools for growth – and rightfully so. They’re essential. But one powerful tool that often gets overlooked is curiosity. Approaching situations with curiosity and the intent to learn more can change your whole experience. Asking deeper questions helps you understand the world and yourself. Being open allows you to find the answers you’re looking for, and having curiosity leads to clarity. Use curiosity in place of judgement – judgment closes your mind, while curiosity does the opposite. In fact, curiosity allows you to see everything from a different perspective; it can even be fun if you want it to…
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I feel like this saying is everywhere: Protect your energy. It’s become a kind of modern mantra – a shorthand for emotional self-care. Whether you’re navigating toxic work environments, draining relationships, or trying to avoid burnout, the idea of protecting your energy offers a sense of empowerment. It’s a way to reclaim your peace, and – there’s more to it than that. I mentioned the phrase “protect your energy” to my therapist once. In response, he paused and asked, “What would happen if, instead of using the word protect, you used the word curious?” It was a subtle shift – but one I’ve referenced ever since. What if protecting your…
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When we imagine healing, many of us picture something soft. We might expect lightness, peace, or a specific kind of clarity. Eventually, yes, those things do come. However, in the beginning – and often right in the thick of it – healing can feel like a flood of emotions. It can feel overwhelming and we can sense it in places we didn’t even know we were holding pain. Something that doesn’t get talked about quite as much, is that healing sometimes hurts, too. Sometimes, healing can feel a little confusing. You might find yourself thinking, “Why does this hurt more now? Shouldn’t I feel better? Isn’t healing supposed to help…
