We’ve all been there — trying to be kind, to keep the peace, to make sure everyone else is okay. We listen patiently when we’re exhausted. We say yes when we’re already overcommitted. We tell ourselves, “It’s not worth the conflict,” or “They didn’t mean it.” We think we’re being compassionate, but really, we’re managing […]
We don’t talk enough about the emotional side of growth — the part that feels anything but empowering when you’re in it. When you start working on boundaries, what you’re really doing is breaking old emotional contracts. You’re saying, “I love you, but I can’t keep losing myself to stay connected.” And that’s scary, especially […]
Do the Brave Thing Courage doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it looks like telling the truth when your voice shakes. Sometimes it’s saying “no” without apologizing. Sometimes it’s sending the message, making the call, or finally showing up as yourself — even if you’re not sure how it’ll be received. We often think bravery means […]
Healing can’t happen in hiding. But for many of us, hiding was once the only way to survive. We learned early on that being too honest, too emotional, or too visible could cost us safety, love, or belonging. Maybe we were told to “stop overreacting,” “toughen up,” or “keep that between us.” Maybe when we […]
Control is one of those things that looks like strength on the surface — until you realize it’s slowly wearing you down. Maybe you’ve spent years being the responsible one. The fixer. The one who anticipates everyone’s needs before they even ask. You keep the peace, hold the schedule, and hold everyone else together. But […]
Fear can be sneaky. It doesn’t always look like panic or avoidance. Sometimes it looks like endless “planning.” Like convincing ourselves we’re just not ready yet. Like scrolling instead of doing the thing that’s been tugging at us for months. Like getting involved in ANYTHING but the thing you are afraid to make progress on…anyone […]
There’s a specific kind of ache that comes from not being able to trust yourself. Not in the dramatic, “I’ve hit rock bottom” kind of way. But in the quiet moments—when you make a promise to yourself… and don’t keep it. When you say, “I’ll rest,” and don’t. When you say, “Next time I’ll speak […]
When we talk about healing or “finding ourselves,” it’s easy to picture something big. A career shift. A boundary-setting moment. A tearful breakthrough in therapy. And yes, those moments are real—and sometimes necessary. But the truth is, coming home to yourself often isn’t a grand gesture. It’s not one giant, brave act that changes everything. […]
If you’re always waiting for the next shoe to drop, it’s time to ask—what part of me doesn’t feel safe? We’re not meant to live with our shoulders up to our ears. But for many of us, being “on edge” has become the norm. You might call it anxiety, overthinking, or burnout, but often, it’s […]
We all want to be emotionally honest. To speak up when something hurts, to ask for what we need, to be seen and understood for who we really are. But here’s the truth: honesty doesn’t happen in a vacuum. You can’t be emotionally honest when you’re constantly bracing for criticism, correction, or shutdown. And you […]
