The new year is a natural time to make changes and create new habits. We love the idea of making a fresh start in January, but most of us end up frustrated and disappointed just a few weeks into the new year. We all know from experience that putting ourselves on a radical budget or […]
We all know a person or two who’s overly dramatic. Perhaps it’s your mother or cousin, your coworker, or your neighbor. It’s draining to spend time with people who exude negative energy, always seem to have a problem or crisis, and demand your attention. Often, overly dramatic people, such as these, want to suck you […]
As Christmas and the New Year approach, it’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy — the sense that you must do more, spend more, be more. All of this pressure and unrealistic expectations can make it hard to fully enjoy the holidays. It keeps us busy and distracted from what matters […]
Are you familiar with the acronym JADE? It’s a reminder to not justify, argue, defend, and explain. If you’re you repeatedly drawn into conversations or arguments that seem to go nowhere, feel compelled to respond to accusations that you know are false, or feel like you have to justify your behavior or choices to a “difficult” […]
We live in a world with high levels of sensory input – loud movies, bright lights, crowds of people, the 24-hour news cycle, social media and technology that constantly interrupt and demand our attention. If you’re a highly sensitive or empathic person, this can be overwhelming and overstimulating, and leave you exhausted and […]
Fall is here and with it comes busier schedules, colder weather, and shorter days. In the blink of an eye, the holidays will be here, and we’ll be wrapping up another year. Autumn is a natural time for reflection and gratitude and it provides some special opportunities to use seasonal self-care ideas like the […]
Codependency is an unhealthy form of dependency, but it’s not dependency in and of itself that’s the problem. There are healthy forms of dependency, otherwise known as interdependency, that make relationships stronger. But distinguishing codependency from interdependency can be tricky — especially if you haven’t experienced many healthy relationships yourself. What is interdependency? […]
Whether you’re healing from a traumatic event, coping with yet another depressive episode, or trying to become a better parent, you know that progress rarely happens in a straight line. Intentional growth and healing are the results of hard work – often over an extended period of time. Positive changes don’t “just happen” and […]
Have others minimized, shamed, or invalidated your feelings? Having your feelings diminished, ignored, or rejected is a painful experience for all of us – but even more so if you’re a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) or survivor of abuse or other trauma. It’s important to have a sense of belonging and to be a […]
In my last post, I shared 15 Signs You Have a Toxic Parent. Awareness is a great place to begin, but if you have toxic parents, what you really want to know is how to cope with their crazy-making. How are your toxic parents impacting your life? Toxic parents can make your life […]