As an adult, I had to learn to say “no.” What most people learn early on in their lives, I struggled to assert. In my family, obedience was expected, regardless of the circumstance. Raised in a strict religious environment, fawning was a requirement of my survival, and I filled the role of the dutiful daughter […]
Emotions are the paints to life’s blank canvas, in my opinion. When you discover a new one, you’ve discovered a new color. Similarly to paints, there is a basic emotional palette, and then endless variations and combinations. In the art of contemplative psychotherapy, we practice meeting each emotional experience with present awareness and compassionate witnessing, […]
I recently read a newly published book by Galit Atlas called Emotional Inheritance. Galit writes about the trauma that is unprocessed by the generations that precede us (our parents, grandparents, great grandparents), and how that trauma manifests in our lives. She calls it “the legacy of trauma,” something we inherit. It is also called the […]
What happens when we don’t respect our capacity? When we push past our limits? When we allow ourselves – or even welcome – depletion, like it’s a normal part of life? I once believed the myth that depletion was a part of living and that self-care would fill me back up. Empaths have a […]
Certain conversations sound simple until you actually have them. This is one of them. People throw around words like sympathy, empathy, and validation as if they all mean the same thing. They don’t. And if we confuse them, we can end up doing something very dangerous in relationships: we can believe we are helping someone […]
If you’re a woman who feels constantly overwhelmed, distracted, or “behind” – despite trying hard to stay organized – you’re not alone. Many women with ADHD go years without a diagnosis, often being misunderstood or misdiagnosed along the way. The truth is, ADHD in women can look very different than the stereotypical hyperactive presentation, and […]
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Feeling Stressed? Here are 7 Neuro-Science Backed Ways to Become More Resilien Understanding the effects of our past can help us deal with stress both now and into the future. Gleaning from the study of brain formation and function, neuroscience has discovered what is known as a pattern of stress which can help us become […]
We talk about rest constantly. We tell each other to slow down, to unplug, to take a vacation. Wellness culture has turned recovery into an industry sleep trackers, meditation apps, productivity podcasts that devote entire episodes to the importance of doing nothing. And yet, most of us remain deeply, persistently tired. Part of the problem, […]
“Practice self-care” is common advice—especially when life feels overwhelming. But not everything we call self-care is actually care. Sometimes it’s self-soothing: a quick way to calm discomfort in the moment. Both self-care and self-soothing have a place in emotional wellness. The key is knowing which one you’re using—and whether it’s helping you heal or simply […]
