Coping with Setbacks
I used to hate the saying “two steps forward, one step back.” It always seemed unfair that after putting in all the effort to move ahead, I’d suddenly be dragged back again—like some invisible force kept holding me back. That one step back used to feel like failure, and it could be enough to make […]
Boundaries Over Blame
When something goes wrong, it’s easy to blame someone else. Maybe my parents didn’t give me what I needed, my partner isn’t noticing me, or my friend is too demanding. Any of those things could be true, but putting all my frustration on other people rarely makes things better. I believe in being direct and […]
When Helping Hurts
I’ve always loved helping. I’d jump in to make someone’s work easier, help their party go smoothly, or even try to boost their self-esteem. It felt good to be the person who set aside my own needs to be of service. But when I really looked at it, I started to see it wasn’t all […]
Uncomfortable But Worth It
I was thinking about how to get things done. Just like everyone else, there are some things that come easy to me. We all have certain talents or aptitudes that feel natural as soon as we try them. There are also tasks and activities that become easier over time. Anything we do repeatedly becomes familiar […]
The Power of Choice: How Your Perspective Shapes Your Reality
Tell someone life sucks, and they’ll likely nod in agreement. Tell them it’s a wondrous adventure, and they might say the same. The truth? Life is both. It’s a beautiful paradox: joy and sorrow, triumph and hardship. The key lies in how we choose to view our world. Our perspective shapes the story we tell […]
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: The Choreography of Change
Before having the right tools, my attempts at change looked like this: Exhilarated Start, Crash Landing. I’d be swept away by motivation, diving headfirst into a new goal. Then, I’d try to overhaul everything at once, leading to burnout and quitting. The problem? We’ve been conditioned to believe that positive change should feel good – […]
Normalize Struggle: How to Embrace Challenges and Rise Above
Ever watch someone effortlessly do something that makes you trip over your own feet? Yeah, me too. We’ve all been there. Struggling with something, feeling embarrassed about it as you watch others seemingly breeze through the same issue. Don’t add to your burden by piling on the shame. Here’s the truth: I used to think […]
What Self-Acceptance Really Means (and Why It Matters)
Some people misunderstand self-acceptance. They might worry it means settling for who you are and giving up on becoming better. Others might fear it’s an excuse for bad behavior, thinking “if I accept myself as a monster, then everyone has to deal with it.” The truth is, self-acceptance is more about understanding yourself in this […]
How to Heal & Grow: Unveiling Your Role in Past Toxic Relationships
Have you ever looked back at a past relationship and felt a pang of confusion? You remember the fun, the laughter, the moments of pure joy. But you also know there were darker moments. You realize that you weren’t always valued. Maybe you were even ignored or treated with disrespect. It’s natural to feel a […]
Pain Can Make You Bitter or Better – How to Use Pain for Guidance
Ever feel like you’re constantly dodging emotional punches? Maybe you broke up with a significant other, lost a job, or experienced a major life shift. It’s during these times we often hear the saying, “pain can make you bitter or better.” For a long time, I held onto the desperate hope of living a life […]
