Therapy Speak and Boundaries

I have noticed a lot of discourse on the topic of boundaries - a psychology term used to describe limits and rules for yourself and your relationships. Boundaries can be healthy or unhealthy - porous or rigid - physical, time, mental, emotional, material, internal, conversational (source). Some individuals need more boundaries (ex: codependency, people pleasers),…

Identify Your Inner Critic So You Can Challenge It

We all have an inner critic, that critical inner voice, often described as a “subpersonality” that judges and demeans us on a daily basis. It tries to keep us small, self-sabotages, and listens to our fears. The voice stems from our childhood, based on the harsh remarks and criticisms from our caregivers that actually changed…

Lessons I Learned From 2022

Happiness starts from within.  Every New Year’s Day, for the past few years, I chose a theme for the year, an intention. Rather than making a lofty resolution, it gives me something positive to reflect on at the end of the year. 2020 was a focus on my career, after completing graduate school. As a…

Unique ways to connect with your inner child

The hurt of childhood wounds can last a lifetime. Our roots are deep and can be incredibly painful to untangle. As difficult as it can be, healing requires connecting to the child within without judgement. It involves leaving space to sit with the fragmented parts of yourself that experienced things it couldn’t understand - like…

Stages of Change

Do we ever really change? Are we doomed to repeat the same unhealthy patterns for the rest of our lives? We have the ability to rewire our brains and are constantly evolving. But how exactly do we start? There is something called the Transtheoretical Model or the 5 Stages of Change. First, we may recognize…

Taking Risks: The Key to Lasting Change

Our first steps, first day of school, first date, first kiss, first job, first place of our own, first marriage, first child. All of our lives consist of firsts. As children we navigate the world with fresh eyes. We constantly depend on our caregivers, because everything is a risk. Then as teenagers, we dive in…

Journal Prompt Ideas for Autumn Equinox

In the Northern Hemisphere, September 21-24 marks the time of the Autumn Equinox or “Mabon”. This time reminds us that Winter is indeed coming and we are in the middle of a constant, transformative cycle. According to Welsh lore, the great river goddess Madron gave birth to Mabon. As the divine son of a divine…

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs to Level Up Your Life

What are the things that hold you back from reaching your fullest potential? I am of the opinion that our beliefs can often be self-imposed limits. It’s tempting to blame all of our negative circumstances on external factors, “if it wasn’t for __ then I’d be happy”. Of course we all have different lives and…

10 Nonfiction Books That Changed My Life in 10 Years

Over the years, I have found comfort in great works of literature. Several, creative pieces of fiction have offered a means of well-needed escapism. Though there are so many ways to relate to Harry’s loyalty to his friends or the struggles in Frodo’s journey  - I have most truly met myself through works of nonfiction.…

Essential Self Care Habits For Your Daily Routine

Physical Eating more nutritious foods With the constant cycle of diet fads going in and out of fashion, this seems to be the common first step on our individual wellness journeys. I grew up in a vegan household and have had many issues with disordered eating and useless dieting attempts over the years. I struggle…