Educational posts
A Tree Doesn’t Apologize for Being a Tree Have you ever noticed how a tree doesn’t try to be anything other than a tree? It doesn’t rush to grow. It bends with the wind. It rests in winter and blooms in spring. And somehow, it always knows just what to do next. In other words…
Rewriting the Narrative: How an “Effective List” Can Help You Hold On in Hard Times There are moments in life when everything feels heavy. Days when the negatives are so loud, it’s hard to remember that good things have ever existed. During these times, your mind can become a filter that only lets in the…
Hit Reset by Savoing Small Moments Life moves quickly, and in the hustle and bustle of everyday responsibilities, we often overlook the small moments that can bring us peace and healing. Yet, these small moments—like a warm hug from a loved one, the feeling of your pet’s love, or the beauty of a sunset—can be…
The Quiet Cost of Making Yourself Smaller Why Women and Minorities Often Shrink Themselves in a World That Expects It I was in the very crowded Seattle airport recently when it hit me again. Dragging my bag through the terminal, I found myself twisting sideways, shrinking my shoulders, sidestepping people as if I were a…
How Hard Times Become Your Superpower Why resilience grows through struggle — and how you’re stronger than you think. I want to talk to you today about something we all go through: hard times. Maybe you’re in one right now. Maybe you’re just coming out of one. Or maybe you’re carrying the weight of something…
Let’s talk about something I see all the time—both in therapy and in everyday life. It’s the pressure to prove yourself. I often refer to it as internal vs external validation. Have you ever finished something you were proud of, only to second-guess it because no one else noticed? Or maybe you did something brave—like…
Finding Freedom: Healing Religious Trauma While Living in the Bible Belt For many people here in the Bible Belt, religious culture is not just a part of life—it is life. Churches often sit on every corner, and faith-based language is woven into daily conversations, school systems, politics, and social expectations. For some, this environment offers…
The Hidden Harm of Toxic Positivity: Why “Good Vibes Only” Isn’t Always Good Have you ever been told to “just stay positive” when you were struggling? If so, you’ve experienced toxic positivity—this idea that we should always be happy, no matter what. While positivity can be a powerful tool, forcing ourselves (or others) to be…
Are They Just Lucky? Or Is It Mindset? How Scarcity, Abundance, and Negative Bias Shape Your Reality Have you ever looked at someone else’s life and thought, They’re just so lucky? Maybe they always seem to be in the right place at the right time. Or they land amazing opportunities effortlessly or they are the…
Are You a Dog or Cat When It Comes to Boundaries Are you a dog or a cat when it comes to how you set boundaries? I want you to imagine two very different animals: a dog and a cat. The dog is loving, eager, and always by your side, ready to please. If you…