Childhood can be a time of wonder, growth, and safety. Yet for millions of people, early years are marked by experiences that leave lasting scars—not just emotional ones, but physiological changes that can affect health and wellbeing for decades to come. These experiences are known as Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs. Understanding them is an …
It’s Saturday morning. You wake up alone in a bed that used to hold two. The silence feels heavy. The coffee maker beeps in the kitchen, and you realize you only need to make one cup now. This is your new normal; it feels nothing like you thought it would. Divorce doesn’t just end a …
You moved to Austin two months ago. Your apartment is unpacked, you know how to get to work without GPS, and you’ve found a decent taco place. But on Friday night, you’re scrolling through your phone with no one to call, wondering if everyone else figured out how to make friends as adults and you …
The coffee maker beeps. You pour one cup instead of three. In the quiet morning kitchen, you notice the absence of backpack sounds, rushed breakfast conversations, and the chaotic energy that filled this space for years. Your child moved out last month. College, maybe, or their first apartment. You’re proud. You’re relieved they’re thriving. And …
It’s Tuesday afternoon. You’re at your desk, staring at your computer screen, when that thought shows up again: “There has to be something more than this.” Maybe it’s been months since you first questioned whether your current career still fits. Perhaps it’s been years. Either way, you are stuck between wanting something different and feeling …
You’re at dinner with friends when someone makes a comment that stings. You laugh it off, but you’re still replaying the moment hours later, wishing you’d said something. Or maybe you’re the person who always says “yes” when your schedule is screaming “no,” then resents everyone for taking up your time. These moments aren’t just …
You know someone who seems unshakeable. Maybe your coworker gets passed over for a promotion and bounces back with a better opportunity. Or your friend who handles family drama without falling apart. You might think they were born with thicker skin. But brain science tells a different story. Some people handle stress better than others …
I love working with couples. Despite being more complex than individual therapy, it is profoundly rewarding to assist a couple in finding renewed connection with their partner and with themselves. It is here, in the partnership, that each partner sees themself as they are and not just how they want to be. It is here, …
Do you feel like you’re someone everyone counts on, never to give up? The one who pushes through when others would quit, who sees projects to completion no matter what? If that sounds like you, this might be a difficult thought to hold: Your persistence could be working against you. We’ve all been taught that …
Do you feel emotions much more intensely than the people around you? Perhaps you’ve been told you’re “too sensitive” or that you need to “toughen up.” We need to challenge what society teaches us about feeling. Acknowledging your feelings isn’t a weakness; it’s a core component of emotional intelligence. In fact, people who experience emotions …
Author’s Notes: This story was shared anonymously by a reader. Writing this has been part of my own grieving process. My hope is that sharing our family’s story might bring some meaning to a senseless loss and help others who are walking this same path. My mother was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, which impacts personality, …
Your friend Sarah just texted to say that dinner plans have been canceled. Do you start spiraling about your ruined evening, or do you think, “Great, now I can try that new recipe I’ve wanted to make”? That difference? It’s called cognitive (or psychological) flexibility, which might be the most important mental skill you didn’t …
You spent an hour on Sunday mapping out your values. You read articles, journaled, and maybe even talked with a friend about what matters most. You identified your top five. You felt clear, even energized. Then Monday hit. Your boss asked if you could take on another project. Someone invited you to serve on a …
You know what you should do. You’ve made the lists, set your intentions, and promised yourself that this time will be different. But when your boss asks you to take on one more project when you’re already drowning, when your friend texts about plans but you’re completely drained, when you’re standing in front of the …
You used to know who you were. Now you stand in the grocery store, staring at cereal boxes, unable to make a simple decision. The you from two years ago had opinions about everything. This version of you can barely remember what you like for breakfast. Or maybe it shows up differently. You snap at …
You wake up one morning and nothing feels familiar, even though you’re in the same bed you’ve slept in for years. The divorce papers are signed. Your youngest just left for college. You retired last month. You moved across the country for a fresh start. Suddenly, the routines that once defined you have fallen away. …
Your personal values are like an internal compass. When you align with them, decisions become clearer and your day flows more steadily. You feel “off when you drift,” even if you can’t explain why. Here’s what makes values work challenging: You’ve probably absorbed other people’s “shoulds” your whole life. Parents, culture, Instagram, your industry; everyone …
It’s 2 AM. Your child has a fever; your boss needs that report by 9. Welcome to single parenting, where you’re not just juggling. You’re running the whole circus with no intermission. You’re in charge of every ring: childcare, work, bills, bedtime stories, broken faucets, and the steady stream of emotional support your kids need. …
If your work brings you face-to-face with crises, it can quietly change your mental health. Firefighters, EMTs, law enforcement officers, and therapists may witness traumatic events in person, while nurses, healthcare providers, social workers, teachers, and family caregivers often absorb traumatic stories through sessions, reports, and calls. Whether the exposure is direct or indirect, repeated …
Parenting a neurodivergent child, someone whose brain processes and experiences the world differently, such as with ADHD or autism, can be both significant and incredibly challenging. It often requires learning how to balance your child’s unique needs with your own boundaries and emotional well-being. Many caregivers pour so much energy into supporting their child that …