While conflict is inevitable, frequent arguments will affect a relationship over time. Couples that do not effectively manage conflict will enter a cycle of fighting that is hard to break. When disagreements become more frequent and intense, they can damage the positive aspects of a couple’s connection that brought them together in the first place….
Father’s Day always leads me to reflect on the tapestry of father figures who shaped my life. While my biological father is still with us today, his journey and ours as a family took an unexpected turn when I was eight years old. The Father I Knew Before Before his health crisis, my father was…
You know that sinking feeling when you’re pouring your heart out to your partner, only to realize they’re scrolling through their phone? Or when you’re trying to share something important, and they interrupt with a completely unrelated story about their day? You are not alone. Like many others, chances are you’ve felt invisible in your …
You may or may not be familiar with the term “family of origin” as it relates to therapy. When it comes to understanding how you function emotionally and/or in your relationships, it’s an important term to get familiar with. Key Takeaways: Self-Awareness is Foundational: Understanding your emotional patterns and core beliefs is the crucial first…
Here we are, doing our lives in whatever that looks like for each of us. We pass through our days in relationships, working, parenting, socializing, participating in hobbies, playing or just being. For many of us, as we age and move through different developmental stages, our perceptions, beliefs and priorities shift to some degree. This…
“I tried to hold your hand, but you’d rather hold your grudge” (“Which to Bury; Us or the Hatchet?” by Relient K). Letting go of a grudge is hard. As this verse from Relient K’s song says, sometimes we prefer to hold our grudge rather than let go of it. Holding onto grudges is not…
Father’s Day has a way of sneaking up on people. It often arrives with less fanfare than Mother’s Day—fewer flowers, fewer school crafts, maybe a few more grills and ties. And while most dads will say they don’t mind, that doesn’t mean they’re immune to feeling unseen. This list isn’t about fancy breakfasts or backyard…
It’s no coincidence that you’re searching for answers about feeling lonely in a relationship just when you need them most. You’re physically close to your partner, yet you feel emotionally miles apart. This disconnect creates a unique type of isolation that can be more painful than being alone because it contradicts your idea of what…
Developing self-awareness requires intentional effort and practice. Do you believe you already have self-awareness? Tasha Eurich, PhD, researcher and organizational psychologist, has spent more than 10 years surveying people about their levels of self-awareness. She’s found that while 95% of study participants think they’re self-aware, only about 10% to 15% of them fully are. –…
We own a 1994 Suburban that still runs great. We use it to haul bricks, wood, and sometimes the grandkids across town. The vehicle keeps going, and we’re grateful to have it. When parked next to newer, efficient vehicles, however, I see the glares of strangers and imagine them blaming me for melting ice caps…