2 Apr 2019

Battling Mental Blocks

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Battling Mental Blocks

Do you have trouble making decisions? People who have trouble making decisions tend to overthink everything.  Many struggle with mental blocks even in the most benign everyday situations. I have a good friend who spends way too much energy making even the smallest decisions.  A perfect example is when we try to make dinner plans. […]

28 Feb 2019

Understanding Meta-Emotion

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Understanding Meta-Emotion

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw “We don’t communicate,” is the #1 reason that couples seek help. Usually, each partner blames the other for not “getting it”. Blaming someone else for your own dissatisfaction is a roadblock in general.  However, when it comes […]

10 Oct 2018

Embracing the Awkwardness

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Embracing the Awkwardness

A childhood friend recently posted a photo on Facebook of our “girl squad” from middle school. As I looked at the expression on my face, it was clear how unsure I felt at the time. I had a visceral memory of how uncomfortable it was to trying to join this group of girls who already […]

4 Sep 2018

The 6 Self-Care Commandments

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Have you noticed that self-care has become yet another thing we are expected to be good at?  Because we live in a world where we are constantly comparing ourselves, trying to measure up to some version of an ideal person, we have focused on the behavior of self-care and whether or not we have done […]

4 Sep 2018

The 6 Self-Care Commandments

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The 6 Self-Care Commandments

Have you noticed that self-care has become yet another thing we are expected to be good at?  Because we live in a world where we are constantly comparing ourselves to see if we measure up to some version of an ideal person, we have focused on the behavior of self-care and whether or not we […]

2 Jul 2018

Is Independence Over-Rated?

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Is Independence Over-Rated?

When I think of the Fourth of July, I think of a summer party celebrating the independence of our country from the British Empire. A day filled with fireworks, hotdogs, and spending time with family and friends. But July 4th is not the only time we celebrate independence.  If fact, independence one of the most […]

8 Jun 2018

What can you let go of?

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What can you let go of?

I was recently reminded of an ancient fable that teaches us about what we hold on to and whether or not that serves us. The story takes place in ancient China where, apparently, there was a monkey problem. To set a trap for the monkeys, the villagers cut a narrow opening into a coconut and […]

8 May 2018

Has your Mental Load Become Too Heavy?

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Has your Mental Load Become Too Heavy?

Don’t you love it when a buzzword perfectly describes your experience! The most recent buzzword that seems to have struck a collective nerve is “mental load.” Mental load refers to all the mental work–the organizing, preparation, and planning etc.–that you do to manage your life, your household and your kids. Mental load is real and […]

8 Mar 2018

Ready For a Truth Bomb?

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Ready For a Truth Bomb?

I’m having writer’s block. I’ve tried to write something inspiring several times over the past week and it is just not happening. Since I’m not inspired to create, I am writing myself a permission slip.                 When was the last time you gave yourself a permission slip? Maybe […]

6 Feb 2018

Why Date Night Won’t Save Your Relationship

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I know what you’re thinking. Melissa, isn’t this the exact opposite of what you’ve been encouraging for years now? Yes and no. Yes, date night is important. Unfortunately though, if your relationship is in a negative place, date night is more likely to end with tension than romance and sex. A recent session with a […]