We have all experienced a toxic relationship at some point in our lives. Whether it be a romantic relationship, a friendship, or with a family member, that toxic relationship has probably affected you in multiple ways. Understanding how past relationships affect us can help us to heal and move forward in a healthy manner. #1: FeelingRead More
Talking about our trauma is difficult. Most of us are too uncomfortable, scared, or overwhelmed to get those words out. For some of us, telling our loved ones about our trauma is far more difficult than telling a professional about it. We do not want to put that stress or worry onto someone else. Many ofRead More
When we lose a connection and relationship with someone, it can be extremely emotionally challenging. Just like facing death, living with estrangement means learning to live without someone. When that relationship is terminated or broken by the other person, it can cause many emotions. If you are already facing mental health challenges, addiction, or traumaRead More
Asperger’s syndrome refers to a high-functioning form of autism. The behaviors that are typically ascribed to Asperger’s are now encompassed under the umbrella diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Individuals with Asperger’s often have difficulty with social situations. Many times those with this syndrome have a difficult time fully understandingRead More
Love and support are both beautiful things. We need both to successfully journey through life and continue to face our recovery. However, many of us struggle to receive love, especially after we are sober and leading a healthier lifestyle. We can give love, but accepting it from others is an entirely different story. Why isRead More
Everyone communicates differently. The way we phrase things, the words we use, or the tone of our voice are all unique to each of us. Some people are naturally good communicators. They understand their audience and communicate in a way that their audience can comprehend. They interact in a positive way. Some of us tendRead More
Everyone experiences trauma differently. What may significantly affect one person may have little effect on another. For some people, trauma can affect every aspect of their lives. It can turn daily activities into strenuous and stressful events. Trauma can also significantly affect the relationships we have. When we begin to work through our trauma, weRead More
Many of us struggle with giving up full control. We like controlling situations because then we can determine their outcomes. When we are in control, we know how we will look, how the task will go, and how we want others to perceive us. In other words, we find ourselves as perfectionists. When we want thingsRead More
Gratitude can be thought of as the quality of being thankful or the readiness to show appreciation for and return kindness. Learning to show and acknowledge gratitude is an important life skill. So often, we get wrapped up in our own lives. We focus on our struggles, what we are doing, and our daily lives. SometimesRead More
Sometimes burying our feelings seems to be the easiest option. If we just suppress those emotions deep enough, they can not possibly bubble to the surface and hurt us, right? You cannot feel what you do not acknowledge, right? For most people, it is not that simple and not that easy. When we avoid our trauma,Read More