Wisdom teachers throughout time have preached the importance of knowing oneself. When we develop our self-awareness, not only do we gain a clearer sense of who we are, we also learn to appreciate how we influence and are influenced by the world around us. Self-awareness is essential for personal growth, better decision-making, and more fulfilling relationships. Knowing who we are anchors us to what’s important. Without this internal North Star, we’re easily swayed by external

A child’s nervous system is shaped by those around them, particularly by those responsible for their care. When we were little, we weren’t able to independently regulate our internal state. We relied upon our caregivers to pick up on cues that something was off when we weren’t able to directly communicate the specifics of the problem. When we were hungry, sad, or scared, we depended on our caregivers to notice our signs of distress and help us feel sated, safe, and secure.  S

Are you afraid of stating your authentic thoughts and feelings because you worry you might upset those around you? Do you say yes to requests even when it’s something you don’t wish to do? Do you habitually neglect your needs in order to meet the wants and needs of others? If you answered yes to these questions, you might be a people-pleaser. If so, I can relate.  People pleasing, also known as fawning, is a learned behaviour that causes someone to prioritize others at their

When we reflect upon the state of the world, it is understandable why we may feel anxious, angry, depressed, or despondent. There’s a shortage of affordable homes. Wages aren’t keeping up with the rising cost of living. Social unrest and political violence are escalating. Wealth and power are concentrated in the hands of the few. The insatiable news cycle inundates us with stories of relentless tragedy. Social media has eroded our collective attention span, sense of self-wort

Our nervous system, and the state that it’s in, is responsible for our entire lived experience. It decides what sensations we pay attention to and which ones we ignore. It profoundly shapes the the thoughts we think and the emotions we feel. It shapes our perception of time and how quickly or slowly it passes. It determines the way we view ourselves, what we believe about others, and how safe, dangerous, hopeful the outside world appears to be.  Regulated and dysregulated ner

Is there some unspoken truth in your relationship that is causing you distress? Are you hoping that the issue will resolve itself without having to say anything? Maybe you know that you need to say something to that person, but you’re unsure how. As much as we’d like to avoid them, difficult conversations are an inevitable aspect of life. In these moments, the pain of withholding our genuine thoughts and feelings becomes greater than the cost of speaking them. These times mi

Many people today have turned to AI language learning models like ChatGPT to address their mental health concerns. The ease and access of this technology makes it an attractive option. For many, therapy is simply inaccessible. The benefits of a therapeutic relationship often take time to unfold. For those with financial limitations, attending numerous costly sessions may not be a realistic option.  For some, receiving therapy from an AI chatbot is preferable to working with a

After deciding to make a change in our life, we can become dismayed when the initial excitement and motivation begins to wane. In these moments it is important to remember that it’s natural for systems to resist change in order to maintain the status quo. Change that’s too much or happens too quickly can be overwhelming. Our bodies, for example, are constantly resisting rapid, sweeping change through the process of homeostasis. Our internal systems exert continual effort to m