“The truth is that there is no such thing as a negative emotion. Emotions only become ‘bad’ and have a negative effect on us when they are suppressed, denied, or unexpressed.” ~Colin Tipping Emotions are constantly and powerfully guiding our lives, even when we are not aware of them, even when we do not feel […]
Tag: pain
What I Really Mean When I Say I’m Fine (Spoiler: I’m Not)
“Tears are words that need to be written.” ~Paulo Coelho It was lovely to see you today. I haven’t seen you in such a long time. So much has happened since the last time we saw each other. You asked me how I was. I politely replied, “I’m fine” and forced a smile that I […]
Where Our Inner Critic Comes from and How to Tame It
“Your inner critic is simply a part of you that needs more self-love.” ~Amy Leigh Mercee We all have that critical and judgmental inner voice that tells us we’re not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, etc. It tells us we don’t do anything right. It calls us stupid. It compares us to other people […]
I Was a Bulimic Nutritionist, but I’m No Longer Ashamed or Hiding
“Shame derives its power from being unspeakable.” ~ Brené Brown I felt like a hypocrite. I would tell my nutrition clients to eat a salad with vegetables, then I’d go home and scarf down an entire pizza. After guilt and shame set in, I would purge and throw it up. I think I became a […]
If You Want Closure After a Breakup: 6 Things You Need to Know
“We eventually learn that emotional closure is our own action.” ~David Deida When my last relationship ended, I didn’t really understand why. After eight years together and still feeling love for each other, my partner walked away saying he didn’t feel able to commit. He didn’t want to work on the relationship because he felt […]
How I Overcame My Debilitating Gut Issues by Digesting My Emotions
“I do not fix problems. I fix my thinking. Then problems fix themselves.” ~Louise Hay Here’s my secret: In order to fully heal over a decade of debilitating digestive disorders, I had to stop trying to heal. Instead, I had to do nothing. What, do nothing? Yes, that’s exactly right—I had to let go of […]
Why Forgiving Is the Last Step in The Process and What Comes First
“True forgiveness comes when you realize there is something totally radiant inside you, that nobody could ever touch” ~Eckhart Tolle I grew up in an emotionally abusive household. My father was a man who diligently provided for us, but he left me with scars and shattered self-esteem. My mother cooked me my favorite foods and […]
The Hurting Strangers We Pass Every Day and How to Help Ease Their Pain
Trigger warning: This post deals with an account of suicide and euthanasia. “Kindness can be its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.” ~Eric Hoffer The first time I sat with a person contemplating suicide, I had no idea until it was too late. I think about her often. She was a stranger. […]
Feel Hurt in Your Relationship? How to Get Your Needs Met and Feel Closer
“The less you open your heart to others, the more your heart suffers.” ~Deepak Chopra I used to handle hurtful situations in relationships the same way. I’d get angry, shut down, get irritated, or just give my partner the silent treatment. This just led to more of what I didn’t want—separation, loneliness, and frustration. So […]
One Question for Anyone Who’s Stuck in a Rut: What Do You Believe?
“You become what you believe, not what you think or what you want.” ~Oprah Winfrey What do you believe? During the forced stillness of the pandemic environment we’re all living in, this is a question I’ve been faced with more intensely than ever. In particular, I’ve come to question what I believe about myself, and […]