The Power of Saying ‘No’: How to Set Healthy Boundaries Without Guilt
Saying “no” can be one of the hardest things to do, especially if you’re used to putting others before yourself. Whether it’s taking on extra work, attending an event you don’t have the energy for, or lending a hand when your own plate is full, the pressure to say “yes” can feel overwhelming.
Fall Into Positive Change: How to Navigate Life Transitions and Set Boundaries During Stressful Times
As the leaves begin to change and the crispness of fall sets in, many of us are reminded of the constant shifts in life. Just as the trees shed their leaves and prepare for winter, we too go through seasons of transformation—whether through external changes like moving to a new city or internal shifts like reevaluating personal priorities. For many, this time of year also brings stress, anxiety, and feelings of burnout as we navigate these transitions. It can be a busy, overwhelming period that requires intentionality and self-care.
Fall presents a powerful opportunity to reflect on where we are in life, what’s no longer serving us, and how we can set healthier boundaries to protect our mental health. Life transitions, while often stressful, can also be a time of great personal growth and positive change.
Let’s explore how to approach life transitions with intention, how to set boundaries during these times of stress, and how to manage anxiety and burnout along the way. Whether you’re dealing with a career shift, a change in relationships, or just feeling the effects of seasonal transitions, this guide will provide you with tools to help navigate your journey.
Self-Care vs Self-Indulgence: Finding the Balance
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term “self-care?” For many of us, our minds are flooded with images of bubble baths, long days at the spa, shopping sprees, and other things that are generally either unattainable or unrealistic to do regularly. Sure, those activities might be part of self-care for some people, but self-care has become such a buzzword these days that its meaning has been skewed and often confused with self-indulgence. This confusion overshadows the deeper meaning and purpose behind true self-care practices.
What to Expect in Therapy
In honor of Counseling Awareness Month, let’s talk about the therapy process! Have you ever considered going to therapy, but wondered how that would appear in the eyes of others? If so, then you are certainly not alone. In fact, many people shy away from the idea of seeking therapy, out of the fear of being evaluated or being labeled as “crazy.” It is not uncommon for us to wonder about what this process looks like in real-time. After all, many people have only been exposed to therapy by viewing how the media wants to portray the process. Picture the typical movie version of an overwhelmed person lying on a couch, while a serious clinician takes notes and asks invasive questions. Yet, this is an over-exaggerated depiction of what therapy actually looks like. In fact, therapy is quite different than this overused stereotype.
New Year Insights
Here we are again, that inspiring feeling of the new year is finally upon us! It is a new year, so it should mean a new you- right? Well, not necessarily a “new you.” In fact, let’s try to forget those words and find a more realistic way to work on those goals of simply becoming a better version of yourself. We know that change is a process that takes a lot of time and commitment. So, how do we begin without feeling completely overwhelmed at the new list and disappointed in our results from last year’s? Here are a few tips to ring in 2023 with small, but meaningful progress.