When I was 33, I began introducing myself as Anna . I offered a polite fiction along with it: It’s the nickname I’ve always used.  Any followup questions were answered with just enough vague truth to satisfy curiosity and then we would all return to whatever we had been doing before. The small story kept everyone comfortable, which was exactly why I told it—because I still doubted I had the right, or the power, to insist on the truth. I’m 48 now, and no longer need that story

For many of us, our inner critic feels like an inescapable presence—a voice that replays our mistakes, points out our flaws, and seems determined to keep us small. It’s relentless, unforgiving, and often exhausting.  For the longest time, my inner critic ruled my life.  After any social gathering, I would come home and immediately start replaying every detail. Every word I said, every movement I made, every gesture and tone of voice—it was all subject to the relentless scruti

I used to feel completely stuck in my personal growth. No matter how much effort I put in, nothing seemed to change. I’d read the books, followed the advice, and tried to push through, but it always felt like I was spinning my wheels, not getting anywhere. I figured if I could just try harder or find the right strategy, then everything would finally fall into place. But the harder I tried, the more frustrated I became. It felt like real growth was always just out of reach. At

The stress of not knowing what's going on inside you might be making your stress worse than it needs to be. Let that sink in for a moment. I am absolutely floored by the number of people who tell me they've been in therapy for years, and no one has ever explained in depth what stress physiologically does to their bodies. That's not just a fail. It's a catastrophic oversight. Now, let me be crystal clear: I'm not bashing therapists. I'm a staunch advocate for therapy and whole

Let's start with a bold statement: Your capacity to handle the ups and downs of life is DIRECTLY impacted by the care you give yourself, your body, and your mind.  When you become so run down that your health is 'mandatory,' you may have already done some long-term damage. It may still be reversible or minimized, however, you will have likely put yourself out of the race you are running for FAR longer than the time self-care would have taken in the first place. Why Do We Do T

Owning your power isn't about dominating others or always having the last word. Sometimes, it means swallowing your pride and walking away. True power is a balanced act, a muscle that needs regular exercise and mindful practice. Understanding Your Old Programs We all have ingrained programs or patterns that we've developed over our lives. These are like muscles we've worked repeatedly because they served us in some way. Maybe you’ve always bulldozed through obstacles, getting

In our interactions with others, we often strive to be supportive and understanding, especially in moments of difficulty or distress. However, there's a delicate balance to maintain between validating others and invalidating ourselves. It's important to remember that we don't need to sacrifice our own well-being to make others feel good. Why We Invalidate Ourselves Several psychological factors contribute to the tendency to invalidate ourselves in order to validate others. Lo

I love the men in my life dearly. They are sensitive, strong, curious and fun. They enrich my life in so many awesome and amazing ways....

Stress is a common issue that can sneak up on just about anyone. Left unaddressed, it can lead to anxiety, depression, and physical symptoms like headaches, upset stomach, and trouble sleeping. Living with chronic stress can be exhausting and draining, affecting our relationships, work, and overall quality of life. It can be hard to recognize stress in ourselves. Society often praises busyness and achievement, making it seem normal to be stressed. Our own coping mechanisms ca

A little while back I jumped into Facebook ads, assuming it would be a breeze, only to find myself spending waaaaaaay more time and energy on it that I had anticipated (#blindspot).  I had thought, with my marketing background, as well as some past success running other types of ads, that I could easily whip out a series of quick placements and see crazy results.  How wrong I was. It's so easy to fall into my own traps. In the past, I would want to believe something would be

In the world of business and networking, communication is key. However, not all communication is created equal. Some approaches can be manipulative and harmful, leading to misunderstandings and strained relationships. As someone who receives a lot of direct messages (DMs) from various individuals, I have encountered my fair share of unhealthy communication styles. This week was no exception, highlighting a prime example of what I consider a red-flag correspondence technique.

Did you know stress affects your digestive system, which in turn affects your ability to create an essential hormone necessary for you to feel 'normal'? Serotonin is a key hormone responsible for feelings of balance and wellness. It is produced via the essential amino acid, tryptophan, which our bodies do not create naturally. This means we must get it from the foods we eat. What does this have to do with stress? Well, when we are stressed, our bodies go into fight or flight,

Planning every moment of every day is tempting. With a myriad of things we wish to achieve and experience, mapping out each second can appear to be the best way to make the most of our time. However, the drive to "maximize" can lead to BIG problems. As humans, we are wired to seek progress and accomplishment. These feelings signal to us that we are not lazy, that we are hardworking and deserving of whatever joy or success comes our way. Yet, this pursuit of constant productiv

Morning routines are a hot topic of discussion. So too is the debate of which elements get to be included in said routine to maximize our...

Do you know what kind of support you want, in small moments or day to day experiences? We often know the BIG things we want (support with...

The Illusion of Commitment: Unveiling the Comfort Zone Trap We've all been there—declaring our commitment to a goal, a project, or a...

I doubt it is the least bit shocking for anyone to know that immediately prior to my hike up Kilimanjaro a lot of things were going...

When I left to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, I had many intentions. I would break through my inner glass ceiling, connect to my inner self,...

Yesterday my daughter walked into our home and stopped dead. She surveyed the room carefully and her eyes narrowed in concentration. ...

I am not a fan of running stairs. Hate is an overly excessive word so I am not going to use that, but suffice to say I do not ‘leap’ out...