The Lie of Packaged Healing and the Truth About Feeling
“Emotions are not problems to be solved. They are signals to be felt.” ~Vironika Tugaleva We’ve been taught to package our emotions like fast food—served quick, tidy, and with a smile. Americanized feelings. Digestible. Non-threatening. Always paired with productivity. If you’re sad, journal it. If you’re angry, regulate it. If you’re overwhelmed, fix it with […]
How to Stop Measuring Your Body Against Others
Seventeen-year-old Marina walked down a crowded street in her hometown. Soon to be a senior in high school, she found herself surrounded by college students who had just returned for the fall semester. They filled the sidewalks, shopping for dorm supplies, chatting in groups, and moving confidently through the town. For Marina, however, this scene […]
Why Parents Are Lonely and How They Can Connect
The term “lonely parent” may seem like a contradiction in terms. Parents, by definition, are inextricably linked to at least one other human, after all—their child. And parents are constantly interacting with other humans: teachers, doctors, coaches, caregivers, and other parents, including, for many, the co-parent. Thus, it’s no wonder that so much of the […]
Your Emotions Care About the Facts
…..But Your Emotions Care about Facts The popular maxim that “facts don’t care about your feelings” has become a touchstone of modern debate. It suggests that truth is harsh and objective, immune to the influence—or distortion—of emotion. But does this slogan capture the whole story? Naturally, our emotions care profoundly about facts. They respond to […]
Why Get Married Today? 8 Reasons to Say ‘I Do’
You know that moment when you’re scrolling through social media and see another engagement announcement, and you find yourself wondering: Is marriage still worth it? Maybe you’re deeply in love with your partner but questioning whether a wedding ring really changes anything. Or perhaps friends and family keep asking when you’re getting married, and you’re […]
How I Got Free from the Trap of Resentment
“Jerry, there is some bad in the best of people and some good in the worst of people. Look for the good!” ~George Chaky, my grandfather I was seven when he said that to me. It would later become a guiding principle in my life. My grandfather was twenty-one when he came to the US […]
Enmeshed Families: When Control Is Disguised as Closeness
Most people value close, supportive family relationships. We want to feel loved, understood, and connected. But when families become too tightly connected—or enmeshed—that closeness can interfere with our ability to develop our own identity, make independent choices, and pursue our goals. What Is Enmeshment? Enmeshment is often confused with closeness or intimacy, both of which […]
Building a Partnership That Lasts
Maybe you’ve been together for months, or even years, but something feels uncertain. You love each other—that much you know—but love alone doesn’t guarantee a successful relationship. The truth is, the strongest partnerships don’t happen by accident. They’re built with intention, care, and yes—a plan. So many couples drift through their relationships hoping things will […]
Does Preventing Depression Look Different for Black…
For decades, researchers have developed and tested adolescent depression prevention programs that show strong results. But a new study reveals a major flaw in the evidence base: These programs, largely tested on white youth, may not work equally well for everyone. The peer-reviewed study examined the effects of a culturally adapted school-based depression prevention program […]
Why Maladaptive Daydreaming Deserves More Attention
About 12 years ago, the movie “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” depicted the push-pull between accepting disappointing real-life experiences and conflating them into imaginary ones. And a 2017 YouTube analysis, currently touting 743,000 views, dives right into the core issue: maladaptive daydreaming—a growing research area since 2002, when the term was first coined by […]