When Loving Yourself is Hard to Do
"Love yourself." "Stay positive." "Focus on your blessings." Sound advice, but easier said than done. Everyone struggles to love themselves at times. We all have moments of doubt or insecurity. But for some people, self loathing is a deeply lodged automatic default....
Love Your Body, Love Yourself
This is the time of year when I, like many others, think about what I’ll do in the coming months to get in shape. I don’t make resolutions per se, but I set goals. The last couple of years, I’ve wanted to lose 5-10 pounds, to eat more vegetables, and to exercise more...
Cultivate Growth to Get Unstuck
“I can’t, I’m just no good at it.” “This is who I am, that’s all there is to it.” “I’ve tried that, it doesn’t work.” Sound familiar? We’ve all felt this way at one point or another. However, such limiting beliefs become toxic when they predominate your thoughts. They...
Seven Simple Ways to Celebrate Winter
It is only natural for human beings to keep in tune with the natural rhythms of the earth. Doing so helps us stay connected to the spirit that moves through all things. Here are some simple ways to celebrate the solstice and welcome winter. Build a fire. Enjoy a cozy...
Ways to Stay Calm and Centered This Holiday Season
The holidays are stressful. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, irritable, or exhausted. Here are some simple tips to help you stay sane. Focus on what truly matters. Is it connecting with loved ones, generosity, faith, service? Take a moment to consider what you value and...
When They Don’t Love You Back
Your heart aches. You're overwhelmed by desire. All you can think about is that person, but that person isn't thinking about you. Feelings of inadequacy, confusion, helplessness, frustration, and anger swirl through you. You're not alone. The absence of reciprocity...
Honoring a Hallowed Time of Year
Have you ever wondered why people dress up like sexy nurses or bloodied murderers at the end of October? I mean, I know it’s because of Halloween, but have you ever wondered why we get all spooky, deceptive, and beggarly on that holiday? Because when you think about...
Tips for Easing Anxiety with Nutrition
I'm often asked about how to treat anxiety without the use of pharmaceuticals. Of course, there are many ways to address anxiety in therapy but a fundamental starting point is to begin by examining diet and nutrition. Since I am NOT a medical professional or a...
Advice for a Twenty-Five Year Old (twenty years later)
Today is my birthday. My 45th. Sometimes it’s really hard to believe that I’m as old as I am. Time is a crazy, fucked up, trippy experience. As I sit here in reflection I’m thinking about where I was 20 years ago. My 25th birthday marked a pivotal time in my life. A...
Imprisoned by Perfectionism
Today I’m going to tell you about Becky*. Becky is a perfectionist. Here’s the story Becky wants you to believe: Becky has her shit together. She’s hardworking and productive and quite clearly on the path to success. Becky is a smart problem solver. She’s rational and...
What If?
What if you stopped coloring your hair and let it grow grey? What if you stopped wishing you were taller, slimmer, prettier, smarter, more accomplished, more talented, more…perfect? What if you stopped desperately trying to change your body, stopped obsessing over all...
The Dark Side of Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day isn’t all sunshine and flowers and all-you-can-eat breakfast buffets. There is a dark side to the day that often goes unrecognized. Mother’s (and Father’s) Day is painful for many people for so many reasons. Sometimes this is due loss of a parent or a...