Why Protecting Your Energy Isn’t Selfish or Shameful
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” ~Ian Maclaren A friend recently told me a story about her mother that stayed with me. They walk together…
Why Trying to Be Good Enough Kept Me Feeling Empty
“The opposite of belonging is not isolation—it’s fitting in.” ~Brené Brown One of my earliest memories comes from kindergarten. My mom had bought me a new pair of navy-blue corduroy…
It’s Okay to Have No Purpose Beyond Being and Enjoying This Moment
“I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.” ~Joseph Campbell I was sitting on my…
The Betrayal of Expectations: Coping When Life Doesn’t Go to Plan
“What will mess you up most in life is the picture in your head of how it is supposed to be.” ~Unknown I expected to get into college. I expected…
When Being Helpful Hurts: A Guide to Better Boundaries When You’re Feeling Drained
“You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you stop, and what you reinforce.” ~Tony Gaskins It was a Tuesday afternoon when I said the word…
How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed by Other People’s Strong Emotions
“It is not your responsibility to figure out what someone else is feeling and why. Let go of the illusion that ‘fixing’ their bad mood will make you feel better.”…
The Hidden Cost of Trusting the Universe More Than Yourself
“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.” —Rumi The last days of the year felt like the right time to let…
Letting Go of the “Good Person” Identity and Spiritual Expectations
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” ~Lao Tzu For many years, I was deeply involved in spiritual communities—satsangs, meditation centers, ashrams, and…
Staying Present in a Life That Isn’t What You Expected
“To live without arriving is to learn how to stay.” ~attributed to the Buddha For most of my life, I assumed that arriving was the point. Like many people, I…
When Love Feels Like Pain: Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
“Sometimes the person you love the most is the one who teaches you the hardest lesson about yourself.” ~Unknown I once thought that being in a relationship meant sacrificing parts…