Honestly, it is an unfortunate reality that I am writing this, but a necessity. Recently, I attended an event that was meant to be a joyous celebration, but instead, I was left feeling angry and minimized. As I continued to process my anger, it transformed into a sense of empowerment, and eventually, I felt motivated and slightly unstoppable. The spike in motivation that I felt spurred on this post.

Body image refers to how we perceive our physical selves and how we think others perceive us. It’s a complex interplay of self-esteem, societal standards, and personal experiences. For many, this perception can be strongly influenced by external forces, such as social media and the larger cultural context, as well as internal insecurities. Beauty standards are often unattainable and unhealthy, which can place us in a double bind of striving for external appearances different than our own, or feeling like we are unattractive or outcasted from others.

In the fast-paced, and sometimes oppressive, world of corporate America, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. With deadlines looming and meetings stacked back-to-back, many professionals find themselves operating on autopilot, dimming their unique spark. However, maintaining your “main character energy” (MCE) is essential for not only your personal growth but also for creating a dynamic workplace culture. Here’s how to keep your energy vibrant and impactful in the corporate environment.

Being a mom...one of the most rewarding roles AND a role that comes with many layers of responsibility, much of that responsibility going unseen to the outside world. From the moment a child is born, a mother begins a journey of giving, guiding and ensuring everything is running smoothly for the family. Whether she works outside the home or solely manages the household, a mom is often trying to balance a diverse mix of duties and demands. But what does it really mean to carry all this responsibility? And why is it so important to recognize the depth of what moms do, even when they don't ask for recognition?

Last month I focused on the unseen weight that mom’s carry and it felt suiting to follow that up with a look at what a fathers experience can be like. When we think about mental health, we often think about the challenges mothers face, or even the struggles of children. However, one of the most under-discussed areas of mental health is that of fathers. There tends to be an unspoken burden on dads to be strong; to be providers and protectors. But what happens when dad isn’t okay?

Dating apps offer convenience and access to a broader pool of potential partners, but they also bring about frustrations and emotional challenges. When using online dating apps you may feel that the formula used on these platforms withhold certain profiles from view and prioritizes looks over compatibility, which may cause you to feel at the mercy of these mysterious algorithms. While dating app algorithms are designed to help users find matches, they are also built to keep users engaged and ultimately, to generate revenue. As a result, these algorithms may encourage behaviors that align with the app’s business model, such as spending money on premium features or staying on the app longer. By understanding how these algorithms work, you can adjust your approach and potentially get better (and possibly more compatible) matches. Here’s how you can use an understanding of dating app algorithms to get different results.

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in daily routines and distractions, losing sight of what truly matters to us. Understanding and connecting with our core values can be a powerful way to navigate life’s challenges and make meaningful choices.

As the first day of fall arrives there is joy in the crispness of the air, the leaves changing, and pumpkin spice everything being back on the menu. But for many it also means that their seasonal depression may come back any day now. This condition affects millions of individuals worldwide, typically striking during the fall and winter months due less sunlight and colder temperatures. For some, even the joyful sights and smells of the fall and holidays triggers feelings on fatigue, sadness, and numbness. Pair that with the stress of the holidays and it can be a recipe for several miserable months ahead. However, there are steps you can take to prevent seasonal depression and put your mind at ease about your state of mind over the next few months. Below are a few tips to proactively prevent yourself from falling into the winter blues.

t’s that time of year where everything we see on social media is “Best Valentine Date Ideas" and “12 Valentine’s Gift Ideas for Your Partner.” However, when you are single these can feel like a judgement from everybody in the world reminding you that you are alone on this holiday and everyone else is not. And then there are people telling you to celebrate your singleness and sharing how blissfully happy a single life can be. It’s okay to not be over the moon in love or thriving in “hot girl summer” or “BDE” culture. It’s okay to be single and not happy about it.

The holidays are a time of tradition. Most of us have special traditions with our families or loved one during the holidays, such as cooking a special meal or going around the table to express our gratitude. This is why the first holiday season after a loved one has passed can be extremely difficult.

Did you grow up in a family where there was constant fighting, the absence of any emotion, or a combination of both? Did you grow up with plenty of examples of how relationships shouldn’t be? This may leave you concerned about how the dysfunction in your family impacts your ability to have healthy relationships of your own. At Authentic Connections Therapy and Wellness our skilled team specializes in understanding these aspects of relationships and is here to help.

The term “narcissist” is thrown around often, especially for people who have high self-esteem, love to talk about themselves, and are proud of who they are. However, people with a narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are often those who have low self-esteem and need to be admired and complimented consistently, don’t have empathy for others, and have a hard time accepting criticism.