Becoming Mom, Becoming Me

Becoming a mom has hands down been the greatest joy of my life, but it has also been one of the most humbling experiences. Like many new parents, I expected sleepless nights and endless diaper changes. What I didn’t fully anticipate was the emotional roller coaster that comes with postpartum life and the way motherhood would challenge me to rethink …

The Cost of Having it All Together: Unpacking the Fear of Failure

When I was 21 years old, like most young people, I thought I had it all figured out. On paper, my life looked like the blueprint for early success. I had just graduated from college with a dual degree in only three years, secured a job straight out of school, and bought my very first house. To the outside world, …

The Power of a Summer Soundtrack

Summer is here! That means different things to different people – pool days, family grillers, sleeping in (all of the above?). One thing that it means to me is a change in playlist. Listening to music has a profound impact on my mental health. It is a protective factor for me, meaning that it provides a buffer against stress, trauma, …

Slow Down & Be Present With This Version of You

Remember to stay present with this version of you. This is a reminder I am telling myself right now. Recently, I’ve been somewhat freaking out about becoming a mom. I’ve been so excited for so long but with my due date approaching in just over a month, I’m starting to feel all the fears and feelings. I’m starting to wonder …

It’s Okay if the Holidays Aren’t So Joyful

It’s okay if the holidays are hard for you. I was always someone who associated the holidays with joy. The holidays always were a joyous time for me and my family. As I got older, it became less about material items or the food and more about the time spent with some of my favorite people. My therapist has told …

Finding The Joy Again

I’m starting to feel joy again. What an amazing feeling. I remember telling my therapist shortly before my mom passed that one of my goals was to be able to truly feel laughter and joy again. I spoke about how life felt less joyful, and moments of laughter felt almost out of body, and that I wasn’t actually experiencing them …