In the simplest sense, a boundary separates one thing from another. A fence is a boundary between two properties; our skin is the boundary between our organs and the outside world. A boundary is the line where one thing ends, and another begins. When we set a boundary with another person, we create some sort…
On a quiet January evening, David spotted the signs. His son, Ethan, a high school sophomore, sat at the kitchen table, his eyes glued to the light of his phone screen. Light flickered across his face, casting long shadows that seemed to echo the dark emotions hidden beneath his calm exterior. David’s worry deepened as…
‘In insecure relationships, we disguise our vulnerabilities so our partner never really sees us.’ Dr. Sue Johnson Will you be there for me? According to Dr. Sue Johnson, founder of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), most arguments in relationships are protests over emotional disconnection. Underneath the fights, partners are wondering: Are you there for me? Can…
We all need emotional connection. Humans have a natural desire for connecting with others. Whether that’s with a relative, a partner, a friend, or a coworker, it satisfies the common emotional needs of being included, having a sense of control over our lives, and being liked. When these needs are met, people experience well-being and…
The line between love and hate, passion, and pain (especially if you have experienced trauma)can feel as thin as a sliver. The reasons for this are complex, but what is essential to know is thatwhen researchers put two strangers on a perilous, swinging bridge together, the strangers aremore likely to be attracted to one another…
Mothers give birth not just to a child, but to a family. You have been a shining example of this, Bjørg. As you approach 90 with white hair, your hands trembling more than they used to when grasping your coffee cup, the fear of losing you intensifies with each visit and conversation. I look back…
Does your effort to support your partner spiral into arguments? Maybe you can relate to Elena and Tom below. Elena: (Sighs) Today was… overwhelming. It felt like everything that could go wrong,did. Tom: At least it’s over now, right? I’m sure it’ll be better tomorrow. Elena: (Feeling misunderstood). It’s not just about having a bad…
Parenting fatigue, also known as parental burnout is a mental health issue many parentsexperience. To define it simply; parenting fatigue is when the responsibilities of parenting addup and create excess stress that causes mental and physical health symptoms. This in turnmakes it hard to continue the role of parenting. It can be a downward cycle…
We all have big dreams and ambitious goals we’d love to accomplish, like getting that major promotion while still having quality family time, getting fit and healthy despite a crazy busy schedule, or saving up enough to retire early and pursue our passions. The problem is that these huge, life-changing objectives can feel so daunting…
Have you ever felt totally uninspired by those vague corporate mission statements? The ones that say things like “To be the world’s most trusted provider of integrated solutions”? Or by those vague New Year’s resolutions? The ones that say things like “Get in shape” or “Be a better person”? Blah blah blah. What does that…
