“Sliding Door Moments” are the words or gestures communicated to others that—despite seeming inconsequential—deeply affect the most important relationships in our lives. In the fluster of the holiday season, sliding door moments are easy to miss. When multitasking, you can’t concentrate adequately on any one thing. You lose sight of what is important. Opportunities for…
For generations, many boys have been taught the same lesson—sometimes explicitly, often subtly: don’t cry, don’t be scared, don’t be emotional. Sadness is brushed off. Fear is minimized. Vulnerability is framed as weakness. But what happens when we raise boys this way? When boys are told they shouldn’t cry when they are sad or admit…
Holidays are marketed as joyful and magical. There are family gatherings, holiday company parties, winter celebrations and more. Yet for many people it can be a time of pain, especially when there is loss. The holidays can intensify this as the contrast between togetherness and loneliness expands. People can feel more invisible as their pain…
Holidays can be stressful. There may be unrealistically high expectations for the holiday season. People often carry idealized images of what the holidays should look like—magic, harmony, beauty. When reality doesn’t match those expectations, you may feel disappointed. Causes of holiday stress The holiday season layers multiple stressors simultaneously: Financial pressure (gifts, travel, hosting) Rushed…
Infidelity profoundly disrupts the foundation of a relationship. It’s that moment when everything you thought was solid crumbles, leaving behind raw hurt, confusion, and a sense of betrayal that’s difficult to shake. For the person who’s been cheated on, the pain can feel like all-consuming waves of anger, sadness, and doubt about whether things can…
Sexual Desire Discrepancy One of the most common problems in a sexual relationship is a mismatch in sex drives, also known as a sexual desire discrepancy. This is where one partner desires sex more frequently than the other. The cycle usually goes like this: The higher desire partner initiates sex repeatedly, the lower desire partner…
Benefits of Staying Sexually Active Research shows that the following benefits are linked to having a more active sex life. Lowered stress and blood pressure Improved heart functioning Better immunity Stronger pelvic floor muscles Less overall pain Greater physical fitness Improved mood Improved cognitive functioning Higher self esteem While these positive outcomes have been associated…
Healthy relationships aren’t built on one partner leading and the other following. They thrive when partners are equals, each with valuable thoughts, feelings, and needs. Gottman research has shown that relationships flourish when partners accept influence from one another, meaning they are open to their partner’s opinions and perspectives. What Accepting Influence Really Means At…
We have all heard about feeling burnt out at work, but what about in your relationship? Workplace burnout usually signals it’s time to move on and find a new job, but does the same apply to your relationship? When the connection that once felt effortless now feels distant or draining, you might be experiencing something…
Blending a family is one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences a parent can go through. Even with the best intentions, bias can naturally show up. You may avoid using phrases like “my kids” or “your kids,” but the truth is that the bond you share with your biological children can feel different from…
