What would you say if I told you that fishing is one of the healthiest, easiest hobbies out there? Don’t believe me? Let’s see if I can convince you! 

When you hear “gray matter” and “white matter,” this is referring to different areas of the brain. Gray matter is the darker, outer portion and is mostly in charge of processing and interpreting information.

Of all the personality tools I’ve ever dived into, none has been as helpful and insightful for my daily life as the Enneagram. Haven’t heard of the Enneagram?

Before you write me off as crazy, let me explain. I’ve believed in taking myself on dates since I was a child, but back then, I didn’t know that was what I was doing.

Did you know that here in America 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience sexual violence at some point during the course of their life?

Think back again to the mountain analogy. Not many hikers set out to just reach the summit without stopping. Instead, they plan for breaks along the way. They pack snacks and take breaks, enjoying the beauty around them as they climb.

When you see someone who looks really fit at the gym, the last thing you are likely to consider is that they may be engaged in addictive behavior right in front of your eyes.

I recently met a new friend who moved to the United States with her family from Chile. She had been living here less than a year when we were first introduced, and the language barrier is a challenge for both of us.

During an argument, I’m usually the quieter one. Sometimes, it looks like I’ve shut down. However, I may not have a lot to say verbally in the moment, but my mind is running at 90 miles/hour processing what’s going on.

What she described is called “dissociation,” and it’s defined as “a mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity” (BHC, 2012). You may also hear it referred to as “depersonalization.”

It’s clear that dating apps are here to stay, and there are some unanticipated upsides to looking for love online. Of course, there’s always more to the story.

At some point during the pandemic, I realized that I was starting to wonder why I even bothered at all. Why did I get dressed every morning? Why did I shower? Put on a little makeup? Brush my hair?

Sometimes the very hardest part of goal setting is deciding what goal to set. It sounds simple, but if this question is not answered, then there is simply no way forward.

Once I finished one exam, I had to start studying for the next one. And if by some miracle I didn’t have to start studying for a few more days, there was a presentation to crank out or another time-eating assignment.

Have you ever seen a bride karate chop a board in half while wearing her wedding dress? I have! Several years ago, I was lucky enough to photograph a wedding where the bride and groom were both karate instructors so their reception was… shall we say, interesting?

The above are all very real conversations I’ve had with myself, and two of them happen pretty regularly. Talking to ourselves is something we all do, maybe the most when we’re by ourselves.

We all want to be seen. And that’s what makes walking past someone all that much more hurtful. Walking past without even a single glance (let alone a second one) says, “I don’t see you.” It says, “You don’t matter.”

I like a clean house. A house where surfaces are cleared off, items aren't "stored" on the floor, and things tend to lean toward the minimal versus cluttered. My kids do not share this desire. The table is the best place to put all the things.

There are times in our lives, especially after a traumatic event, that we may feel that we are better off if we isolate ourselves from others. Intimate partner violence, loss of a loved one, or recent trauma are a few triggers that may push a person to think that they would be better off alone than with others.

My children have a picture book on the shelf called, Someday is Not a Day of the Week written by Denise Brennan-Nelson. It’s one of those sneaky books that I think is actually written more for parents than for kids.