If you're heading into the holidays after a recent loss, you're not alone—and you're not doing it wrong if you have days where it feels impossible. This post offers gentle suggestions to help you navigate the next few weeks with a little more space and self-compassion.

The holidays carry a promise — lights, laughter, and the hope of connection. But for many, they also stir up sorrow and a deep ache. If you’re missing someone — or something — that once brought you belonging, know this: your grief is real. And it matters.

When the holidays bring more stress than joy, you’re not alone. For many, the holidays stir up more pain than peace. Even when there are moments of warmth, the season can bring a sharp undercurrent of anxiety, depression, grief, or emotional overwhelm.

You may have believed life would unfold in a relatively straight line: grow up, work hard, build a life. But here you are—and life feels messy.

Grief is a universal experience—but it can feel profoundly isolating. Whether you're mourning a loved one, a relationship, or a major life shift, grief often feels like a solitary journey few around you truly understand.

Change is natural—but it can be unsettling. Even transitions you anticipated or chose can trigger anxiety, symptoms of depression, or a deep sense of “where do I belong now?” These changes poke at identity, security, and connection.

Losing a dog, a cat, or any beloved pet can turn your world upside down. Pets are often our most steady and uncomplicated source of love. If you’ve recently lost a pet, the intensity of your emotions might surprise you. It doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means your love ran deep.

The relationship between hormones and mental health is profound, yet it is often overlooked when addressing anxiety in women. Let’s explore the key hormones that influence your mental health, how hormonal transitions can trigger anxiety, and some practical strategies for managing symptoms.

Divorce marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Lifespan Integration therapy offers a gentle, holistic approach that helps women reconnect with themselves, resolve unresolved emotional wounds, and move forward with greater resilience and self-understanding.

Depression, when it lasts a long time, has an erosive effect. Understanding how this happens is an important step toward rebuilding your self-esteem.

Stress is a fundamental part of being human. While we can't escape it, our secret weapon lies in our adaptive stress response. When this defense system is in top shape, it shields us from anxiety, keeping it from spiraling into something more severe.