Some anniversaries leave an imprint that time doesn’t erase. The day associated with a loss can stir heaviness, anxiety, or a sense of restlessness, often catching people off guard.

The weeks following a break can be surprisingly tender. We return to our routines with intentions, hopes, and quiet expectations — only to find that plans shift, energy runs out, or something we were looking forward to doesn’t happen after all.

The turn of a new year often arrives carrying a familiar message:
Start fresh. Do better. Fix what didn’t work. Grief and anxiety often intensify at the beginning of a new year, particularly for those who have experienced loss or prolonged stress.

A therapist’s reflection on grief, survival, and the slow turn toward self-compassion

For much of my life, I did what I had been shaped to do. I worked hard. So when life became unimaginably painful after the tragic deaths of my son and my mother, I relied on the strategy that had always helped me survive. I worked harder.

That strategy wasn’t wrong. It was the way my system protected me.

The holidays often arrive carrying two truths at once: the hope for connection, and the weight of expectations that rarely unfold as planned. For many people, this season brings increased emotional demand, relational strain, anxiety, and nervous system fatigue.

The holidays arrive with lights in windows, familiar songs, and gatherings meant to signal joy. For many parents grieving a child, however, this season carries a very different rhythm—one shaped by absence, ache, and quiet remembering.

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.