A friend asked me recently what I hoped to receive from this year. The answer tumbled out without effort, and it took me by surprise: “I want to be at peace with myself.” “I want to be at peace with myself.” As much as I’ve tried, I’ve realized I can’t escape me. I wake up …
Picture a dark, windowless cave. If you had no access to outside light, would your body know what time it is? The answer is yes and no. Our biological clocks, or the circadian rhythms that rule our sleep and wake cycles, do tell time, but they aren’t always completely accurate. Biological clocks depend on external …
When we’re in pain, heat therapy can provide some much-needed relief. How does it work? According to Healthline, heat increases blood flow to a specific area, which in turn helps relax and comfort muscles and joints. “Dry” heat therapy with heating pads, as opposed to moist heat therapy with steamed towels or baths, can be an …
You never forget the first time you truly see yourself in a photograph. For me, the first time I really saw myself in a photo, there was an instant feeling of recognition, compassion, and self-kindness. Finally. That’s me—that’s who I am. I discovered the art of self-portrait photography amid several life changes and when my self-worth …
It happens in the most everyday places, like when I go to the grocery store. I feel as if there is a lump in my throat, and on rare occasions, I freeze, shake, or sweat heavily. They must think I don’t know what I’m doing because my cart is empty. Is this the best cashier line? …
When I was younger, I’d lie awake at night planning my future, going as far as to create floorplans and pick out paint colors for my imaginary home. I wanted to live in a bungalow and be a professional writer. More than this, I dreamed about the person I’d become. Would I finally feel smart …
I used to think humility as a virtue meant putting myself last. I downplayed every accomplishment, every talent, and everything that made me uniquely me. Humility meant becoming exceptionally unremarkable. It meant I needed to dislike myself. But, surprise, that felt awful. As I got older and aged into myself, I realized that it’s okay to have …
Of the many, many things I was not prepared for when I decided to have a child, the postpartum experience is at the top of the list. I’m not talking about the sleeplessness, breastfeeding struggles, being touched out, or general terror of suddenly having a helpless little person entirely in our care; I’m talking specifically about all …
“The answer is within yourself. It cannot be anyplace else.” – Ra Uru Hu As humans, we find the discovery of our own identity fascinating. We’re so complex and often unpredictable that we turn to systems like astrology, Enneagram, and Myers-Briggs for clarity. They give us a sense of control. We use them to understand …
These are the two questions I get asked most often when I tell people about my enthusiasm for the Enneagram—and rightly so. Even with its gained popularity in recent years and the vast amount of books, social media accounts, and podcasts talking all things Enneagram, it’s still an abstract and curious system for many. Perhaps …