Hearing Out Life Drama Blog

Change—whether we ask for it or not—is rarely easy. It’s uncomfortable, unfamiliar, and often downright intimidating. Even good change can bring feelings of uncertainty or fear. Yet, change also carries within it the promise of...

In eighth grade, I had the opportunity to join the "Gifted and Talented" program. It was a chance to be recognized as one of the "smart kids," but that’s not how I saw it. Not long after joining, I struggled with a single math assignment....

The Power of Naming Feelings: A Path to Connection and Growth

The swimming pool was alive with the sounds of children splashing, laughing, and playing, but one interaction caught my attention. A child nearby was wailing, visibly resistant and...

I recently received feedback from someone who resonated with a message on my website: "Bottling up feelings can lead to anger or frustration toward loved ones, or worse, unhealthy coping mechanisms." They shared that, while they consider...

The holidays are here, and one of my gifts has already arrived—my daughter and her cat are staying with me for a few weeks. I couldn’t be happier. There’s something truly special about having her here, filling the house with...

Here’s the scene: Kitchen, Anywhere USA.

“Let me DO something!” she exclaimed. “I can help!” Her determined 81-year-old self insisted.

“Mom, I can’t even count how many of these gatherings you’ve...

“You don’t listen.” Ouch. Hearing this can sting. If these words sound familiar, you’re not alone. Many of us have experienced this moment, and while it can feel uncomfortable, it’s an opportunity to reflect and...

Guest Blog by Deborah Bircham of Live Well With Chronic Illness

(DipCNM, UKIHCA-RHC, Dip.Hyp, mNCIP, mANP)   https://livewellwithchronicillness.co.uk/ 

When I first became sick with Lyme Disease and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome in...

Thanksgiving is a time to come together, share a meal, and reflect on what we’re grateful for. It’s a holiday centered around connection, yet for many, the conversations that happen at the table can sometimes feel superficial or,...

The holidays bring reflection, gratitude, and a deeper appreciation for those who have been by our side. For many, it’s also a time to pause, regroup, and recharge before the new year begins. This holiday season, one of the most meaningful...

Difficult conversations are an inevitable part of life, whether they arise with a partner, friend, colleague, or family member. These conversations can feel daunting, but they also hold the potential to deepen understanding and strengthen...

I was about 10 when an adult in my world made a racist joke. Softly, I looked at them and asked with sincerity, “Do you really believe that Black people are all that different from you?” It brought them up short, and they shook their...

I was in graduate school taking a course on creativity when one day, our professor had us play musical chairs. It came down to the last two people. The music stopped, and as one student went to sit down, the other moved the chair, causing them to...

We've all been there—dealing with someone who just seems to rub us the wrong way. It could be a colleague, a family member, or even a stranger who crossed your path at the wrong moment. It’s human nature to feel frustration or even...

Failure is often seen as something to be avoided at all costs, a word loaded with negative connotations. When we even hear the word, we feel uncomfortable. Many of us are conditioned to believe that failure is a sign of inadequacy, but what if we...

We all encounter hard things in life, whether it’s a difficult project at work, navigating relationships, or simply pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zones. Doing hard things often feels uncomfortable and even impossible at times, but...

What do you do when mistakes happen? Because they will.

Every adult knows that no matter how well things are planned, something is bound to go wrong eventually. It could be a missed school project, a forgotten appointment, or an overlooked chore....

“Let’s all smash clay pots together in our minds. Picture this: we’re on a large, open slab of concrete in a calm, scenic place. Surrounding us are hundreds of clay pots, and we’re all allowed to smash as many as we want....

Bullying is rampant in American culture today. It’s a problem that stretches far beyond schoolyards and playgrounds. While we often think of bullying as something that only happens to children, the reality is much more complex. In fact,...

When you think of a creative person, what comes to mind? Perhaps you envision an artist painting a masterpiece, a musician composing a symphony, or a writer crafting a novel. These are, of course, quintessential examples of creativity. But what if...

Just as a snow fence helps channel snow to where it will do the best good and least harm, so do boundaries help us in our daily personal and professional lives. Boundaries are more than just barriers; they are a form of self-care. They help us...

Horns honk, crowds bustle, kids shout—life is noisy and fast-paced, and it can be overwhelming. Every day, news articles point out the harm of that stress. But as someone living in this world, what can you do about it?

Finding Calm with...

“I want to hit the trifecta.  Time, money and the health to enjoy it,” a friend said to me.  While the trifecta may be out of reach, there’s much good to be found in retirement.  This blog post will reflect on the...

The time has come.  The ones you’ve nurtured to adulthood are about to be on their own.  

Encouraging Independence: Letting Them Find Their Way on Their Own

When our children grow up and move out, they will be confronted with...