May 2025

Living with chronic health challenges and medical diagnoses (note: I intentionally choose not to use "illness" here) can often feel like an invisible battle — a struggle fought silently, yet deeply felt. Emotional experiences such as confusion, overwhelm, anger, determination, grit, and hope weave into the daily lives of individuals facing these challenges. Despite the hidden nature of these experiences, the impacts are profound, influencing not only those living with chronic conditions but also their caregivers and healthcare professionals. It’s time we bridge the gap between struggle, support, and advocacy. The Unseen Struggles of Chronic Health Conditions Chronic health conditions often don’t show...

Do you often feel paralyzed by your own high standards? Maybe you delay starting projects because you're waiting for everything to feel "just right," or you're overwhelmed trying to control every tiny detail. While perfectionism can sometimes fuel success, it often leads to anxiety, procrastination, and disconnection from true self-acceptance. If you find yourself caught in the perfectionist trap, you’re not alone. What Is Perfectionism Really About? Striving for perfection can seem admirable. Many people wear their perfectionism as a badge of honor, linking it to productivity, high achievements, and excellence. However, beneath the surface, perfectionism often brings emotional exhaustion, chronic stress, and a...

The Struggle: Society vs. Creativity Have you ever felt the pressure to “stay in the lines”? Society often rewards conformity while quietly discouraging creative freedom While structure has its place, this mindset can smother authentic self-expression. I remember painting a mural for a school play in the late ‘80s—armed with neon paints and inspiration from Brandy and Monica. Although it was just a backdrop, it lit me up. But when my teacher reacted with confusion rather than encouragement, I felt misunderstood. That moment stuck with me and made me question my instincts. It’s these subtle experiences that highlight the quiet tension between creativity and...

Many people on a healing journey reach a point where traditional talk therapy isn't enough. That was the case with one of my long-term clients—let’s call him Jax. After years of therapy, nervous system retraining (like DNRS and Gupta Program), health coaching, breathwork, and even cryotherapy, Jax would still say, “It just feels like there is something stored in my body that I can’t reach.” That feeling isn’t unusual. Trauma often lives not only in the mind but also in the nervous system. Somatic Experiencing® (SE), a body-based therapy, offers a powerful, holistic approach for releasing deeply held trauma by reconnecting...