When was the last time you truly laughed? Children laugh hundreds of times each day—often over the simplest things. Adults? Not nearly as often. As we grow older, life becomes more complicated. Daily responsibilities, work, caregiving, financial concerns, illness, grief, and countless other obligations can gradually steal our joy if we let them. Add to…
Articles by margaret
Self-Respect Isn’t Selfish
“I feel guilty even thinking about myself.” If you’ve ever found yourself feeling guilty for saying no, taking a day for yourself, or simply acknowledging that you have needs too, you’re not alone. Over the years, I have heard some version of that sentence from many clients. They believe that saying no, taking care of…
The Stories We Carry from Childhood
Our childhood experiences often shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us. The messages we receive, the relationships we have, and the environments in which we grow up can influence how we respond to life’s challenges well into adulthood. While our childhood plays an important role in who we become, it does…
What Are We Missing While We’re Scrolling?
Many people seek therapy due to anxiety, depression, stress, difficulty coping, or lack of sleep. Often, one of the first areas we explore is sleep. What surprises many clients is how frequently poor sleep is connected to habits that seem harmless, including late-night scrolling on social media. It can be helpful to examine some of…
Learning to Trust Yourself Again
I’ve spoken with many intelligent, competent people who, for one reason or another, trust almost everyone else’s opinions more than their own. They seek reassurance from friends, family members, partners, coworkers, or even strangers before making decisions, often second-guessing themselves along the way. There are many reasons this can happen. Some people were conditioned from…
When We Settle for Less Than We Deserve
It is not uncommon for people who appear confident and successful in one area of their lives to struggle with insecurity and self-doubt in another. The world may see someone as polished, capable, articulate, and accomplished, while internally that same person feels unseen, uncertain, or quietly lacking confidence in their own worth and judgment. How…
Therapy Is Not Only for Moments of Crisis
Some people avoid therapy because they feel their problems or concerns are not serious enough to warrant reaching out for help. Many minimize what they are experiencing, telling themselves that other people “have it worse” or that they should simply handle things on their own. The truth is that, at times, most of us benefit…
What Relaxation Looks Like May Differ for Everyone
Relaxation is not one-size-fits-all. For some people, relaxation may mean sitting quietly, listening to music, taking a nap, or simply slowing down. For others, relaxation may involve movement, creativity, or doing something that shifts them away from the responsibilities and routines of everyday life. People have different energy levels, personalities, and emotional needs. Some individuals…
Feeling Exhaustion from Always Being the Strong One
I talk with many strong, independent women. Some were conditioned from an early age to take charge. Often, they were expected to care for younger siblings, manage household responsibilities, help with financial stress, or step into adult roles too soon due to dysfunctional family dynamics, absent parents, neglect, or instability within the home. In some…
Moving Forward After Difficult Experiences
At different points in life, many people encounter individuals or situations that are deeply challenging. These experiences can come in many forms — difficult relationships, stressful circumstances, health concerns, financial strain, or environments that feel emotionally draining. In the moment, the impact can be significant. People may feel overwhelmed, hurt, or even physically unwell as…