Why “Self-Care” Feels Like Another Chore on Your To-Do List
Rebekah Charles, MS, MHC - Intern Rebekah Charles, MS, MHC - Intern

Why “Self-Care” Feels Like Another Chore on Your To-Do List

If self-care feels like another task on your to-do list, then it may be a sign that you are already carrying too much. Self-care is not about adding pressure to yourself, but it is about reducing it. It is not about earning a reward to rest, but it is about allowing yourself to be human and understanding that your emotional and mental well-being matters too.

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The "Start Button" Is Broken: Why You Can’t Just "Do the Thing"
Alexis J.S. Sturnick Alexis J.S. Sturnick

The "Start Button" Is Broken: Why You Can’t Just "Do the Thing"

You are sitting on the couch staring at a sink full of dishes or a blinking cursor on a screen. You have the time. You have the tools. You even have the desire to get it done so you can finally relax. But you can’t move.

To an outsider, it looks like laziness. To you, it feels like an invisible, physical barrier.

In therapy, we call this a failure of task initiation. It is a core pillar of executive dysfunction, and it is a technical glitch in your brain’s "air traffic control" system. If you are struggling with this, it is not a lack of character. It is a biological reality.

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Quiet Burnout: The 2026 Trend Nobody Is Talking About
Alexis J.S. Sturnick Alexis J.S. Sturnick

Quiet Burnout: The 2026 Trend Nobody Is Talking About

In 2026, we are living through what researchers call a "supercycle of change" (McQuaid, 2025). Between economic volatility, the rapid disruption of artificial intelligence, and global social tensions, our nervous systems are being asked to process an unprecedented amount of fear, uncertainty, and doubt.

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Why You Stay Up Until 2 AM Even When You’re Exhausted
Alexis J.S. Sturnick Alexis J.S. Sturnick

Why You Stay Up Until 2 AM Even When You’re Exhausted

It’s 11:30 PM. Your eyes are burning. You have been yawning since dinner. You know you have a 7:00 AM alarm waiting to ruin your life. And yet, you are still on the couch. If you are a high-functioning professional, a burnt-out parent, or someone with an ADHD brain that won’t shut off, you aren’t just 'bad at sleeping.' You are likely engaging in something psychologists call Revenge Bedtime Procrastination.

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Are You Your Own Worst Critic? Understanding the Origin of High Self-Expectations
Samantha Sundborg, MSW Samantha Sundborg, MSW

Are You Your Own Worst Critic? Understanding the Origin of High Self-Expectations

That relentless push for perfection, the constant feeling that what you delivered wasn't quite good enough, or the sheer exhaustion from holding yourself to a standard no one else could possibly meet. This is the hallmark of the Self-Critical Perfectionist. If you constantly set the bar impossibly high for yourself, it’s time to ask: Why am I my own toughest judge?

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What Is a Quarter Life Crisis? (And How to Get Through It)
Robert Lynch, LMHC Robert Lynch, LMHC

What Is a Quarter Life Crisis? (And How to Get Through It)

"Parents and society often expect you to be settled in a career, own property, and be in a committed relationship… all by age 30. The pressure to have it all figured out, right now, is crushing. It’s no wonder you feel stuck, anxious, or completely burnt out. This isn't a personal failing. It’s a very real, very modern setup for feeling like you're already behind."

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Sober, But Still Struggling? The Missing Piece in Addiction Recovery
Josephine Mansergh-Johnson, MA, MHC-LP, MBACP Josephine Mansergh-Johnson, MA, MHC-LP, MBACP

Sober, But Still Struggling? The Missing Piece in Addiction Recovery

There is a painful and confusing phenomenon that isn't discussed enough in recovery circles: people in recovery who suddenly become suicidal, develop a new mental health disorder, or experience a return to use. We also see countless others who, despite their best efforts, struggle to stop or reduce their use in the first place.

This is often framed as the nature of a "chronic relapsing disease." I believe it's connected to a more profound truth: we are not conceptualizing addiction holistically. When these struggles happen, it's not because the person’s disorder is “treatment-resistant” or “they haven’t tried hard enough.” It's because a crucial piece of the puzzle is missing. In my work, I've come to see that for many, recovery requires two distinct, parallel journeys:
Addiction Recovery: Dealing with the substance or compulsive behaviors.

Trauma Recovery: Dealing with the origins of the pain.

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Stop Minimizing It: The Cost of “I’m Fine” Culture
Alexis J.S. Sturnick Alexis J.S. Sturnick

Stop Minimizing It: The Cost of “I’m Fine” Culture

Most of us have said it more times than we can count: I’m fine. But when those words become automatic, they often mask exhaustion and disconnection. This post explores why minimizing emotions once felt safe, how it drains your mental health today, and how therapy can help you reconnect with what you truly need.

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Understanding Addiction: A Guide for Significant Others
Alexis J.S. Sturnick Alexis J.S. Sturnick

Understanding Addiction: A Guide for Significant Others

Working closely with individuals affected by addiction, I often focus on the significant others who find themselves entangled in the complexities of this journey. Loving someone with an addiction can be a bewildering and heartbreaking experience. It's a path where the brilliance, creativity, and love of the person you cherish can be overshadowed by the destructive patterns driven by their relationship with substance use or other compulsive behaviors.

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Navigating Life's Transitions: Embracing Change and Growth
Alexis J.S. Sturnick Alexis J.S. Sturnick

Navigating Life's Transitions: Embracing Change and Growth

The truth is, transitions are where we often meet ourselves most honestly. They force reflection. They require courage. And they remind us that it’s okay to not have it all figured out. You’re not behind. You’re just becoming. Embracing this mindset can help us navigate these changes with resilience and optimism.

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Why Being a Therapist Is a Real Job: Reflections from the Couch
Alexis J.S. Sturnick Alexis J.S. Sturnick

Why Being a Therapist Is a Real Job: Reflections from the Couch

As a millennial psychotherapist at Resilience Therapy, I often navigate challenges that extend far beyond the therapy room. While our society is increasingly open to mental health conversations, there persists a misconception that therapy—and the professionals who provide it—aren't engaged in "real" work. Let me be clear: my clients are my absolute priority, and I'm committed to showing up fully for each person who trusts me with their mental health journey. Today, I want to share some candid reflections on the realities of therapeutic work, and why the boundaries, schedules, and financial aspects of this profession aren't just valid—they're essential.


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Navigating Love and Independence in Your Early Thirties
Lauren Milo, LMHC Lauren Milo, LMHC

Navigating Love and Independence in Your Early Thirties

If you’ve experienced independence in your early thirties you know that the path here may have been paved with a mix of good intentions and a simmering level of resentment or frustration. From “you’ll meet them when you’re not looking” to “your cousin met their partner on Hinge,” friends, family and even random strangers may have given you their two cents about where to find love and perhaps, why you haven’t found it yet. They seemed to suggest that while your achievements are impressive, opening your heart to love could bring even more fulfillment.

These statements, whether they are well meaning or subtly critical, can leave a mark on how we feel about ourselves especially in the highly vulnerable area of interpersonal dynamics. With all of this external messaging, how do we begin to figure out what it is that we’re looking for in partnership and what type of person we’re trying to attract?

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The Perfectionism Paradox: When High Achievement Masks ADHD in Professional Women
Alexis J.S. Sturnick Alexis J.S. Sturnick

The Perfectionism Paradox: When High Achievement Masks ADHD in Professional Women

Picture this: Your Google calendar is color-coded to perfection. Your desk looks Instagram-worthy. Your reputation at work? The one who "has it all together." But behind that carefully curated exterior, you're exhausted from the constant mental gymnastics it takes to maintain this image.

If you're nodding right now, you're not alone. What looks like high-functioning perfectionism might (keyword, MIGHT) actually be something deeper: undiagnosed ADHD. Recent research reveals that women often navigate years or even decades without appropriate support or understanding (Kelly et al., 2024).

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Beyond ‘Anxious’ and ‘Avoidant’: Understanding Attachment in Real Life
Lauren Milo, LMHC Lauren Milo, LMHC

Beyond ‘Anxious’ and ‘Avoidant’: Understanding Attachment in Real Life

It’s no secret that attachment theory is inviting. The idea that one’s childhood could explain the way we find love in partnership appeals to the masses because of its linear approach to connection. Words like anxious or avoidant can be thrown out easily, especially in social media to explain how a partner acts or perhaps, why they don’t act the way we’d like them to

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Dating App Burnout: Protecting Your Mental Health in the Digital Dating World
Alexis J.S. Sturnick Alexis J.S. Sturnick

Dating App Burnout: Protecting Your Mental Health in the Digital Dating World

What's particularly interesting about 2025 is that they're seeing a significant shift in how people, especially women, approach digital dating. Nearly two-thirds of women report being more honest with themselves and refusing to compromise on their needs. This isn't just about having high standards—it's about recognizing your worth in a landscape that can sometimes feel overwhelming.

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Rethinking Our Relationship with Alcohol: A Compassionate Conversation for 2025
Alexis J.S. Sturnick Alexis J.S. Sturnick

Rethinking Our Relationship with Alcohol: A Compassionate Conversation for 2025

In 2025, the conversation about alcohol is evolving beyond simple labels of 'drinking' or 'not drinking.' With new health findings from the Surgeon General and growing cultural awareness, many are questioning their relationship with alcohol. This isn't about judgment or rigid rules - it's about understanding our choices and finding authentic ways to navigate a drinking-positive culture. Explore how to balance health awareness with self-compassion, understand common drinking patterns, and create meaningful changes that align with your personal wellbeing. Whether you're sober-curious, cutting back, or simply becoming more aware, this thoughtful guide offers practical insights for your unique journey.

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Home for the Holidays: Navigating Family Dynamics in Tense Times
Alexis J.S. Sturnick Alexis J.S. Sturnick

Home for the Holidays: Navigating Family Dynamics in Tense Times

Let's be real - going home for the holidays can be a mixed bag. Sure, there's the comfort of familiar faces and maybe some phenomenal home cooking. But for many of us, it also means stepping into a minefield of family dynamics, differing values, and this year, the added spice of rising political tensions. Fun times, right? … Hear us loudly when we say: Your feelings are valid, whatever they may be.

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