All teens are balancing identity, social belonging, and a future they don’t see yet — but for those experiencing high tension, there usually is a fear attached to everything a teen “has to do right” but is afraid of “getting it wrong”— one exam, one missed assignment, one slip-up, one socially uncomfortable incident. This can feel like a dark cloud is always hovering over them, with no end in sight.

Many people tell me they feel like others expect them to “be happy” this time of year, even when their heart is heavy. That pressure alone can feel exhausting. “The most wonderful time of the year” is not most people’s truth.

In my work with couples, I often find that what we call “relationship issues” are actually personal struggles showing up between two people—patterns from the past, unspoken fears, or unmet emotional needs.

So when anxiety shows up, it’s not because something is “wrong” with you—it’s because your body is trying to get your attention. The goal is to create small shifts that help you feel more grounded and less overwhelmed.

Trauma isn’t just what happens to us—it’s also what happens inside us when we go through something painful, confusing, or overwhelming and don’t have the tools, support, or space to process it.

The truth: how you treat yourself sets the tone for everything else in your life. Self-compassion isn’t a trendy buzzword. It’s a necessary skill—especially in a world that constantly demands more, faster, better.

Suddenly, the foundation you thought was secure feels cracked, unstable, even unrecognizable. Whether the betrayal was emotional, physical, or digital (yes, DM flings count), the pain is real and personal.

Whether you’re in the early days of romance or celebrating decades together, these four essentials can help you and your partner stay deeply connected.

Wherever you are in life’s journey, anxiety is a natural emotion we all feel depending on life events. Even people who look like they have it all together experience anxiety.

It's one of the deepest pains we experience as humans, and understandably, it ripples through every part of our lives, including our relationships.