How many times have you been told to live authentically? From social media, to commercials, to advice from a friend or family member, the idea of authenticity seems to be everywhere. But an explanation of what this actually means, or how to be authentic, is oddly absent. Many people interpret this demand as saying whatever…
There can be a lot of pressure to know exactly who you are. We are often asked to put words to our identity: Are you gay, straight, bisexual, queer? Are you transgender, nonbinary, or cisgender? What pronouns do you use? For some people, those answers come easily, while for others, figuring them out can take…
Often, when beginning the healing process, we are told to accept the very things that have deeply hurt us. I personally have found that this can feel invalidating and confusing, making it difficult to engage with the healing process. As a result, we often return to avoiding the pain. Unfortunately, while avoidance may bring relief…