Creating Joy in the Dark Winter Months

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Creating Joy in the Dark Winter Months

January and February can feel like they stretch on forever, especially if you’re navigating constant sickness, a string of canceled plans and disrupted New Year’s Resolutions, icy weather forecasts that keep you stuck inside, or post-holiday blues. Many people find this to be one of the toughest times of the year, which is why the third Monday in January is sometimes referred to as “Blue Monday.” For parents with young kids, this time of year can feel especially isolating, increasing the parenting load.

Cultivating joy and resiliency in the midst of these challenging months can be essential for getting through them without seeing a decline in your mental health. There are several mental shifts that you can make to increase joy in the midst of the struggle of these months. I’m going to share with you four mental strategies to support yourself and create joy.

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Breaking the Cycle of Negative Self-Talk

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Breaking the Cycle of Negative Self-Talk

We all have an inner voice — that little narrator that tends to make comments on our appearance, behaviors, skills, and overall worth. At times, that voice can be positive and uplifting. Other times, it can be judgmental and cruel.

This is what we consider to be negative self-talk. That critical inner conscious that focuses on what we are doing wrong rather than what we are doing right. It can cause guilt and shame. Although it may seem like “just thoughts,” it has the power to influence the way we act, feel, and connect to society.

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5 Therapy Myths Debunked

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5 Therapy Myths Debunked

“I don’t need therapy, I’m not broken.”

Sound familiar? As counselors, we hear this often, along with many other myths that may discourage individuals from taking that courageous first step toward starting their therapeutic journey.

The truth is, therapy is a strong tool for anyone seeking support, self-growth, rehabilitation, as well as to deepen their understanding of self. This can occur in various stages of one’s life, as the counselor’s goal is to meet the client where they are at.

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Recognizing Addiction: Warning Signs & How to Help

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Recognizing Addiction: Warning Signs & How to Help

What Is Addiction, Really?

Addiction isn’t always obvious. It can sneak into everyday habits—until it’s hard to tell routine from real trouble. Addiction isn’t just a bad habit—it’s a long-term condition that can take over, even when it’s clearly causing problems. It’s not about being weak or lazy. Addiction actually rewires the brain, making it super hard to quit without help. Here’s a bit of neuroscience 101. Ever heard of your brain’s reward system? It’s basically like a cheerleader with a megaphone. Every time you do something it likes—like eating chocolate or getting a hug—it shouts, “That felt good! Do it again!” It’s how we learn what brings us pleasure. But with addiction, that cheerleader starts cheering for the wrong things, way too loudly, way to often, and it becomes harder to tell what’s actually good for you.

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