by Heather Jurvelin | Sep 25, 2026 | Anger, Boundaries, Compassion Fatigue, Family Estrangement, Grieving, Relationships
After my sister texted me the real estate listing for my mom’s house, I texted back, “Well, at least now I know what Mom’s house looks like.” Mom had lived there for almost two years, but I’d never visited. Exhausted after 40 years of navigating a largely one-sided...
by Wendy Hoke | Sep 22, 2026 | Boundaries, Building Resilience in Healing, Childhood Sexual Abuse, CPTSD, Family Estrangement, Going No Contact
My 16 year old son went no-contact with his father, my ex, about 18 months ago. Since that time, he occasionally asks me a loaded question, such as “do you think I’m being cruel?” Knowing what his father did and is capable of doing, I have supported his decision....
by Ellen Tift | Aug 11, 2026 | Anxiety, Attachment Trauma, Betrayal, Building Resilience in Healing, Emotional Flashbacks, Emotional Wellness, Family Estrangement, Healing from Toxic Shame, Healing Self-Shame, Isolation, Narcissistic Abuse
Have you ever found yourself suddenly humiliated, yet forced to pretend otherwise in front of people? How covert narcissists intentionally do this to their targets while appearing perfectly innocent. I’m Embarrassed That I Exist Carter’s Story Carter had been...
by Elizabeth Akinniyi | Aug 7, 2026 | Codependency, Family Estrangement, Healing Codependency, Relationships, Self Care, Self-Acceptance
The Silence That Takes You Away From Yourself Countless African households teach their children, from a very young age, to refrain from speaking. Phrases like “Just keep quiet,” or “Don’t cause trouble” echo through our lives, passed down as wisdom from those who came...
by Alice Segell | Aug 5, 2026 | ACEs, Borderline Personality Disorder, Complex PTSD Healing, CPTSD and Inner Child Work, Family Estrangement, Going No Contact, Healthy Relationships, Isolation
I once dated a man with borderline personality disorder. At one point, he told me that it broke his heart to see what I was not, what I hadn’t become, how small my life was, how I had squandered my brains and looks. This unsolicited mourning of a fantastical me (a...
by Wendy Hoke | Jul 29, 2026 | Boundaries, Family Estrangement
Summer is coming, and the county fair will be a highlight as always. As a child, I enjoyed the Ferris wheel, the smell of kettle corn, and cinnamon buns. The Fun Zone delivered excitement with barkers calling us to games rigged just enough to keep us hooked –...
