How to Keep a Friend – Managing Conflict

Conflict panics me. Okay? There…I said it. I am the first to run for cover at the smell of conflict. Why? Because childhood trauma taught me to confuse the two. To me, having a conflict with someone means trauma. And so…avoiding conflict becomes the goal...
Scapegoated!

Scapegoated!

Scapegoated!  (as published in The Friday Edition of HeartBalm Healing at https://heartbalm.substack.com) For the adult who blames themselves – who see things go wrong around them and perceives the familiar feelings of self-blame, guilt, shame, and “it’s my fault”...
5 Tips for When Trauma Makes You Clumsy

5 Tips for When Trauma Makes You Clumsy

This article was originally published on The Mighty, on March 24th, 2022 I am a champion face-planter. I am also highly skilled at tripping over nothing, walking into door frames, and tipping things over. This illustrious title hasn’t won me any medals, rather the...
It Turns Out Mind-Body Connection Isn’t All Just Nonsense

It Turns Out Mind-Body Connection Isn’t All Just Nonsense

  I have lived most of my life thinking that deep breathing (and all its cousins) were something people had, collectively agreed to B.S. about. Not because they were being malicious, but due to some sort of worldwide agreed-upon fiction. Matching your breath to...