Ivan

Relationship sabotage – Why You Sabotage Good Relationships Without Realizing It

Relationship sabotage – Why You Sabotage Good Relationships Without Realizing It Have you noticed a frustrating pattern in your relationships? Relationship sabotage. Perhaps things go well initially, but as connection deepens, you find yourself creating distance through criticism, starting arguments, becoming emotionally unavailable, or even ending relationships entirely—despite genuinely caring about the other person. If…

The Hidden Grief Behind High-Functioning Anxiety

The Hidden Grief Behind High-Functioning Anxiety Do you maintain a perfectly curated exterior life while internally running on the hamster wheel of worry? Anxiety. Perhaps you’re known for your competence and accomplishments, always appearing put-together despite the constant noise of anxiety in your mind. If you identify with this high-functioning anxiety—managing responsibilities well despite persistent…

How Your Nervous System Reacts to Love and Danger

How Your Nervous System Reacts to Love and Danger Have you ever wondered why you feel instantly at ease with certain people while others make you inexplicably tense, despite their outward friendliness? Nervous system or why your body sometimes reacts with alarm in situations your rational mind knows are safe? These experiences aren’t random or…

Interdependence – What ‘Being Too Independent’ Really Means

Interdependence – What ‘Being Too Independent’ Really Means Have you ever been told you’re “too independent” or that you “don’t let people in”? Interdependence. Perhaps you pride yourself on rarely needing help, handling challenges alone, or maintaining emotional self-sufficiency. While independence is generally celebrated in our culture, extreme self-reliance often masks deeper relational wounds that…

Emotional accessibility – If You’re Always the ‘Strong One’, This Is for You

Emotional accessibility – If You’re Always the ‘Strong One’, This Is for You Are you the person everyone turns to in a crisis? Emotional accessibility. The one who listens to others’ problems, offers support, and somehow manages everything with apparent ease? Do people often say, “You’re so strong” or “I don’t know how you do…

Conditional worth – When You Think You Have to Earn Love

Conditional worth – When You Think You Have to Earn Love Do you find yourself constantly striving to be “enough” for the people in your life? Conditional worth. Perhaps you believe that your worth depends on what you provide—your achievements, appearance, usefulness, or emotional support. Maybe you feel a persistent anxiety that if you stop…

Emotional depletion – You’re Not Lazy, You’re Emotionally Exhausted

Emotional depletion – You’re Not Lazy, You’re Emotionally Exhausted Do you berate yourself for not being more productive? Emotional depletion. Perhaps you have a growing list of tasks you can’t seem to start, goals you can’t pursue, or basic responsibilities that feel impossibly overwhelming. Society might label this as laziness or lack of discipline, but…

Emotional awareness – Why You Feel Empty (And What to Do About It)

Emotional awareness – Why You Feel Empty (And What to Do About It) Emotional awareness. Perhaps you move through life checking all the right boxes—career, relationships, achievements—yet still feel like something essential is missing. This emptiness isn’t a character flaw or simply “the human condition.” It’s a specific psychological experience with identifiable roots and, most…

How to Stop Being a People Pleaser Without Feeling Guilty

How to Stop Being a People Pleaser Without Feeling Guilty Do you find yourself saying yes when you really want to say no? Authentic needs. Constantly putting others’ needs before your own until you’re completely depleted? Perhaps you worry that setting boundaries might make you selfish, or that people won’t like you if you don’t…

If You Struggle with Self-Worth, Start Here

If You Struggle with Self-Worth, Start Here Self-Worth. Perhaps you dismiss compliments, minimize your achievements, or feel like an impostor despite external success. Maybe you believe you must constantly earn your place through productivity, people-pleasing, or perfection. These experiences reflect a struggle with self-worth—not just occasional self-doubt, but a pervasive sense that your inherent value…