Are you tied up in knots over your relationships? You may have slipped into codependent behaviors without realizing it. Maybe you’ve heard the term ‘codependency’ but really don’t know what it means or how it applies to your life. This blog outlines this concept and directs you towards additional resources on the topic. Break free of behaviors that have pulled you down and start living YOUR life!

January 27 is Holocaust Remembrance Day in the US; it commemorates the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This year, 2022, the day was marked with a Tennessee Board of Education banning an impactful book series, Maus, by Art Spiegelman. This post explores one of the most significant traumas ever experienced by humans—the Holocaust. Maus and Man’s Search for Meaning are pioneering works that guide us in understanding different reactions to trauma. Viktor Frankl provides strategies for how to cope with trauma, find meaning in suffering, and identify life purpose.

It seems fitting that with wanting to start fresh in the new year I’m drawn to a song about letting go of what holds us back. Ms. Badu sings about letting go of emotional baggage after a bad break up, but I’ll argue her lyrics could apply to letting go of any source of emotional upset: Covid stress, work stress, or torturous memories of past disappointments and stressors. Let’s take our advice from Ms. Badu who walks us through how to let go and move forward.

Should I stay or should I go? Not only a classic song by The Clash but a common question about relationships which often comes up in therapy. Relationships begin with hope, joy, excitement, and promise. For many, as a relationship or marriage develops over time, the relationship changes. Obligations and the daily grind may dull the sheen of courtship. Perhaps you are contending with something more serious—constant conflict, volatile arguments, abusive behavior, or betrayals of trust from lies, addictions, or infidelity. Maybe you’re starting to ask the tough question of whether it is worth remaining in the relationship or better to leave? This post will use lyrics from The Clash to enhance thoughts about this challenging topic.

Don’t have a way to take a vacation? Don’t despair. There is an alternative. You CAN take a Mental Health Day. A Mental Health Day is when you take a day all to yourself whether it is planned or unplanned to rest and recharge. This post talks about how you know when to take a Mental Health Day, how to spend the day with ideas for activities, and what to do with any guilt for taking a break.

Feeling depressed, down, tired, and hopeless? It may be depression. This post discusses symptoms of depression, the importance of seeking professional help to be sure of the diagnosis, and 5 steps you can take now to boost your mood. We take inspiration from the great Stevie Wonder and his song, As.

Are you struggling with feeling overwhelmed, worried, tense, and jittery? These symptoms could be an indicator that you are experiencing anxiety. Anxiety is a broad category to capture nervousness, worry, and fear. Under the umbrella of anxiety are several types. This post explores one of the best tools for coping with anxiety, breathing, and explains the science behind why breathing works for anxiety reduction.

How do you know when it is time to go to therapy? This post explores the difference between “life” and times when stress may require professional attention. How can you tell when stress, anxiety, and depression are too high? We explore key points about severity and functional impact using Mary J Blige’s song, Therapy, to guide the discussion. DSM-5 criteria for making diagnoses are also discussed.

AROSE e-Therapy & Life Design, is a huge fan of Alicia Keys, particularly for her musical talent including composition and songwriting. Read the blog post which is all about Superwomen claiming their power and worth and carrying on during difficult times.

Have you set a goal for the new year to clear clutter, get organized, and start fresh but haven’t quite gotten started? AROSE eTherapy & Life Design recommends, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston, which focuses on clearing out objects or people who are holding you back so you can begin anew. It's never too late to start no matter what time of year.

The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky is a book I love recommending. Read the review by AROSE eTherapy & Life Design to learn how to boost levels of happiness using gratitude.

The movie, the book, Liz Gilbert; who doesn’t love it all? We love opening the blog posts for AROSE e-Therapy & Life Design summarizing this story. Read here and get inspired for life change and life design!