Mental Health & Self-Care

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects far more than hormones, cycles, or fertility. For many individuals, PCOS quietly reshapes how they see themselves. Changes in weight, skin, hair, energy, mood, and reproductive health can slowly erode self-esteem and create a complicated relationship with the body. Clients often share that PCOS made them feel disconnected from who they used to be or who they thought they would become. Others describe feeling betrayed by their body, ashamed of

One of the most frustrating parts of living with PCOS is hearing conflicting information. One person struggles with weight and insulin resistance. Another has irregular periods but no metabolic concerns. Someone else was diagnosed only after fertility challenges. All of these experiences can be PCOS. PCOS is not a single presentation. It is a spectrum. Understanding PCOS phenotypes can help explain why symptoms vary so widely and why comparison often leads to confusion, self-

PCOS Is More Than a Reproductive Condition Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, is often discussed only in the context of fertility. Many people are first introduced to PCOS when periods are irregular or pregnancy is difficult. While fertility can be impacted, PCOS is not just a reproductive disorder. PCOS is a complex endocrine, metabolic, and mental health condition that affects the entire body and nervous system. Hormones, blood sugar regulation, energy level

The Rise of Shame Culture and Why It Matters Shame culture is not new, but it has become louder, more pervasive, and more socially acceptable, especially online. I see it in comment sections, in therapy rooms, in medical offices, and increasingly in spaces that are supposed to be supportive. Shame often disguises itself as advice, truth telling, or “just being honest.” It can be subtle, unintentional, and deeply harmful. I hear it in phrases like, “I don’t understand how some

Have you ever been stuck in indecisiveness to the point where you just let whatever happens, happen? You’re not alone. Many of us have experienced those moments when decisions feel so heavy, or so overwhelming, that the easiest thing to do is nothing at all. There’s a phrase you may have heard before: “No choice is still a choice.” Versions of this idea have shown up in philosophy, psychology, and even pop culture over time. The point is the same: when you don’t actively deci

Grief is messy, unpredictable, and often misunderstood. Society has expectations about how long it should last, how it should look, and how we should “move on.” But grief doesn’t follow a schedule, and it doesn’t care about anyone’s timeline. As Megan Devine reminds us in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, grief is not a problem to fix, it is a process to live through. Often, loved ones mean well when they say things like: “It’s time to move on.” “At least you had [X].” “You need to b

René Descartes once wrote, “I think, therefore I am.”  It’s a phrase most of us have heard, but it carries so much weight when it comes to mental health. What we think shapes what we see. And what we see, we come to believe as truth. Take for example the thought: “I am a failure.” When that thought takes over, it’s like putting a filter on a camera and locking the zoom lens on one small detail. Suddenly, every part of the picture seems to confirm the belief. A mistake at work

Anxiety can feel cruel. The more we try to push it away, the stronger its grip becomes. We think we’re controlling it by shoving it down, but in reality, we’re handing it power over us. Think of it like this: suppressing feelings is like pushing a rubber duck under water. The duck is your anxiety. At first, you might manage with one arm, holding it down so no one sees. But over time, your arm gets tired. You start using two arms, straining to keep it submerged. Eventually, yo

Just one spoon left. Some days, even that feels like too much. Have you ever woken up and felt like there is too much to do, and the things you are able to do with take up all of your energy? Do you feel like no one understands when you don't have the energy to do something like reply to a text from 3 days ago, to take a shower, to do the dishes, to go out and socialize with your best friend? It is like everything is too much. Let me start off by saying that you aren't lazy,