Caring deeply is a strength. But when caring turns into carrying, the load becomes too heavy. By learning to set boundaries, step back when needed, and focus on your own wellbeing, you can support others from a place of balance rather than burnout.

Remember: you are not responsible for fixing everyone else’s life. It’s enough to offer kindness, compassion, and presence—without losing yourself in the process.

Clutter and anxiety are deeply connected, but the good news is that small changes in your environment can have a powerful impact on how you feel. By taking manageable steps, practicing self-compassion, and seeking support when needed, you can shift from feeling weighed down to feeling lighter and calmer in your own space.

Remember: charm can be intoxicating, but control should never be overlooked. If you notice the slow burn of covert narcissism in a relationship, trusting your instincts and seeking support is essential. Whether it’s through counselling, supportive friendships, or online resources, taking steps to protect your emotional wellbeing is the ultimate act of self-care.

The question “Did I do the right thing?” is rarely answered with a neat yes or no. More often, the truth sits in the complexity: you made the best choice you could, with the love and knowledge you had at the time.

Your guilt is not evidence of failure—it’s evidence of love. With time, compassion, and support, that love can become a source of comfort rather than pain.

Depression is heavy – and shame convinces us we have to carry it alone. Reaching out, however, can begin to break the cycle. Speaking with a counsellor gives space to unpack the guilt, shame, and spirals that feel overwhelming at night.

Saying “I’m fine” may feel easier in the moment, but every time you silence your truth, you reinforce the walls around your pain. By allowing yourself small acts of honesty, you take steps out of survival mode and into a life that feels fuller, more connected, and genuinely yours.

High-functioning anxiety thrives in silence. The myth of “having it all together” might keep you looking fine on the outside, but it doesn’t bring peace within. Recognising the gap between the mask and the reality is the first step toward change.

When you’ve been in a relationship with a narcissist—whether romantic, familial, or professional—one of the deepest wounds left behind isn’t always visible. It’s not just the arguments, the gaslighting, or the erosion of confidence. It’s the subtle but profound disconnection from your own inner voice—your intuition.

Sometimes, the loss of a pet can awaken other unprocessed grief - such as the death of a loved one or a major life change. If your emotions feel “bigger” than the situation seems to warrant, there may be more beneath the surface. That’s okay. Our minds don’t compartmentalise grief the way we want them to.

If you’ve been performing okay-ness for so long you’re not even sure how you really feel, you’re not alone. Masking depression is often a learned survival strategy. It makes sense. But survival mode isn’t meant to be permanent.

Doing can be comforting. It gives you something to focus on, to control. But it’s not the same as healing, and it’s certainly not the only measure of your worth.

Anxiety doesn’t need to run the show. If your thoughts feel overwhelming or you’re struggling to function in daily life, professional support can help. At The Counselher, our therapists are experienced in helping people untangle anxious thought patterns and build a life based on clarity, not fear.

Narcissistic abuse might not leave bruises, but it leaves deep psychological scars. Just because it doesn’t look like the abuse we’re taught to recognise doesn’t mean it’s any less real or damaging.

You deserve clarity. You deserve to be heard. And most of all, you deserve healing.

Every time you say no to something that drains you, you say yes to your mental health. Your time, energy, and emotional wellbeing are finite. You don’t owe them to everyone who asks.

Boundaries aren’t selfish - they’re essential. They are the foundation of healthy relationships, sustainable ambition, and a calmer nervous system.

The next time that voice creeps in - the one that says you don’t belong - pause and consider this: imposters don’t feel imposter syndrome. Only capable, self-aware, intelligent people do.

Maybe you stayed too long. Maybe you left too soon. Maybe you’ll never know. What matters is: you’re here now. You made a decision that prioritised your long-term wellbeing, even if it broke your heart.

It's easy to forget that while your loved one is going through something difficult, so are you. You might be holding it all together on the outside - but internally, you’re carrying a massive emotional weight.

You don’t have to carry it alone.

Anger can feel like it comes out of nowhere - heart pounding, fists clenched, breath shallow. But behind this powerful emotion lies a complex series of neurological and physiological processes designed to protect us.

Stress and anxiety are not personal failures. They are signs that something in your life, body or mind needs care and attention.

You don’t have to grit your teeth through it or pretend everything’s fine. You can choose a different way—one that centres calm, clarity, and connection.

You don’t have to “fix” yourself to be worthy. You don’t need another qualification, more experience, or a gold star to belong.

You are allowed to take up space, make bold choices, and be seen - not in spite of your doubts, but alongside them.