He sat at the wooden bar, staring at the amber liquid in his glass. Two missed calls from Mike glowed on his phone. Three months had passed since they’d spoken. It was his oldest friendship. Twenty years. He thought about […]
Dating - Marriage - Monica Dean - Relationships
When My Love Language Doesn’t Speak Your Alphabet
Been pondering something lately while chatting with women at my favorite corner café in Chorlton. ☕ It’s fascinating how differently we interpret affection based on our upbringing. Last week, I sat with two friends – both bright, accomplished women about […]
Families - Melanie Doss
When My Emotional Needs Became Optional to Others
POV: You’re literally sobbing in the backseat on what should be the happiest day of high school because your mom “forgot” the one thing you asked for—again. 😢 The orchid lei wasn’t just a pretty accessory; it was the last […]
Christian Perspective - Marriage - Samuel Hartwell
When Longing Turns to Lament: My Journey to Finding God in the Darkness of Unmet Desire
The darkness had settled in her bones like an old friend. It wasn’t dramatic—no cinematic collapse or tear-stained confessions. Just the slow, steady drip of hope leaking away, leaving behind an empty vessel where dreams once lived. She stared at […]
Christian Perspective - Samuel Hartwell
When I Feel Betrayed: My Journey to Healing and Rebuilding Trust
“The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.” – Proverbs 14:10 In the darkness of her bedroom, Emily stared at the ceiling, the soft blue light of her phone illuminating her face as she scrolled through […]
Monica Dean - Relationships
When I Fight About Moving, It’s Not Actually About the Location
Yesterday, I watched a couple at the coffee shop having what they thought was a whisper-fight about moving to Portland. He insisted it would solve everything. She clutched her latte like it contained her hometown’s entire social support network. Neither […]
Families - Monica Dean
Why I’ve Learned to Stop Calling Self-Care Selfish
The other day in my counselling office, a woman walked in looking absolutely shattered. She’d just found out her fiancé had been cheating with her best friend, and two weeks later, his adult son was getting married. The son—who she’d […]
Depression - Jas Mendola
I’ve Seen the Darkness That Comes with Being a Man
He sat in my office, staring at the carpet. Twenty years old, shoulders hunched, as if carrying the weight of decades. “I don’t see the point anymore,” he said flatly. “Nothing interests me. Nothing changes. I wake up, exist, sleep. […]
Dating - Sophia Rivera
I’m Falling for the Dating App Illusion: Here’s What I’m Really Getting Into
Why Your Dating Profile Is a Beautiful Lie 🎭 Research consistently shows that nearly everyone engages in some form of deception on dating apps. This isn’t necessarily malicious—it’s a natural extension of how emotional bytes work. Our brains construct simplified […]
ADHD - Melanie Doss
I’m Not Lazy, I’m Just Wired Differently
When “Gifted But Lazy” Actually Means Neurodivergent 🧠 It’s 3 AM. You’re scrolling through a Twitter thread about school experiences when you see it—a post that describes your entire academic career. “Smart but doesn’t apply themselves.” “Potential, but lacks focus.” […]