In the age of social media, self-absorption is routinely mistaken for self-knowledge, and a culture that indulges this confusion turns even the language meant for healing into weapons of solipsism. Language that clarifies our inner lives is now being flaunted by people who cannot distinguish a genuine boundary from mere discomfort. To hold the scalpel is not to understand the incision; to speak the words is not to inhabit their meaning.
When a parent tucks their child into bed and kisses them goodnight, they expect to find them still sleeping soundly in the same spot when morning comes. A home is supposed to be the safest place a child can be, shielded from the dangers of the outside world. But that was not the case for six-year-old Becky Kunash.
It is one of my hasty mornings: rushing out of the shower, dressing half-wet, and chasing the clock as if punctuality could redeem the day. I didn't bother to check how much was left on my transport card. Surely enough, I thought, at least three figures. The machine disagrees. The red light blinks its verdict: insufficient. The buzz is annoying, but it's no longer an embarrassment. I don't take it personally.
Marijuana is one of the most popular psychotropic substances used in the United States. In 2019, approximately 18% of Americans reported using marijuana at least once, and one in five teens between the ages of 13 and 17 said they frequently used marijuana (Oladunjoye et al. 2023). Due to the varied age groups partaking in marijuana, the usage of the substance can range from recreational use to medicinal purposes.
While she does shine, she is still abusing herself emotionally, professionally, and spiritually. She is at the beginning of her journey of self-growth, and through connection, warmth, and optimism, she’s the light of people’s hearts. But this is only the beginning, as she is discovering who she wants to be.
This article explores self-directed harm not as pathology, but as the internalized echo of abuse. Only through listening to this echo closely can we understand why healing is not about ‘fixing’ something broken, but about learning to speak in a different tongue rather than the language of pain that has been handed over to us.
Child Abuse is a global problem that has profound and lasting consequences for a child’s physical and psychological well-being. Child Abuse can take many forms, including neglect, physical violence, Verbal Abuse, and Sexual Abuse.
Look closely at the next crowd you encounter. What you see isn't just a collection of strangers; it's a dense forest of individual worlds, each one hiding a lifetime's worth of battles and secrets. Though the faces may seem similar, each journey is different. Each carries the burdens of life. From professionals to caregivers, to people-pleasers, these are the faces of Smiling Depression.
For Survivors of abuse, Equine-Assisted Therapy can offer deep emotional healing in a safe, unbiased, and accepting environment. Where abuse and trauma can cause a mistrust of the world around, a herd animal, like horses that are attuned to non-verbal cues and emotions, can provide calming and non-biased feedback, helping Survivors find a safe place to confide and heal.
A boundary is a limit or guideline you set for yourself to define what you will and will not accept. They clearly communicate when, how, and to whom we give our time, energy, and power (Sanok, 2002). Boundaries form the foundation for self-care, mutual respect, and expectations, which are essential for building and sustaining healthy relationships with ourselves and others.
