The Boys of Winter
(Photo by Jenni Brennan of Changing Perspectives) Here in Massachusetts, it is Football season. Yes, despite it being March and still technically winter, Covid-19 pushed our favorite fall sport to this month. Ever since my high schooler picked up his football equipment last week, Kenny Chesney's "Boys of Fall" has been soundtrack to my life.
Read full storyI Remember 2020 A Bit Different
(Photo by Jenni Brennan of Changing Perspectives) All around me this week people are sharing their posts from a year ago - posts from when our lives as we knew them came to screeching halt.
Read full story7 Amazing Products To Help You Manage Anxiety
(Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels) As a therapist, I talk with patients every day about developing coping tools and strategies to help them better manage anxiety. Things like deep breathing, challenging faulty thinking, and building self care stragegies are often what we focus on in sessions but there are some products that are widely available via online in in person retailers that people should also consider adding to their anxiet tool kit.
Read full story540 Days: Navigating Middle School
(Photo Credit: tigerlily713 on Pixabay) Just a few short years ago, I found myself somewhere in the middle of a long bridge between childhood and adolescence. I was longingly looking back towards the childhood side yet hopeful as I moved apprehensively towards the adolescence side.
Read full storyTogether in the Arena
There are times in everyone’s lives when the bad stuff hits. (Photo Credit: johnhain on Pixabay) Sometimes the bad stuff hits all at once. Sometimes the bad stuff hits gradually over time. Sometimes the hits are so bad that you don’t feel like getting out of bed, leaving your house, or answering your phone. Sometimes the bad stuff makes you turn inward. Sometimes it makes you implode on yourself. Sometimes it makes you explode on others. No matter how you react to the bad stuff, one thing is shared — the bad stuff exists for all of us at some point in our lives.
Read full storyA New Season Has Arrived In Massachusetts And It’s Not What You Think It Is
(Photo Credit: freestocks.org on Pexels) This February in Massachusetts can best be described by one word: winter. But, despite the frigid temperatures and several inches of snow that have covered most Massachusetts lawns this month, this week marks the start of Fall.
Read full storyCan We Be Real For A Minute?
(Photo Credit: Jenni Brennan on Changing Perspectives) Because I think we all need to be more real with each other. If you’re going to post that perfect selfie, at least sometimes post the ones that make you feel like a troll.
Read full story9 Steps To Open Your Own Private Therapy Practice Business
(Photo Credit: Pexels on Pixabay) If you are a therapist, counselor or psychotherapist thinking about starting your own private practice, your head is probably filled with many questions:
Read full storyHow to Build Your Confidence: Life Lessons From Baseball
(Photo Credit: Cindydangerjones on Pixabay) As I was listening to my sons tell me all about their impromptu baseball practice session at the field the other day, critiquing each other’s stance, swing and follow through, I realized that life is a lot like getting up to bat in baseball.
Read full storyTop 10 Reasons Why We All Need A Mom (or Dad) Squad
(Photo credit: Keithjj on Pixabay) Right now parents all over the country are finding themselves straddling two sports seasons. Playoff games for one sport are happening right alongside tryouts for another sport. Add in practices and regular season games that still have to be made up due to covid and snow cancellations and parents right now are busy - busier than we've been in almost a whole year.
Read full storyFive Free or Low Cost February Vacation Ideas South of Boston
(Photo Credit: aiky82 on Pixabay) That time of year has arrived! It’s February vacation week for schools all across Massachusetts. While most years may find Massachusetts residents hopping on a plane and jetting to a sunny locale or piling in the car for a trip for warmer states, this year’s February vacation may look very different for many families.
Read full storyTop 6 Ways To Use Essential Oils In Your Home
(Photo by moniore on Pixabay) A few years ago, the words "essential oils" made most of us run the other way. Surely someone was trying to sell us something. But, after finally giving them a try myself, I can say that they do have many benefits and are now a common staple in my home. If you are anything like I was a couple of years ago,though, you likely are overwhelmed and confused by all of the essential oil options and uses today. Here are the top 6 ways my family uses essential oils in our home:
Read full storyCelebrating Valentine’s Day South of Boston
Do you remember how you spent Valentine’s Day 2020? Covid was but a blip on our radar way back then and we could plan pretty much anything we wanted. Now one year later, an opportunity to reconnect with our romantic partners seems more important than ever - especially for those of us in Massachusetts where we are deep into the long cold winter.
Read full storyIgloo Dining Options This Winter Without Commuting To Boston
(Photo by Candid_Shots on Pixabay) If you live in Massachusetts, you know that dining outdoors right now isn't an easy task. With snow everywhere and the air temperatures below freezing, the thought of sitting outdoors to enjoy a meal sounds nothing short of dreadful. Normally this time of year my husband and I move our date nights from the outdoor al fresco patios of our favorite restaurants to inside where it is warm and cozy. But, with COVID restrictions in place around restaurant capacity, length of time at a table, mask wearing, and party size limitations, even eating indoors has become a challenge this season.
Read full storyThe Price Of Friendship: Sometimes It Costs Too Much To Be My Friend
(Photo by stocksnap on Pixabay) That was the message I received the other day, before I had even left my bed. I had decided to take a few minutes to read through my social media pages before officially starting my day. As I laid there groggily scrolling through my friends’ updates, I came across an article on friendship. Without a moment’s hesitation, I opened the article.
Read full storyI'm One of the Lucky Ones But I'm Still Struggling
(Photo by coyot on Pixabay) “I’m one of the lucky ones,” I remind myself as I start yet another day at my kitchen table, the place where I now can be found trying my hardest to balance the responsibilities of working from home with parenting two children and attempting to serve as their substitute teacher. Any given morning now finds me tackling clinical documentation and billing for my private therapy practice while helping my 14 year old muddle his way through assignments for 8 different subjects in a now completely digital learning environment while also debating the usefulness of responding to a journal prompt about an abandoned fort with my 5th grader.
Read full storyDo Side Parts and Skinny Jeans Really Make Us Old?
(Photo by travelsourced of Pixabay) My 10 year old niece wrinkled her nose disapprovingly at me across my kitchen island. Clearly she was not a fan of the new center part in my hair.
Read full storyWinter Weather Means Winter Fun For Massachusetts Residents This Week
(photo by 12019 on Pixabay) February is always an interesting month in Massachusetts. It could be one filled with blizzard after blizzard after blizzard or one filled with no snow at all. It could be one were the town 10 minutes away from you gets 15 inches of snow while you get only a dusting. It could be so cold that it's not safe to be outside for more than a few minutes at a time or it could be so warm that the only precipitation that falls is rain.
Read full storyManaging Children's Anxieties Around Covid-19
(photo by Couleur of Pixabay) Everywhere we look right now we hear and see the same few words over and over again. Locations in the US are declaring states of emergencies and canceling large group events such as sports games, parades, and concerts. Colleges and universities are telling their students to not bother returning from spring break as they attempt to move all their remaining classes to an online platform. Schools are closing for days at a time to deep clean and sanitize their facilities. Employers are urging their workers to work from home when able.
Read full storyCan We Do Better With Youth Sports?
(photo by ruthclark of Pixabay) “What are you, 14? You have no business being an ump!”. “I’ll be in a nursing home before you make a play.”. Shouting insults to the coaches. Swearing. Tension in the stands. Intoxicated fans.
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