Untamed Journey Insights

Decluttering for the New Year This time of year, I love doing a massive, room-by-room purge of my home. There’s something deeply refreshing about starting the new year with a clean, organized space, free from the clutter that inevitably builds up over time. As I sort through closets, cabinets, and drawers, I ask myself three key questions: “When was the last time I used this?” “Have I ever used it?” “Do I realistically think I’ll need it in the future?”   Most of us can relate to the internal tug-of-war over whether to keep or toss an item. Maybe it’s the jeans we hope to fit into someday or a pile of random cords we save "just in case" they become useful. These "just in case" items pile up, filling our spaces and often becoming more of a burden than a benefit. I was reminded of how differently people perceive clutter during an interaction with a friend. I used her “decorative” hand towels in the bathroom, only to discover they weren’t meant to be touched. The “real...

A Journey of Healing and Growth As we approach the end of another year, it’s natural to pause and reflect on the lessons we've learned, the challenges we've faced, and the personal growth we've experienced. In my previous journal prompts, I encouraged you to explore what you've learned throughout the year and how you can sit with your feelings during times of loss. Now, as we prepare for the year ahead, I invite you to dive even deeper. This next prompt and accompanying worksheet will help you reflect on any losses you've encountered, embrace the silence that often comes with them, and begin the vital work of healing. Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Toward 2025 As you reflect on the challenges, victories, and losses of 2024, take a moment to consider how they’ve shaped you.  What is one lesson or experience from this year that you want to carry with you into 2025? What is one thing from this year that you’re ready to leave behind? What is one thing you now want to ac...

"Heart in Silence" is a poem that reflects my experience with loss—something most of us can relate to in different ways. Whether it’s a person, a place, a moment, or a feeling, losing something we care about can leave us disoriented. Writing this poem helped me make sense of my emotions and reconnect with the parts of myself shaped by that loss. Of course, writing isn’t the only way to process feelings. You might find value in painting, surfing, hiking, reading philosophy, or any other activity that helps you express and define your emotions. The key is to honor your feelings while healing. If you don’t deal with your emotions, trust and believe, they’ll eventually deal with you! Heart in Silence It was like a sacred song      Soft      Enveloping In a moment, it was gone— Suddenly, Without      Warning. Putting on my bravest face, One foot      In front of the other. Sometimes, I think that I’m okay. Although,    ...

  Intention Setting: How to Reflect on the Past Year and Plan for a Healthier Future It’s that time of year again. Most people would agree that 2024 was eventful, to say the least. In the therapy room, I like to use this time to reflect with my patients on the past year and review the intentions they set at the beginning of it. Patients are often surprised and encouraged by the growth and progress they’ve made. Instead of New Year’s resolutions, I prefer the concept of “intention setting.” Why Intention Setting is Different Intention setting differs from traditional resolutions in fundamental ways. Resolutions, by definition, sound rigid—an all-or-nothing approach that can set you up for failure. For instance, the cliché resolutions to hit the gym or quit a bad habit (while noble goals) are often abandoned before they truly begin. When we take an all-or-nothing approach, we fail to account for life’s unpredictable variables. While we can control our actions and decisions, there are...

  The weeks following an election can stir up a mix of intense emotions for many. In my therapy practice, a common thread has emerged: patients frequently express feelings of anxiety, anger, disillusionment, and even hope. These conversations reveal not just political divides but also the deeply personal ways societal change impacts individuals. This past election, in particular, brought the most profound intensity of emotions I have ever encountered, both in the therapy room and beyond. As therapists, we hold space for the unique experiences of every person, offering an outlet to process the uncertainty, connection, or division they feel during these times. In this post, I’d like to explore how the political climate affects mental health, share strategies for coping, and remind us all that it’s okay to feel deeply during moments of change. The Psychological Impact of Political Outcomes Political outcomes significantly affect mental health. According to the Stress in America 2024 ...