Personal Growth & Wellness Resources

We All Just Want to Be Seen
Confession Erin M Confession Erin M

We All Just Want to Be Seen

We all long to be truly seen—not judged, not sized up, but witnessed for who we are. Yet in the busyness of life, it’s easy to feel invisible, unheard, or misunderstood. This reflection explores the universal ache to belong, the ways we hide or perform to protect ourselves, and the healing power of allowing ourselves—and others—to be fully seen.

Read More
Existentialism & Meaning
Reflections Erin M Reflections Erin M

Existentialism & Meaning

Frankl, the creator of Logotherapy, explains that survival is based on meaning and that the absence of meaning is attributed to the vast array of mental health concerns which individuals can experience, such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Fundamental elements of human existence involve pain, guilt and death or as Frankl termed it, the Tragic Triad . Logotherapy promotes that individuals embody a Tragic Optimism, that is, despite what they are faced with, their stance or attitude towards the experience can dramatically change their interpretation of the experience. An individual who struggles to embody this optimism instead suffers and becomes stuck in what Frankl termed as an Existential Vacuum

Read More
Grief
Confession Erin M Confession Erin M

Grief

I’ve come to understand that true gratitude, joy, and beauty are only fully realized when we allow ourselves to crawl into the hidden spaces of grief, to kneel beneath its weight and sit with its darkness. It is in this descent that we learn the paradox of sorrow—that only by facing our deepest losses can we truly understand what it means to live.

Read More
Home is You
Books Kait Schmidek Books Kait Schmidek

Home is You

This book had a tremendous impact on my life, specifically through a breakup, and I find myself returning to it repeatedly even though I have already read it multiple times. The book's concept centers around the idea that the most important home you can ever build is the home you build within yourself. That depending on others to build homes for us can be risky as it puts our value and worthiness in their hands.

Read More
The Alchemy of Books: Unleashing the Magic of Words
Books Kait Schmidek Books Kait Schmidek

The Alchemy of Books: Unleashing the Magic of Words

I've always been a big fan of the idea that "less is more." Even though I sometimes struggle with it myself – I admit I can be wordy at times – words have held a special place in my heart for as long as I can remember. I am drawn to the charm of short pieces such as essays, aphorisms, poetry, proverbs, and song lyrics. It's impressive how the careful arrangement of such few words can leave such a profound impact.

Read More
Unlocking Positive Change: A Mindset Revolution
Books Kait Schmidek Books Kait Schmidek

Unlocking Positive Change: A Mindset Revolution

I cannot stop raving about this little book of serious gems! Brianna Weist's 101 Essays to Change the Way You Think is a true masterpiece that has the potential to reshape your perspective on life, love, and the human experience. Her collection of essays is a profound exploration of the human condition, beautifully crafted in 101 thought-provoking and introspective pieces. The book is a must-read if you're looking for inspiration and a deeper understanding of yourself and the world. After reading each essay, I am left with a profoundly nourishing feeling.

Read More

“I needed to write, to express myself through written language not only so that others might hear me but so that I could hear myself.”

— Gabor Maté