Have you ever caught yourself engaged in a silent conversation with yourself and felt a twinge of  embarrassment. Don’t worry; you’re not alone.

In the muted backdrop of my daily life, I, Ella, carried a secret burden that felt like a relentless weight.

Recently, I learned about “automatic negative thoughts” (ANTs). You might recognize these thoughts: they are the sort that just pop into your mind and douse it in a bucket of negativity.

When the words self-talk come to mind, what do you think about? Do you see yourself repeating affirmations in the mirror in the morning? Or do you see yourself walking down the street, muttering as you keep your composure?

Throughout my mental health journey, I’ve seen a lot of inspirational messages in aesthetics images scattered throughout classrooms and google image search results.

As someone who struggles with depression, I often feel like some days are pointless, or without purpose.

Have you ever dropped something on the ground, spilled something, got caught on a door handle, and immediately shouted out (internally to yourself, or out loud)

What happens when someone tells us something over and over? Sometimes these words get down into our soul and we believe what they tell us.

It is a common idea that a new year means new goals. This is going to be the year that we change ourselves. This is going to be the year that we shape ourselves into a better being. 

We all know that feeling of being startled. Maybe your friend jumped out of a closet to scare you. Maybe you just ran away from a barking dog.

Have you ever experienced responding to someone in a snappy way without meaning to?

There it is, U. Well, not quite your “U”, since this is a generalized diagram, but hopefully it will serve as the base for visualization of your “U”.

Validating emotions can be a great tool in connecting with others and showing up in a way that makes ourselves and others feel good, but it can be tricky to do! Here are some steps that may help.

Have you ever wondered if the hard things that you experience in life are helpful? Or if they just happen, and beat you down?

Words have an incredible impact on our lives. Even just a few words can make or break a relationship. In the realm of love and relationships, there exists a unique love language known as words of affirmation. 

I find that the best way to check in not only with myself but with others as well is by simply showing forms of compassion.

Can you think of a time where you blew up at something or someone for no reason? Try to remember how you were feeling then. Were you truly upset at that situation or something else?

In a recent Hey, I’m Here Squad meeting, we dove into the concept that healing isn’t always straightforward- it can sometimes present a double-edged sword.

In our fast-paced, interconnected world, showing care to others is a crucial, often forgotten aspect. Whether it's lending a helping hand to a friend in need or practicing acts of kindness towards strangers, extending care can create a positive impact on individuals and society as a whole. 

In your most stressful moments, what do you do? Do you isolate yourself from others? Lash out? Or do you take a step back and take deep breaths?